IONA’s performances are a unique marriage of visual art and dance. IONA has adapted versions of their evening-length productions to awe and inspire children of all ages. Educational tools included in presentations bring awareness of dance as an art form, costume construction, cultural mythology, and meditation as a focusing tool. Performances can be intimate, taking place in classrooms, or 45-minute productions at the theatre. Magical, funny, and heartwarming, an IONA children’s performance is a treasured experience to keep forever.


THE ENCHANTED FOREST
Inspired by IONA’s Main Stage production, ‘Destiny’, The Enchanted Forest draws its content and imagery from a magical garden of eternal truths to reveal the structures that define our beliefs and shape the destiny of humanity. The Enchanted Forest is a gallery style performance that provides close-up views of the dancers as living art installations. Through maps provided with educational materials, the audience circulates throughout the performance space much like an art gallery as each installation begins with dance and ends replica with a narration about the installation. Students are encouraged to walk quietly through the forest, noticing all they see and hear on their journey.

FULL CIRCLE EDUCATION PROGRAM
IONA’s new education program places high school students elbow to elbow with professionals in a learning-feedback platform that connects the arts to the real world. Students follow IONA's Annual Season production though rehearsals to the stage, with immersive sessions in dance and choreography, marketing, technical production, costume building, and arts administration.