DANCING THROUGH AMERICA’S HISTORY
The Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts presents: America 250: Stars and Stripes, a vibrant mixed repertory showcase celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through dance and music. Step right up for a captivating journey through the eras of American art, from early storytelling traditions to the trailblazers who shaped our nation’s artistic heritage, and discover how history inspires art and how art, in turn, shapes history.
Experience iconic works such as Rodeo, inspired by modern dance pioneer Agnes de Mille and the American frontier; Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue from the 1920s Jazz Era; a tribute honoring the U.S. military; songs from Elvis Presley echoing the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech; an intertribal showcase featuring Native American tribes of the Southeastern United States; and a grand finale original ballet of Stars and Stripes Forever, with music from John Philip Sousa and Hershey Kay, inspired by George Balanchine. Plus, enjoy the styles and sounds of Scott Joplin, Benny Goodman, Isadora Duncan, Gus Giordano, Alvin Ailey, Aretha Franklin, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, and more, brought to life by the dancers of Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts.
As our nation and community come together to mark this Quarter Millennium, this moving museum of American art invites audiences to celebrate the creativity, resilience, and cultural legacy of our nation, honoring 250 years of the United States and the artists who continue to inspire the next generation.
Since 2007, the Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts has proudly entertained audiences at the Wilson Center as a resident company, presenting original productions including The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Cinderella, Hope Has Come, Pinocchio, Masterworks, Beauty and the Beast, Americana, Come Alive, Peter Pan, and many other audience favorites.