The Cliburn & Performing Arts Fort Worth Partner For Education Program

PERFORMING ARTS FORT WORTH AND THE CLIBURN PRESENT “VAN CLIBURN: AN AMERICAN HERO” FOR FWISD 4TH GRADERS

For the first time ever, Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Children’s Education Program and the Cliburn are collaborating to create a brand new arts education program. Utilizing actors, a concert pianist, and video projections, this one-of-a-kind production will teach children about the life, music, and significance of Van Cliburn.

“Van Cliburn: An American Hero,” written and directed by Dallas Theater Center Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell, will be presented at Bass Performance Hall to 12,000 Fort Worth Independent School District fourth graders October 7–9, 2014—as well as during the following three school years. Attendance at the programs is coordinated through FWISD and is not open to the general public.

Van Cliburn was hailed as one of the most persuasive ambassadors of American culture, as well as one of the greatest pianists in the history of music. With his historic 1958 victory at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, at the height of the Cold War, Van Cliburn tore down cultural barriers, transcending politics by demonstrating the universality of classical music. (For more about Van Cliburn’s career, visit: http://www.cliburn.org/about/van-cliburn/)

Cliburn was also one of Fort Worth’s dearest citizens for most of his adult life. In 1962, a group of Fort Worth volunteers created the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in his honor. The competition is now considered one of the most prominent classical music contests in the world, and Bass Performance Hall has played host to it since its eleventh iteration in 2001.

“Bass Hall was built as a gift to Fort Worth, to provide a home for its major performing arts groups, and—in no small way—the Cliburn Competition,” said Dione Kennedy, President & CEO of Performing Arts Fort Worth. “It is a fitting collaboration for our two organizations to come together now to share the impactful story and music of Van Cliburn with our school children.”

“What better way for kids to learn about this important time period in world history—and be exposed to classical music in a compelling way—than through such a powerful, real life story?” said Jacques Marquis, Cliburn president and CEO. “The live performance will feature the piano works he loved and played, and serve to ensure that Van’s legacy—his political and musical significance—continues to spread to the next generation.”

Working with Ferrell on the development of the program are: Shields-Collins Bray, second author; Ron Gonzalez, videographer; Keith Buresh, lighting designer; Ric Leal, costume designer; and Debbie Barr, stage manager. For the October 2014 production, Adam Golka will be the featured pianist, and actors Shannon McGrann, Bob Reed, and Tristen Thomas will perform all dramatic roles.