Alliance Theatre & High Museum of Art to Host 2017 TODDLER TAKEOVER Arts Festival

The ALLIANCE THEATRE and High Museum of Art have announced the 2017 Toddler Takeover, an arts festival for the very young, October 13 & 14, at the Woodruff Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now at alliancetheatre.org/events/toddler-takeover-2017.

This one-of-a-kind experience developed for children from birth through 5 years old will feature performances of four productions of the Alliance's Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young, infant and toddler tours and art-making at the High Museum of Art, and much more. Plus, enjoy the return of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Music for the Very Young (as an optional add-on while tickets last).

During the festival, the Woodruff Arts Center will open its doors to the youngest members of our community with a goal to inspire the next generation through world-class artistic experiences and arts-based workshops.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Very Young (newborn - 5): FREE

Big Kids (6-17): Day Pass $5; 2-Day Pass: $10

Adult: Day Pass $30; 2-Day Pass: $50

FEATURED PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITIONS:

Roob and Noob

ALLIANCE THEATRE's Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young performance

Friday, October 13, at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. & 12 p.m.

Written and Directed by Andy Gaukel

Meet Roob and Noob: two overly curious scientists who love nothing more than discovering something new. Join them on an interactive adventure, as they build machines from simple objects and explore the wonder and sensations of each of the four seasons.

Waiting for Balloon

ALLIANCE THEATRE's Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young performance

Friday, October 13, at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Written by T Marq

Directed by Rosemary Newcott

Two childlike hobo-clown characters are waiting near the railroad tracks for "balloon". The problem is that neither of them knows exactly what "balloon" is. Through delightful trial and error, exploration and interaction with the audience, the two piece together what makes a balloon a balloon and celebrate all that is discovered while we wait! This is a joyous introduction to gentle clowning and the joy of creating puppets from found objects.

The Lizard & El Sol

ALLIANCE THEATRE's Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young performance

Saturday, October 14, at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., and 12 p.m.

Directed by Rosemary Newcott

An interactive adventure based on a famous Mexican folktale about a time when El Sol, (the Sun), disappeared from the sky. Young ones and their caregivers will help the tenacious Lizard find the sleepy El Sol and finally coax him out of his hiding place. This tropical tale promises to culminate in a grand festival to celebrate sunshine and friendship and all the joy that life can bring!

Beautiful Blackbird

ALLIANCE THEATRE's Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young performance

Saturday, October 14, at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Written by Theroun D'Arcy Patterson

Composed by Eugene H. Russell IV and Naima Carter Russell

Directed by Donya Washington

Inspired by the award-winning Ashley Bryan picture book, this rhythmic play explores the universal idea that true beauty is found within. Adapted from a Zambian folk tale, this story traces Blackbird's courageous journey to share his truth that "color on the outside is not what's on the inside." Featuring an original jazzy score and inventive creative movement, Beautiful Blackbird brings Ashley Bryan's inspired artwork to life in visceral and moving ways.

Painter and Poet: The Wonderful World of Ashley Bryan

High Museum of Art Exhibition

Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Continuing the High's series of picture-book art exhibitions, this show examines the decades-long career of author and illustrator Ashley Bryan, who has published children's books in a dizzying array of styles that reflect a wide variety of influences, from African folktales to jazz and poetry.

ARTS-INSPIRED WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES:

Lil Yogis - Yoga Classes for the Very Young

Daily at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.

Led by certified yoga instructor Lucy Curtis. A 30-minute yoga session with toddlers front and center with their caregivers.

Parents and Tots Drama Workshops

Daily at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. & 1 p.m.

In this 30-minute class session, little ones will explore themes and moments from ALLIANCE THEATRE for the Very Young productions through creative play and sensory activities side-by-side with their grown-ups. These workshops are appropriate for children 18 months - 36 months old and their caregivers.

Family Storytelling Workshops

Daily at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. & 1 p.m.

In this 30-minute class session, little ones will explore themes and moments from ALLIANCE THEATRE for the Very Young productions through creative play and sensory activities side-by-side with their grown-ups. These workshops are appropriate for children 3-5 years old and their caregivers.

Arts-Inspired Play Space

Daily, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

An artistic retreat from the structure of performances and workshops, this room offers a space for children and families to interact with multiple art forms at the same time. There will be opportunities for artful construction through the use of found objects, making art while listening to different kinds of music, using visual art to inspire physical movement and cozy corners to read storybooks about a variety of art forms.

Creative Movement Workshops

Daily at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.

Explore body movement, creative expression, and gesture to tell stories based on the ALLIANCE THEATRE Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young production, The Lizard & El Sol.

Dramatic Designs

Daily, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Explore the beautiful characters in children's book author and artist Ashley Bryan's work through costume design and construction.

Baby Steps: Infant Tour

A 20-minute, in-gallery tour for infants who are 15 months and younger with their caregivers. For babies' earliest encounters with art, these tours emphasize constructing meaning, identifying works of art that they will be responsive to, and creating connections through tactile components. This program is about starting a one-on-one conversation between caregiver and child and developing a dialogue with art.

Toddler Tours

A 20-minute, in-gallery workshop for toddlers from 15 months to 3 years old with their caregivers. Building on budding imaginations, these tours use dance and drama-based strategies to help toddlers interpret works of art and learn about museums.

Ashley Bryan-Inspired Art Making

Toddlers are natural artists! Get inspired by Painter and Poet: The Wonderful World of Ashley Bryan and then get creative in this workshop. High Museum teaching artists will lead drop-in art-making classes where families can be immersed in Ashley Bryan materials and love of stories.

Ashley Bryan Storytimes

At the High, storytellers read with children and invite them to make meaning of a book's art, text, and design. This interactive Storytime includes puppets and music!

For more information, contact attvy@alliancetheatre.org.

SPECIAL ADD-ON PROGRAMMING:

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Music for the Very Young - Music Around the World!*

Friday, October 13, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Bring your little ones on a journey to discover Music Around the World! With these performances, families will move and groove to the music of North America. Explore the differences in melody, harmony, rhythm, dance, instruments, and more! Perfect for ages 3 - 5 years old.

Add-on performance:

Adult: $15.00

Child (ages 6-17): $8.00

Child (ages 3-5): FREE

*To purchase admission to this performance, a link will be provided through email following check out. For more information regarding this experience, contact Ruthie Miltenberger at ruthie.miltenberger@atlantasymphony.org.

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