Synetic Theater’s newest production of Beauty and the Beasttransforms the classic story into a dark and magical piece of theater art. A far cry from the Disney-fied version of the story, this show takes inspiration from the original 18th-century French fairytale, La Belle et la Bete, adding a unique, dark twist and mysterious, shadowy elements .
If you’ve experienced a Synetic performance, you’re no stranger to the theater’s acclaimed silent storytelling and expressionistic design, which blend together on stage to bring this sparkling Gothic romance to life. The season closer brings an all-star cast to the stage, featuring company members, professionally trained actors and dancers — including Dancing with the Stars contestant, Irina Kavsadze, as the lead role — along with an imaginative creative team to pique your interest and bring you into a magical world built through marvelous shadow-play and skillful stagecraft.
Synetic Theater is DC’s premiere physical theater, producing stunning and vibrant performances that take a step beyond the spoken word and emphasize movement, physicality, and emotion.
Please note: This production of Beauty and the Beast contains light fantasy violence and may be scary to very young children. This production is not the Disney musical.
Synetic Theater Presents Beauty and the Beast
Where: 1800 S. Bell Street | Arlington, VA 22202
When: March 3 – April 2 Run time is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission All ages are welcome, but parental guidance is advised for younger children.
This post is sponsored by Synetic Theater, however, I only promote events, programs, and places that I truly believe in and/or think would appeal to KFDC readers.
This post is paid for by Imagination Stage, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.
Are you looking for theatre and ballet classes for kids (or yourself) in Northern Virginia? Synetic Theater, a center for American Physical Theatre and presenter of some of the area’s most magical plays, offers an exciting array of classes for children of all ages — as well as anyone interested in cultivating an active and creative life. Here are programs available this fall, beginning September 24!
* * *
Magic of Disney
1st Grade – 5th Grade
September 24 – November 5 | Saturday, 9-10am
Tuition: $250
Instructor: Ashton Schaffer
It’s a Whole New World with this acting class for elementary aged students. Each class will be themed off of a different Disney movie with games and activities tailored to the theme each week. Students can sing, act, and dance their way to the ball in this one of a kind acting class! They will learn how to use their imaginations to create new and exciting worlds and characters. Themes include Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, Big Hero 6, and so many more! Grab your pixie dust and imagination and get ready to never grow up.
Spies in Disguise
6th Grade – 8th Grade
September 24 – November 5 | Saturday, 10–11am
Tuition: $250
Instructor: Ashton Schaffer
Calling all secret agents! There is an enemy that must be found and captured. In this seven-week class, students will learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be a spy…. a physical theater spy, that is. Students will learn secret tumbling tricks, create epic spy gear, and hopefully save the world. This class is open to any middle school age student looking to try their hand at acting or improve on their skills.
Beginning Ballet Ages 4-6
September 27 – November 15 | Tuesday, 1-2pm
Tuition: $300 | Need-based scholarships available. Young dancers learn balance, coordination, and beginning ballet steps such as plies, releves, jumps, and turns as they come together to develop a lifelong love of dance. This class culminates in a shareformance of warm-ups and a short dance piece. All classes are limited to 8 participants.
Elementary Ballet
Ages 7-12 September 30 – November 18 | Friday, 4:30-5:30pm
Tuition: $300 | Need-based scholarships available. This multi-age class teaches fundamentals of ballet through barre, center, and across-the-floor. Young artists learn alignment, strength, agility, and ballet technique through a wide variety of exercises, stretches, and dance combinations. The class culminates in a shareformance of a short dance piece. All classes are limited to 8 participants.
Teen/Adult Ballet
All levels
September 27 – November 15 | Tuesday, 2:30-3:30pm
Tuition: $300 | Need-based scholarships available.
Perfect for adults returning to ballet or anyone who wants to improve their core strength and posture, strengthen their back muscles to reduce injuries, improve their flexibility, and learn basic ballet terminology. No experience is necessary for this fun and creative class. All classes are limited to 8 participants.
All classes take place at the Synetic Theater Studio in the Crystal City area of Arlington. Learn more and register through the links above. And for more information about Synetic Theater, visit the website.
This post is sponsored by Synetic Theater, however, I only promote programs, events, and services that I truly believe in and/or think would appeal to KFDC readers.
As we soar into September, InterAct Story Theatre is bringing back a fan-favorite show to make the trip even more fun for children — and I have three Family 4-Packs of tickets to see it up for grabs!
The Hero of EVERYTHING explores the importance of teamwork and the perils of trying to do everything yourself. This action-packed interactive play is performed by three actors on stage and a whole team of superheroes in the audience, who join in to become part of the action to save the day in Citytown City.
Who needs a sidekick or a team when you can do everything yourself, and do it just the way it should be? Captain Everything loves saving the day and doesn’t need anyone’s help to do it. Sure, she has an Amazing Alliance of Superheroes, but no one minds if she just does everything herself. Or do they? What happens when everyone else gets tired of being left out of everything and quits? And what happens when Captain Everything faces something she can’t do? Can she face her fears and cooperate with her team to save Citytown City? Or will it be too late?
Parents come away from the show with activities in the playbill they can use to explore the ideas in the play. Kids come away with an amazing superhero adventure and an invitation to create adventures of their own to share.
The Hero of EVERYTHING will run at Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD, September 23-October 2. Public performances are on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Recommended for ages 5 and up, tickets are $13.50 (free for ages 3 and under).
* * *
Giveaway: For a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to see The Hero of EVERYTHING on Saturday, September 24, simply leave a comment telling me your (or your child’s) super power. Get an extra chance to win by entering on the KidFriendly DC Facebook Page! This giveaway will run through Tuesday, September 20, then three winners will be drawn at random and notified shortly thereafter. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by InterAct Story Theatre, however, I only promote programs, events, and services that I truly believe in and/or think would appeal to KFDC readers.
This National Dance Day, September 17, kids can take an enchanting trip across the globe to celebrate movement, music, and the planet we call home.
‘To Sail Around the Sun,” a catered-to-kids production from Company E, DC’s leading contemporary repertory dance company, is returning to the Kennedy Center Family Theatre. Through dance, live music, and storytelling, the performance takes audiences on one child’s journey to gather all four seasons before dinner time. The show travels beneath the springtime waves of the Australian shores, through the summertime rainforests of Argentina, among the autumn leaves of Japan, and in the wintry snows of Kazakhstan.
Designed for families and children of all ages, the story unfolds through a mesmerizing performance by Company E dancers alongside live string quartet, Sound Impact. It’s all fittingly set to Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” with a one-hour run time, ideal for young audiences.
There will be two performances of “To Sail Around the Sun” on September 17, at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are $30 and available for purchase through the Kennedy Center website.
About Company E
Using science as a source and art as an inspiration, Company E engages audiences and cultures around the globe and at home with art and education programs, emphasizing international collaborations with the great choreographers, dancers, composers, filmmakers, and artists at work today.
This post is sponsored by Company E, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think would appeal to KFDC readers.