Columbia City Ballet

"Educational Outreach Program an asset to this arts-deprived city"

We have been to three productions by the Columbia City Ballet, all via their Educational Outreach Program.  The tickets are moderately priced and are available to any parent, teacher or school that desires to take children to the ballet.  The EOP is an excellent means of introducing children to the "arts."  The dancers are often from all over the world, and while they are not as skilled as those I have seen in New York and Washington, DC, they are passionate about their work and eager to share their gifts with children.

Performances are offered 2 to 3 times a year and are usually themed (Christmas, Spring or Children's Story).  Examples include Aladdin, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Beauty and the Beast or Midsummer's Night Dream.  Often the EOP programs are a 45 minute version of a longer production that is offered to the general public at nighttime performances.

Performances are held at Columbia's Koger Center, a wonderful theater with a large stage that enables to the viewer to see from any seat.  Visitors must pre-book tickets through the CCB office.  I recommend that visitors  arrive 30 minutes early, particularly if you have long children.  A CCB performance is not recommended for children under 5 years, because it is often dark and quiet in the theater and young children could be frightened by various scenes.