El Sombrero de Tres Picos
“The Three Cornered Hat”: Spanish Dance, Theater and Visual Arts
This bi-lingual arts residency is inspired by the 20th century ballet masterpiece, "El Sombrero de Tres Picos" or "The Three-Cornered Hat." With libretto by early 20th-century playwright María Lejárraga and music by Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, students will become cultural interpreters of “ El Sombrero de tres picos,” finding personal relevance with this work to modern-day life in New York City. This residency explores themes of power, mistaken identity, loyalty, friendship, clothing and social identity. Teaching Artists will expose Andalusian culture and how it inspired the European 20th-century vanguard, creating opportunities for students to explore these themes via multiple points of entry including theater, music, dance, and visual arts. The artistic residency culminates with a student showcase performance of scenes with live music from this ballet, with a New York City twist.
Curriculum Goals:
• Social and Cross Cultural Studies: students will be guided in the cultural and historical context of Falla’s ballet as a seminal work in Spanish music, dance and theater, and it’s particular ties to New York City
• Visual Arts Skills: students will experience hands-on instruction in set and costume design, using the original sketches of “El Sombrero de Tres Picos” by Pablo Picasso, as inspiration and a starting point
• Music Skills: vocal training and preparation of andalusian folk song and rhythmic clapping known as “palmas” for the performance of scenes in “El Sombrero de Tres Picos”
•. Dance and Creative Movement Skills: development of Spanish dance literacy, in which students will be guided in creating their own movement sequences
• Pantomime Skills: Students will explore the art of pantomime as a form of non-verbal expression within the dance tradition of “El Sombrero de Tres Picos”
