Apr. 9 - 10, 2025
Wed. Apr. 9, 2025 11a.m.
Thu. Apr. 10, 2025 11a.m.
Genre
Performances for Young Audiences
The concept of Dance – Speak is designed to introduce younger audiences in the United States to a world of imagination, lateral thinking, stylization, and symbolic hand gestures that are at the core of classical dance from the Indian subcontinent. Resting on the idea “more with less,” the language of Indian classical dance comes alive. Through this dance educative session, a younger audience will get a unique opportunity to see in real time Malavika Sarukkai, one of the legends of Indian classical dance, perform and speak. The artist will present with two performing musicians on stage excerpts from the production BEEJA - EARTH SEED, to be premiered as a full production at the Kennedy Center as part of the festival. In the excerpt, the Deer, the Wise One of the Living Planet speak of the past and look into the future touching upon ideas of interdependence, harmony, innocence, and gratefulness. Set against a backdrop of compelling emotions, the excerpt will also explore aspects of human apathy and irresponsibility, as it investigates passion, greed, and aggression. The Wise Tree looks on, standing its ground. The excerpts will come alive through poetry, music, and rhythm together with an ambisonic sound design. BEEJA - EARTH SEED is a celebration of the diversity of Planet Earth and cautions us to reflect on the footprint left by humanity on this—our Living Planet.
April 9-10, 2025
Family Theater, recommended for grades 8-12
Estimated duration is approximately one hour.
We’re thrilled that you’ve joined us for a performance this season! We would like to hear from your students and you about the experience. After the performance, follow these steps to share feedback:
Each survey will take approximately five minutes to complete. The results will be used to inform future Kennedy Center Education program planning.鈥疶hank you in advance for sharing your valuable perspective!
Gain an understanding of how social and emotional learning (SEL) and the arts reinforce the necessary skills to grow and develop in different settings. Learn how school-family-community partnerships contribute to equitable, trusting, and creative learning environments.
Bharatanatyam is a form of classical Indian art that, when translated into English, signifies the combination of expression, rhythm, music, and dance. In this video, get an introduction to a few foundational Bharatanatyam postures and dance steps (Adavus). Watch as teaching artist and dancer Deepa Mani performs the steps to a traditional song, showing how facial expressions, hand gestures, and footwork can tell a rich story.
The music of India is diverse, but there is still a distinct 鈥渟ound鈥 that makes Indian music unmistakable-- use this resource to learn the basics of Indian music.
Explore India and its multiple cultures and the art they produce. Listen to experienced musicians perform tabla beats, learn about the Bharatanatyam dance, and catch a movie produced by Bollywood, one of the largest centers of film production in the world.
Professional development for educators. Summer intensives for young artists. Teaching artist guided activities. Performances for young audiences. Classroom lesson plans. Arts-focused digital media.
Kennedy Center Education offers a wide array of resources and experiences that inspire, excite, and empower students and young artists, plus the tools and connections to help educators incorporate the arts into classrooms of all types.
Our current teaching and learning priorities include:
A robust collection of articles, videos, and podcasts that allow students of all ages to explore and learn about the arts online.
In-person and virtual performances, along with supporting educational content to help guide learning.
Current approaches to arts integration in the classroom, inclusion, rigor, and adopting an arts integration approach at the school and district level.
An asynchronous online course that invites educators and administrators to think about our students’ disabilities as social and cultural identities that enrich our classrooms and communities.
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
