Youth Voices: Poetry Project |
In Spring 2023, Creative Writing students at the Creative and Performing Arts High School (CAPA) worked with writer Tammi Markowitz through a series of creative writing workshops. These students produced poetry that dancers from Philadelphia Ballet interpreted. Produced by Big Picture Alliance, this film captures the connections between the dancers’ movements and students’ writing, demonstrating how these two artistic mediums inform and inspire one another.
Thank you to teachers Tammi Markowitz and Rachel Harr for their work with these young writers.
Juliana Coleman
Sofia Degginger
Alyssa Nguyen
Mya Santano
Alin Spearman
Natalie Spina
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Youth Voices: 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Octavia participated in Philadelphia Ballet’s High School Choreographic Mentorship Program, during which she developed her creative perspective as a choreographer but also gained valuable performance experience. 5,6,7,8 is a film exploring the origins of her love for dance and her father’s perspective on how dance has played an important role in her life. Octavia is currently a senior at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Class of 2023.
“Once a dancer, always a dancer, and I will always continue to be a dancer.”
Octavia Johnson
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Youth Voices: Exploring Storytelling Through Mask-Making
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Costumes are a crucial part of storytelling. Many ballets incorporate elaborate masks to identify characters and to contribute to the rich visual experience of their productions. In partnership with Philadelphia Ballet, Teen Sketch students learned about the use of masks in ancient myths, modern storytelling, and classical ballet. Students created masks out of a variety of materials, including clay, papier mâché, and recycled material, exploring the duality of utopia and dystopia. As part of this partnership, students attended Philadelphia Ballet’s program The Sleeping Beauty, which features many examples of costuming with masks like Carabosse’s sidekicks, The White Cat, Puss in Boots, Blue Bird, and the Wolf.
Vikki Sloviter is a Philadelphia-based fine art portrait and ballet photographer whose work showcases the artistry, technique, athleticism, and beauty of the ballet dancer’s body. Vikki has photographed dancers from companies around the country. Her Instagram handle is @vikkisloviterphoto.
Artists: Justina L., Samira J. Aryanna S, Carolina M.
Dancers: Thays Golz, Zecheng Liang, Denis Maciel
Costume Collaboration
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Third year fashion design students at Moore College of Art & Design, led by Program Head Daniel Velasco, worked with Philadelphia Ballet to create original Sleeping Beauty Bluebird pas de deux costumes. Through Community Education and Public Program collaborations, Philadelphia Ballet and Moore offer educational access for students that will be the next generation of artisans.
Dancers featured in the film: Kathryn Manger, Soloist, and Peter Weil, The Liz and Henry Harris Soloist.
| STUDENTS Kieu Tieu – Lead Designer Alyssa Lucas Trinity Alexander Tania Crowell Lauryn Blackston |
FACULTY Daniel Velasco – Program Head Dom Streater ARTISTIC ADVISORS Holly Hynes Wendy Levin |
High School Choreographic and Music Fellows
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Cyrano Rosentrater
Justin Duong
Music Mentor,
John B Hedges
Kayla Bailey
Kaylee Scott
Choreographic Mentor,
Jon Baldwin