Twinkle-toed young ballet dancers, families keen for some festive fun and aspiring artists are all invited to get into the festive spirit with English National Ballet’s series of workshops this month.
The company brings the enchanting Christmas ballet Nutcracker to Milton Keynes Theatre from Wednesday, November 23 until Saturday November 26 and the creatives are determined to ensure everyone can get closer to the onstage action.
Eager young dancers aged 11 to 13 have the opportunity to learn from English National Ballet’s professionals during a youth ballet session on Saturday November 26, between 9.30am and 11am. The creative workshop will involve students learning extracts of choreography from Nutcracker, while also exploring Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score. Places are limited and cost £12 per child.
If you love to draw and are inspired by the beautiful lines and shapes made by the graceful bodies of ballet dancers, you won’t want to miss the chance to participate in an exclusive live drawing event with English National Ballet’s dancers.
On Friday November 25 at 10am, specialist visual artist Heidi Wigmore will lead an open discussion on the nature of live drawing and the various techniques used to capture the moving body. Following this, a drawing session will be held in the auditorium of Milton Keynes Theatre as the dancers take their daily ballet class, providing participants with a unique viewpoint of the dancers.
As if that was not enough, during the afternoon session at MK Gallery, attending artists will be able to develop their initial sketches, further explore the human body in movement and receive professional feedback on their work.
Tickets for the English National Ballet Live Drawing Day are £40. Participants must be aged at least 16 years old and provide their own dry drawing materials.
Finally, families with young children are invited to get creative during the Nutcracker Family Art & Design Workshop on Saturday November 26 from 11.30am until 12.30pm.
Suitable for children aged between 5 and 10 years old with an accompanying adult, the workshops encourage plenty of inventiveness and creativity inspired by the Nutcracker adventure. Tickets cost £30 (includes one child and one adult; additional places are available) and all materials are provided.
Click here for more information on the programme of events on offer from English National Ballet and to book.
