MARTINSVILLE, Va. (March 5, 2025) — Dancers from the Richmond Ballet Studio Company performed “Cinderella” for 1,141 elementary students on March 3 at schools in Martinsville and Henry County. These performances were part of Piedmont Arts’ educational outreach programming and were funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Students from Campbell Court, Sanville, Albert Harris and Mt. Olivet elementary schools saw performances of this classic tale with a twist. This version was told from the viewpoint of the titular character’s bossy stepsister, but retained the well-known plot of a kindhearted girl who is treated unfairly and perseveres with the help of her fairy godmother.
The performances were filled with lots of comedic moments and offered students a compelling introduction to the language of ballet through a combination of storytelling, audience participation and dance. The dancers engaged the students throughout the performance by encouraging positive communication and including them in the story by teaching them a special dance, how to conduct music and how to execute a proper bow. After each performance, the dancers held a Q&A where they fielded questions from students about pointe shoes and how to stand in them, gravity-defying lifts and the behind-the-scenes magic of a quick costume change.
Richmond Ballet is the state ballet of Virginia. This premier dance organization champions ballet and is dedicated to awakening, uplifting and uniting human spirits through the power of dance. Dancers in its Studio Company represent the highest level of the professional training program of the School of Richmond Ballet.
Piedmont Arts’ educational outreach programs are presented free of charge to students and schools. The museum reaches more than 5,000 students per year with its programming. To make a donation to the museum’s Kay Smith Arts Education Fund in support of this programming, click here.
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