Arts Education

A look back at the 2022-23 season

Ovations kickstarted our 92nd season with Garba360, a free-to-the-public lively and immersive community dance party. This unique event invited all to enjoy the spirited Indian Gujarati folk dances of garba and raas.  In October, we welcomed audiences for three performances of the timeless, award-winning musical, CHICAGO. Roxie Hart continues to razzle and dazzle along with … Read more

Here’s to a great season!

Ovations’ 91st season is officially wrapped. Wow, we did it. And by “we” – we mean all of us. Because there is no live performance without you. Over the past 10 months, across 11 venues, more than 23,000 experienced 36 live performances. Seven of these performances were free and in public spaces. Five were dedicated … Read more

2021-22 Season Reflection – An Unforgettable Season

 OCTOBER We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our 91st season than with 5 free public performances of the vertical dance innovators, BANDALOOP, which had people captivated, lying in the streets and watching from nearby rooftops, balconies and windows, as dancers were suspended from the rooftop of the Canopy by Hilton Portland … Read more

Program Notes for “Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends” by Sarah Coleman

Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends

Dear Friends, We are so thrilled to be back at Merrill Auditorium with a performance for young audiences! What a great way to return – with the clever, curious, and imaginative characters of Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Iggy Peck based on Andrea Beaty and David Roberts’ books. These stories are playful and poignant. They honor young … Read more

Arts Integration at Home – Freeze Dance

Posted Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Our last activity is a way to celebrate the school year that is wrapping up. While it might not feel like a celebratory time, dancing is important for a few reasons. As an art form, it has been a form of resistance for many oppressed cultures. Dance also asks us … Read more

Arts Integration at Home – Alphabet Relay

Posted Monday, June 1, 2020 The end of the school year is a time for reflecting. Today’s activity, Alphabet Relay, is an energetic way for kids to reflect on this unique school year – from what was challenging to how much they’ve learned and discovered. DOWNLOAD THIS ACTIVITY AS A PRINTABLE .PDF EXAMPLES I learned … Read more

Arts Integration at Home – Two by Three by Bradford

Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2020 As the school year winds down, we’ve got a few more activities to bring some joy and movement to your distance learning. Two by Three by Bradford allows students to practice focus, listening, and awareness starting with the simple act of counting to three. This activity comes from theatre practitioner … Read more

Arts Integration at Home – Cross the Room If

Posted Wednesday, May 20, 2020 Today’s activity, Cross the Room If… is a tried and true warm-up game typically used as a way to get to know new people. But for classroom and distance learning, it is a great way to share opinions and thoughts and spark deeper discussion. Depending on how you choose to … Read more

Arts Integration at Home – This Setting Needs

Posted Monday, May 18, 2020 Today’s arts integration activity, This Setting Needs…, combines imagination, observation, and detail-oriented thinking to challenge kids to create a 3-D, one-of-a-kind environment. This activity is a great way for students to show their knowledge of a book, an environment or a moment in time. It can also be a fun … Read more

Arts Integration at Home – Object Metaphor

Posted Wednesday, May 13, 2020 Today’s activity, Object Metaphor, invites students to make comparisons between a random object and another topic. How are you like a potato masher? Whether silly or serious, students will practice flexible and metaphorical thinking while making comparisons. Flexible thinking – being open-minded and adaptive to different ways of learning – is … Read more