Programs for schools

Dance demonstrations are held in conjunction with our public performances at over two dozen Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union, and Greenville County schools throughout the year. In 2023-2024, Ballet Spartanburg served over 10,000 students in our community. School shows for 2024-2025 include The Swan Princess, The Sensory Sensitive Nutcracker, Peter and the Wolf, The Mighty Casey, and STEAM and THE SOUND OF LEARNING. Click the image to register for one or more of our upcoming programs. 

In Theater Shows:

	The Swan Princess October 18, 2024 11:30 AM  Chapman Cultural Center Theater Cost: $10 for students & chaperones. Teachers no charge.    Based on the full-length ballet, Swan Lake, this shortened version takes the audience on an imaginary journey. The Swan Princess is the story of the lovely Princess Odette, who wanders by a beautiful lake and is cursed by the wicked Von Rotherbart and turned into a swan. Will Prince Siegfried's promise of love break the curse or will Princess Odette remain a swan forever? Directed by Lona Gomez.
	Sensory Sensitive the Nutcracker December 13, 2024 10:00 AM  Twichell Auditorium, Converse University  No cost thanks to generous sponsors in our community!    This performance is specifically designed to be accessible and equitable for children with multi-sensory and multi-challenging needs. Accommodations include lowered music volume, no flashing lights, and no loud noises or music crescendos. For 34 years, families have celebrated the joy and excitement of Clara's adventures with her Nutcracker Prince. With new snow costumes for the iconic snow scene, and snow falling like an icy, white, curtain, Christmas begins with the tradition of The Nutcracker, directed by Carlos Agudelo.
	Peter and the wolf February 4 & 5  9:30 AM & 11:00 AM  Chapman Cultural Center Theater  No cost thanks to our very generous sponsor!    Set to the fabulous score by composer Sergei Prokofiev, this ballet is the perfect introduction to ballet! Thanks to a generous sponsor, this performance is FREE of charge to Spartanburg County students in Kindergarten - 4th grade. Study guides and grade-level appropriate activities that connect to the classroom curriculum are provided to each registered school. Reserve your seats early for this popular children's program! Directed by Carlos Agudelo.    Thank you to Susu and George Dean Johnson, Jr. for graciously funding Peter and the Wolf. We are appreciative and grateful to the Johnsons for their continued efforts to increase engagement in the arts through education.
	The Mighty Casey March 20 & 21, 2025 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM Chapman Cultural Center Theater Cost: $10 per student & chaperones. Teachers are no charge.  *March 20th, 9:30 AM performance SOLD OUT   Casey and the Mudville Nine are ready to knock this ballet out of the park! Choreographer Lisa De Ribere based the ballet on the poem, Casey at the Bat and Casey-Twenty Years Later, originally for Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. This will be Spartanburg's first baseball ballet! Reserve early because this performance will sell out. Directed by Lona Gomez.

In School Shows:

STEAM and The Sound of Learning

Ballet Spartanburg's STEAM and The Sound of Learning is the MUSE Machine program offered to all MUSE Machine schools for the 2024-2025 school year. Performances happen at YOUR school and a variety of dates are available. This STEAM-based program infuses the Arts through dance for students in grades 3-8. This outreach program is available to any MUSE Machine school during the school year. Pre and post-activities, as well as, SC College and Career Standards for Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency and STEAM standards are embedded in each lesson. These are available through a study guide provided to each registered school. Teachers who use the study guide will see students exhibit measurable and positive results through pre and/or post-dance activities that integrate the science concepts. Students will demonstrate a broad understanding of the four concepts that define the Profile of the SC Graduate: creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. RESERVE YOUR TIME AND DATE NOW. 

If your school is interested in any of our educational programs, please contact Susan Woodham, Outreach Coordinator at swoodham@balletspartanburg.org or call 864.583.0339.