Atlanta Ballet, in partnership with eight Atlanta Barnes & Noble stores and Atlanta Public Schools (APS), is launching a literacy program this holiday season, which will put books directly in the hands of elementary school children.

This Nutcracker season, Atlanta Ballet will ask its Nutcracker families to purchase books from eight participating Barnes & Noble stores in metro Atlanta, to donate to four APS as part of its Nutcracker Literacy Project.

The project, aimed at providing books to elementary students to increase literacy skills, will run from November 28-December 28. APS’s Director of Literacy Monishae Mosley O’Neill, has selected 18 curriculum-approved storybooks, which will solidify classroom learning and foster a love of reading.

The selected books will be prominently displayed in each Barnes & Noble store, highlighting the Nutcracker Literacy Project and its partnership with APS. Each store will collect and deliver all books purchased for the project following Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker season. According to Ms. O’Neill, "early childhood literacy is the single best investment we can make in our children." She also added that the number of books available to a child is directly related to their reading success.

"With more than 25,000 young families who, each year, make our Nutcracker their favorite holiday tradition, we are happy to offer our Nutcracker as a voice to build a more literate Atlanta," says Barry Hughson, Atlanta Ballet’s Executive Director. Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker opens on Friday, December 5 and runs through December 28, 2008 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.

One of the goals of the Atlanta Ballet is to shape young lives. "Working with a child’s dream to dance, even the dream to one day dance in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker on the Fox Theatre stage, is where Atlanta Ballet so beautifully empowers and inspires lives," said John McFall, Atlanta Ballet’s Artistic Director. "The literacy project speaks clearly to the fact that each child must be encouraged to work hard and develop good reading skills as the first step to building dreams."

Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is the longest, continuously operating ballet company in the United States. Atlanta Ballet’s eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals.

Among Atlanta Ballet’s proud and unique 78-year history are its three Artistic Directors, Miss Dorothy Alexander, whose vision brought dance to the South; Robert Barnett, who turned Atlanta Ballet into a professional company; and currently, John McFall. Under McFall’s leadership Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance.

Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education in 1996 and is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity. With diverse class offerings and student population, the Centre serves over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta each year. Atlanta Ballet’s roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city’s cultural growth and revitalization. To purchase tickets, visit atlantaballet.com or call (404) 817-8700.

M. Agnes Jones

Gideons

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