We’ve been hard at work for the past year (well, longer than that, actually) planning our first International Children’s Festival.
It started with Colleen Porter, our director of community engagement and education, who traveled to a number of festivals and conferences to find performances that not only represent various cultures and artistic styles, but are entertaining and educational. That was followed by long hours on the phone and a phone book’s worth of e-mail exchanges with agents and producers to negotiate schedules and booking fees, as well as ensuring that international artists, their sets and props will be able to clear customs when they arrive.
Colleen’s staff has been coordinating with local cultural artists to present additional performances, developing meaningful workshops and talking with teachers about bringing their students to the Festival. (Look for the yellow school buses lined up in front of the theaters during the first week of May!)
Local experience artists have been creating interactive art installations that reflect the Festival’s theme of “celebrating the world we share.”
Every department in the organization, from ticketing, group services, security, food and beverage to maintenance, housekeeping and theater operations, has been involved in the planning of this Festival for months to ensure that our guests have the best experience possible.
And the marketing staff (which I represent)? We’ve been figuring out how to tell all of you about this wonderful new opportunity for students and families to engage with the sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, and always vibrant cultures of our world through the arts.
We hope you enjoy our first International Children’s Festival!
-Cindi
