One of the best parts of my job as the Ford Learning Center Assistant is interacting with the youth and adult students who participate in studio art classes. Therefore, I was very eager to join family, friends and Nelson-Atkins staff gathered in Atkins Auditorium to watch the final class performance of Act It Out, a unique offering that brings the Museum collection to life by combining visual and performing arts.
Inspired by Joseph Cornell’s A Pantry Ballet (for Jacques Offenbach), student-lobsters popped, locked and pirouetted to Herbie Hancock’s classic 1980s tune, “Rockit.” Led by full-time Ford Learning Center teacher, Kreshaun McKinney, and assistant Jane Hahn Leat, the students’ two weeks of hard work creating costumes and choreography paid off with a fantastic performance before an enthusiastic crowd.
After the show, the rock "lob-stars" enjoyed a brief photo shoot in the Atkins foyer before returning to their classroom for an after-party of cookies and lemonade.
Thanks to all of the students, parents and staff who made my afternoon so enjoyable. I’ll never look at lobsters the same way again!