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Traverse City area school children visit Interlochen campus for matinee performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" by the Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Company

More than 800 grade-school students and their teachers travelled to the Interlochen campus on February 13 to enjoy a free performance of the timeless full-length ballet.

Middle school students attend a performance of "Sleeping Beauty"
An Interlochen dance student performs "Sleeping Beauty"
Middle school students look at a Sleeping Beauty program

More than 800 grade-school children and teachers from eleven Traverse City Area schools travelled to Corson Auditorium on the Interlochen Center for the Arts campus on Thursday, February 13, for a free matinee performance of The Sleeping Beauty by the Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Company.

"We are thrilled to welcome so many local school children to the Interlochen campus for this magical performance," said Camille Colatosti, Provost of Interlochen Center for the Arts. "We hope this will be the first of many times that they take part in our enriching programs and performances."

Based on the classic tale by the Brothers Grimm, The Sleeping Beauty tells the story of a princess doomed to a 100-year slumber. A century later, Prince Florimund dreams of the sleeping princess and embarks on a quest to save her from the evil fairy, Carabosse.

The Interlochen Arts Academy Dance Company's breathtaking production features intricate, hand-stitched costumes, captivating scenic design, choreography inspired by Marius Petipa's 1890 production, and Tchaikovsky's timeless score brought to life by the Arts Academy Orchestra.

Interlochen staff created an original curriculum guide about The Sleeping Beauty, with insights on the historical, social, and cultural aspects of the production. The guide was shared with all participating teachers in December so that they could prepare students for the performance. Kids Commute, Interlochen Public Radio's popular weekday classical music program, featured music from the ballet this week to further highlight the performance.

Participating schools included the Old Mission Peninsula School, the Pathfinder School, the Children's House, Traverse City Christian School, Cherry Knoll Elementary, Eastern Elementary, Long Lake Elementary, Silver Lake Elementary, Montessori at Glenn Loomis, Traverse Heights Elementary, and Frankfort Elementary.

Upcoming performances of The Sleeping Beauty will take place Thursday, Feb. 13, and Friday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a free performance on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m., as part of Winterlochen, Interlochen's family-friendly festival featuring arts exploration and creative fun for children of all ages. (No tickets are needed for the Feb. 15 performance.) The production will travel to the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor on Feb. 28, with a matinee performance for Petoskey area sixth graders, and to Midland Center for the Arts on April 24.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tickets.interlochen.org or call the Interlochen Box Office at 800.681.5920. Tickets for the Bay Harbor performance can be purchased at greatlakescfa.org by calling the box office at 231.439.2610.

About Interlochen Center for the Arts
A global destination for artists and arts enthusiasts, Interlochen Center for the Arts comprises Interlochen Arts Camp, a world-class multidisciplinary summer arts program; Interlochen Arts Academy, the nation's premier fine arts boarding high school; Interlochen Presents, a producer of more than 600 annual performances by celebrated guest artists, Interlochen students, and faculty; Interlochen Public Radio, two listener-supported, 24-hour public radio stations (classical music and news); and Interlochen College of Creative Arts, a convener for lifelong arts education. Since 1928, Interlochen has served a mission to ignite and propel a lifelong passion for the arts. For more information, visit interlochen.org.

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