2014-590-E Arts - Triangle Youth Ballet for 2014 Arts Grant Agreement $1,430

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DocuSign Envelope ID: FB3E15D4-0551-47E1-B8EF-3FB72llC37F0 the opening night of its Chapel Hill High School and Carolina Theatre performance series to special needs audience-goers. The 2015 season will mark the 18a'year of The Nutcracker special needs concert program. TYB defines"special needs"as those who have mental and/or physical developmental disabilities as well as those who face financial hardship. TYB's community outreach director contacts more than 50 schools, youth homes, senior centers,rehabilitation centers, and community based organizations in the Triangle in an effort to generate awareness and make this performance available to as many special needs people as possible. Triangle Youth Ballet offers a block of tickets to these free performances to organizations that work directly with the special needs populations. A representative from each organization must reserve their passes online and pick them up from will-call the day of the performance with their group. Though the show is a dress rehearsal, it is still presented at its highest quality and gives the audience the full Nutcracker experience. The dancers are in full costume,the Tchaikovsky Virtuosi orchestra performs live,and the sets,props, and lighting that make the ballet come to life are in place. Because TYB recognizes that some people with mental and developmental challenges may require frequent assistance throughout a live performance,it may be difficult for them to attend a traditional theater production.To accommodate the needs of this audience TYB arranges to have additional ushers to assist with seating. Some seats are removed to provide additional space for those who are in wheelchairs. A special program is designed which includes enlarged font size to accommodate those who are visually impaired,as well as an autograph section for the post-performance meet-and-greet between the cast and the audience members.The post-performance meet-and-greet is always met with great enthusiasm by both the audience and cast.Additionally,because the cast primarily comprised of youth ages 7-18,they are provided instructions on sensitivity and how to approach and start conversations with the special needs population,especially those with mental or developmental challenges. ARTISTS Dancers-Under the artistic direction of Lauren Lorentz de Haas The Nutcracker cast is made up of 100 performers from Orange and Durham counties. In August of each year,dancers are invited to audition for the show. The dancers are between the ages of 8 and 18 and come from at least six area dance schools. The Nutcracker performance group casts a senior(ages 12-18)and junior(ages 11+)company. This distinction helps determine performance roles,with leading roles, such as the Sugar Plum Fair and Snow Queen,given to members of the senior company. In addition to the young dancers, adult community members have the opportunity to perform in supporting roles such as revelers and maids. These performers are dancers and non-dancers and add to the diversification of the cast in terms of age and performance experience. Musicians—The Tchaikovsky Virtuosi,led by conductor Andrew McAfee,is a 34-piece orchestra composed of music students at UNC-Chapel Hill and other local musicians who are looking for professional performance opportunities. The 2015 season will be Tchaikovsky Virtuosi's 8a'year performing live with the Triangle Youth Ballet. PERFORMANCES Special Needs Performance A Special Needs Performance B Hanes Theater,Chapel Hill High School Carolina Theatre Chapel Hill,NC Durham,NC Friday,December 4,2015 Friday,December 11,2015 **These dates are tentative. Confirmed dates will be shared with the Arts Commission as soon as they are known. 2