In conjunction with Hartford Performs, Connecticut Ballet presents a 75-minute condensed version of a full-length ballet or mixed bill suitable for presentation to elementary and middle school students.

Special thanks to the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation for supporting Share the Magic 2025-2026!

Tickets are available to Hartford Public Schools and other educational institutions at a heavily subsidized cost of $5.00-$10.00 per student (chaperones are free). School districts cover the cost of bus tran-sportation. Artistic Director Brett Raphael provides the narration and oversees a stimulating question-and-answer session immediately following the performance.

​

Here's what one educator wrote about her student's experience attending 'Sleeping Beauty' at The Bushnell:

​

Although some students had preconceived notions of what ballet was like, none of them were prepared for the experience they had. We had a lively discussion after the performance of the costumes, the scenery, the dancers, the different ballet shoes, and even learning the difference between 'brava,' 'bravo,' and 'brave' as a means of shouting approval to the dancers. The kids were enthralled with the performance, and loved everything about it!

​

​

​TAKE A FIELD TRIP TO SEE 'THE NUTCRACKER'!

 

Connecticut Ballet will present our special NUTCRACKER student performance with accompaniment by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra at The Bushnell on Friday, December 19 from 10:00-11:15am (75 minutes with narration). Dismissal by 11:30am enables students to be back in time for the lunch waves!

​

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's classic score comes to life in Brett Raphael's spectacular version with narration. Students will be given a behind-the-scenes look at how the scenery and costumes and lighting contribute to a theatrical production and help move the narrative along.

​

Presented in cooperation with Hartford Performs, tickets are available to educators and Hartford Public School groups at a subsidized rate of $5-$10/student. For info, email us at ctballet@ix.netcom.com.

​

​For public, private, or parochial school groups other than Hartford public schools, you are also welcome to enjoy the 'Share the Magic' series. Contact us directly to book a student field trip (10 or more students) @$10/ticket. We require a minimum of one chaperone per 10 students and we provide one complimentary chaperone ticket per group. Please email ctballet@ix.netcom.com or call 860-293-1039.

 

Share the Magic programs align with the following common core and arts standards:

​

English Language Arts Standards

Grade 2: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details:
•  Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
•  Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

 

Grade 3: Writing Standards: Text Types and Purposes:
•  Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
•  Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

Arts Standards

Demonstrate appropriate audience behavior in watching dance performances; discuss their opinions about the dance with their peers in a supportive and constructive way.

​

Grade 2: Dance: Content Standard 7: Make Connections:

• Respond to a dance using another art form; explain the connections between the dance and their response to it (for example, making a painting about a dance and describing the connections.

Grades 3 & 4: Dance: Content Standard 4: 

• Analytical and Evaluative Thinking Skills: Demonstrate appropriate audience behavior in watching dance performances; discuss their opinions about the dance with their peers in a supportive and constructive way.

Grades 3 & 4: Dance: Content Standard 3:

• Understand how dance creates and communicates meaning: Observe and discuss how dance is different from other forms of human movement (such as sports, everyday gestures).

​