Talitha CumiGIRLS IN RURAL KENYA For partners
← BACK TO THE STEAM PROGRAM

THE ARTS / A YEAR OF CREATIVE POSSIBILITY

HER-forming Art.

Grace in her movement.
Strength in her story.

Ballet foundations. Contemporary expression. Stories brought to life through dance, words, light, and imagination. A creative pathway for girls in rural Kenya to discover the power of their own presence.

Explore the arts curriculum The 2026–2027 vision ↗
12months of creative growth
4connected learning strands
1shared creative journey
Illustrative scene of Kenyan girls in blush and magenta dresses exploring lyrical contemporary dance
Rooted in confidence.Expressed in her own way.
AI-generated illustrative scene · Not actual participants
Arise in confidence.Actualize her artistry.Apply it on stage.

01 / MORE THAN A PERFORMANCE

She doesn’t just
take the stage.
She helps create it.

Femininity and strength, in the same breath.

HER-forming Art connects disciplined technique with imagination and self-expression. Girls learn the fundamentals of ballet, explore a classical-contemporary dance style, and study dance through historical and cultural perspectives.

They also become playwrights, screenwriters, choreographers, visual storytellers, and production collaborators—discovering how a written script becomes an emotional, fully realized performance.

Dance & techniqueWriting & theatreHistory & contextProduction & design

02 / THE FULL CREATIVE LEARNING YEAR

Classical foundations.
Contemporary possibilities.

A progressive 12-month outline, from first positions to an ensemble production. Choose a phase and a month to explore technique, history, creative labs, and evidence of learning.

EXPLORE A MONTH

A proposed sequence.
Adapted to age, access, and experience.

Keep the complete 12-month sequence for your planning.

A GUIDED SESSION RHYTHM

Prepare & warm upPractice techniqueCreate & rehearseCool down & reflect

Qualified teachers adapt movement to each learner’s readiness, using natural turnout and gradual progression. This foundation pathway does not require pointe work or forced flexibility.

03 / FROM SCRIPT TO STAGE

One story.
Many creative decisions.

Explore how the creative layers work together. Each choice should serve the story, the performers, and the audience.

ILLUSTRATIVE STAGE STUDY

A warm welcome.
Light can shape a feeling.

TRY A LIGHTING MOOD

An illustrative design exercise. The preview changes color and mood; it is not a simulation of a venue’s lighting equipment.

04 / THE 2026–2027 CREATIVE VISION

Dynamic. Creative.
Deeply felt.

Two proposed projects, imagined as breathtaking, emotional experiences that bring written performance, dance, and visual storytelling together.

01 / A STORY OF GENEROSITY

The Gift
of the Magi

A new stage interpretation of O. Henry’s story

TALITHA CUMI / 2026–2027 CONCEPT

A gift is more than what we hold.

A remake for the stage exploring love, generosity, and sacrificial giving through student-developed dialogue, expressive choreography, and carefully chosen visual detail.

Explore the creative brief +

Story & script: Adapt the central gift-giving dilemma into scenes with clear character goals, dialogue, and a moving resolution.

Movement & design: Contrast intimate ballet-inspired phrases with contemporary ensemble storytelling. Use a recurring gift motif, warm lighting, and simple props.

Student roles: Writers, actors, dancers, costume and prop researchers, storyboard artists, and supervised production assistants.

02 / A JOURNEY TOWARD THE KING

Three
Wise Men

A biblical remix, told through word and movement

TALITHA CUMI / 2026–2027 CONCEPT

The journey. The wonder. The arrival.

A biblical remix of the Three Wise Men, woven with beautiful, elegant, and powerful liturgical dance illustrating the arrival of the King.

Explore the creative brief +

Story & script: Develop a journey of seeking, anticipation, offering, and arrival, using narration, written scenes, and ensemble movement.

Movement & design: Blend classical-contemporary phrasing with expressive liturgical dance, a guiding-star visual motif, and a transition from deep indigo to luminous rose and gold.

Finale vision: A powerful closing dance shaped around the final outro melody of a Deitrick Haddon selection. The exact track and performance arrangements are to be confirmed.

Student roles: Narrators, actors, dancers, choreographic collaborators, visual designers, and supervised lighting and sound assistants.

These are creative concepts for 2026–2027. Casting, rehearsal calendars, venues, performance dates, scripts, and final music selections are not yet confirmed. No recording is embedded.

THE TALITHA CUMI PERFORMANCE PATHWAY

Her dedication.
Her artistry.
A place to shine.

Customized Dance Performances
& Special Holiday Performances

05 / AN INVITATION TO GROW

For the girls who
feel called to dance.

Talented and passionate dance students will be invited to join Talitha Cumi Customized Dance Performances or Special Holiday Performances.

The proposed invitation pathway recognizes commitment, expressive potential, collaboration, and readiness to rehearse with an ensemble. It creates an opportunity to keep growing through meaningful performance.

  1. Discover her interestExplore technique and expression within the arts curriculum.
  2. Develop her practiceBuild musicality, care for the ensemble, and a consistent rehearsal habit.
  3. Receive an invitationJoin an appropriate project when learning progress and performance readiness align, with guardian consent.

An invitation pathway, not an open casting call. Specific participation arrangements will be confirmed before rehearsals begin.

06 / THE LEARNING BEHIND THE APPLAUSE

Artistry with
evidence of growth.

For partners in arts education, girls’ agency, creative skills, and cultural learning, the value extends beyond the final performance.

Explore a partnership
01

Technical foundations

Teacher observation of alignment, controlled transitions, rhythm, and progressive vocabulary.

02

Creative authorship

Original scenes, screenwriting samples, choreographic notes, and visual storyboards.

03

Historical understanding

Research journals connecting dance forms, artists, cultural contexts, and respectful interpretation.

04

Ensemble practice

Rehearsal logs, feedback, cue sheets, and learner reflections on collaboration.

She carries the story.
The stage carries her voice.

Return to the full STEAM program ↗Proposed curriculum and intended learning outcomes · Designed for girls across rural Kenya