Education

PRESCHOOL/ELEMENTARY

Story What?
Preschool Storytime. Come and be a part of creating a BRAND NEW STORY! Use your imagination to help our storyteller come up with characters and activities. Watch our artist draw the story as it grows.

When: 10-11am, the first Wednesday of each month – 4/4, 5/2, 6/6, 8/1 and 9/5. (No session 7/4.)
Where: 4th St. Theater @ Java Joe’s Coffee House, 214 4th Street, Des Moines
Cost: $10 per adult/child pair, $5 per additional guest, children under 1 FREE

Information: 515-288-3672 or jbetts@desmoinessocialclub.org

Dance Baby Dance
You come, you dance, you play, you laugh. Participate in group activities or do your own thing. Go to the lobby and take a breather from the action, maybe read some books. Come back in, dance it out.

What? Your kid doesn’t sit still? No problem. Group activities will be geared toward crowd in attendance including activities for older kids like limbo and group dances AND for younger kids like follow the leader and freeze dance.

Learn more about Dance Baby Dance here.

STUDENTS

All Metro Student Show (June and July 2012) - Open to students of all ages
This summer will mark our third annual student play. Our mission is to provide students with challenges beyond what educational institutions would traditionally offer.  Students of all ages participate as actors, staff and crew in a professional theatre experience, rehearsing through the month of June and culminating in a limited run of performances at the end of July at the Kirkwood Theatre, 400 Walnut Street, Des Moines. In summer of 2012, Naima Nicholson will be directing The Causcasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht. Auditions and crew interviews will be held in April 2012. Please contact Naima with any questions or to sponsor this summer’s show at naima.nicholson@gmail.com.

Previous shows:
July 28-29-30-31, 2011
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut adapted by Eric Simonson directed by Yvette Zarod Hermann

July 27-28-29-30, 2010
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis directed by Marnie Strate

My Story My Song – Arts Learning Workshop, Ages 12+
“My Story My Song” is a poetry- and spoken word- based residency program. Residencies typically include two teaching artists in the classroom once or twice a week. Students ages 12 and up reflect on their respective backgrounds, write, read their work, workshop and direct a variety of semi-autobiographical performances. This workshop spans at least six sessions to successfully develop a writing community and allow for a rehearsal process before the culminating Poetry Slam/Cafe/Show/Reading event, planned and hosted by the student participants.  Principals, teachers, or parents please contact Yvette Zarod Hermann with any questions or to hear about previous programs at mystorymysong@gmail.com.

Shakespeare is Elementary! – Arts Learning Workshop, Ages 8-12
“Shakespeare is Elementary” introduces third, fourth and fifth graders to Shakespeare’s plays and language, and culminates with a presentation of Shakespearean scenes for an audience of their peers, teachers, and principal. Residencies typically include two teaching artists over a three-day period.

Contact Yvette Zarod Hermann at shakespearedmsc@gmail.com to schedule your spring 2012 workshop now!

Customized Arts Learning Workshops for students – Any Age
Our teaching artists are happy to meet with educators and stakeholders to provide a quality Arts Learning experience that meets Iowa Core Curriculum standards in Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, 21st Century Skills and Health/Wellness. We can create an arts learning program based on each school or classroom teacher’s needs and learning goals.

Customized Residencies
Residencies are multi-day workshops, designed to build mastery of a teacher-selected concept or group of skills. Longer-term residencies can be designed to meet curricular and graduation requirements.

Partners in Learning
Iowa Arts Council
Metro Arts Alliance
Cowles Montessori School
The Downtown School
Pace Day Program at Orchard Place