Performing Artists Cultural Visitors Program

Program Description

Modern Dance – February 2009 and September 2009

Dancers will experience a variety of open classes and private master classes with the great American modern dance companies. These could include Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Mark Morris Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. In the evenings, dancers will attend the Fall for Dance Festival (New York, NY), a series of modern dance performances by major US and international dance companies which takes place over 11 days. This program will take place in Washington, D.C. and New York City, NY during February 2009 and late September 2009.

Theatre – Technical Theatre – March 2009

Theatre Technicians will have the opportunity to participate in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) annual conference that includes workshops, demonstrations, and networking opportunities. Participants will also visit performance venues and meet with theater technicians and designers to discuss their work. Participants should expect to have the opportunity to work with a sound or lighting technician on a specific project, light or sound plot. In 2009, this program will take place in Washington, D.C. and Cleveland, Ohio in mid-March.

Hip-Hop Dance – July 2009

Participants in this program will work with renowned hip-hop dancers, exploring the history of hip-hop culture and dance in the United States. Participants will attend the International Illadelph Legends Festival (Philadelphia, PA) sponsored by Rennie Harris Puremovement. Illadelph takes place over 14 days in July and includes master classes in hip-hop dance, lectures, and demonstrations. This program will take place in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA during July 2009.

Theatre – Actors – Spring 2009

Participants in the Theatre Actor program will receive an overview of United States acting technique with a specific emphasis on actor training both professionally and in a university setting. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with the staff and Artistic Directors of a variety of major theatre companies in Washington, DC and another city in the United States. This program will take place in Washington, D.C. and a soon to be chosen second city during the spring of 2009.

Classical Music Performance – Summer 2009

Participants in this program will take lessons from professional musicians such as members of the National Symphony Orchestra and/or the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Participants may also attend festivals and learn about other types of training programs for classical musicians here in the United States. Evening performances may include classical and contemporary classical music. String musicians preferred. Participants should expect to visit and participate in a summer festival including master classes and attending performances. One possibility may be the Strings International Summer Festival, which takes place over 14 days in mid-June 2009. This program will take place in Washington, D.C. and a soon to be chosen second city.

Theatre – Directors/Playwrights – July 2009

Directors and Playwrights will be able to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Summer Intensives in Playwriting or Directing. Participants will be able to see several performances in different genres of theatre, and should expect to work one-on-one with a director or playwright to stage a scene. This program will take place in Washington, D.C. and a soon to be chosen second city.