New Bedford Youth Ballet to perform an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”

The New Bedford Youth Ballet will perform an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book on Sunday, March 8 at the NBB Community Theater, 2343 Purchase Street in New Bedford. The first performance is scheduled for 1 p.m. with a second to follow at 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit the New Bedford Youth Ballet.

Published in 1894, The Jungle Book is a collection of stories written by English Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling. Kipling spent his early childhood and some of his adulthood in India, and the fables he created in this literary classic utilize animals of the Indian jungle to teach moral lessons. The best known of the stories involves the adventures of Mowgli, a child who was raised by wolves. Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, artistic director of New Bedford Ballet, brings the adventures of Mowgli to life in her original rendition of this educational classic.

In keeping with its mission of community outreach, the NBB Youth Ballet will also be performing The Jungle Book for over 3,000 South Coast area elementary school children during March. This initiative will continue NBB’s tradition of merging academics with the performing arts as well as introducing young learners to the artistry of ballet. Students will have the opportunity to join members of the NBB Youth Ballet on a journey through the Indian jungle and meet Mowgli, Bagheera, and Baloo as they discover that true friendship transcends all natural boundaries.

A special additional presentation of The Jungle Book will be performed for PACE Head Start children and their families. This magical evening will include an after-performance meet and greet and photo op with all the Jungle Book characters.

The New Bedford Youth Ballet is a company of the New Bedford Ballet Foundation, Inc. Founded in 1987, the Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and present classical ballets, grant scholarships, and educate the community in the beauty of this performing art. Aided by the financial support of the Foundation, thousands of area school children and senior citizens have had the opportunity to participate in the performing arts.

Tickets: Adults $12; Seniors, Students, Children (2 to 12) $7

For more information, call the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387 or visit our website www.newbedfordballet.org.

Ava Kocera-Kasem (New Bedford), Camila Paraskeva (Marion), Olivia Quintin (Fairhaven), Elizabeth Santos (New Bedford), Natalie Mitchell (New Bedford), Clara Bonney (Marion), Eva Politano (New Bedford), Front: Abbey Grundy (New Bedford), Sofia Montez (Dartmouth), John-nae Sylvia (New Bedford), Madeleine Hunt (Mattapoisett)

See more photos: https://www.newbedfordballet.org/press-releases