Valley students get a lesson outside of the classroom with a performance of Don Quixote

KERMAN, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thousands of Valley students got a lesson outside of the classroom. The State Street Ballet and Fresno Ballet Theatre are bringing the inspirational story of Don Quixote to the Saroyan Theatre.

Students throughout the Central Valley are getting a lesson in literature but not in your typical fashion. Through arts education.The ballet based on the novel Don Quixote De La Mancha. It tells the story of a man who dares to dream big-- like the students watching. And prima ballerina in the making-- Melanie Rios-- said the lesson she learned Thursday, "To never give up and to just keep trying."

Colorful costumes and awe-inspiring lifts and turns brought the literary tale to life, on the Kerman High School stage for thousands of elementary school students. "Even though he's a funny character-- and many times he is ridiculed-- but he does not give up his dream. Which is very important for the children to remember," said Yukari Thiesen, artistic director.

Thiesen said before this weekends public performance at the Saroyan Theatre the State Street Ballet and Fresno Ballet Theatre's performers focused on student outreach. "Our mission is trying to reach children using classical ballet performance."

The performance was well received, to say the least. "Probably the coolest thing was, when they brought the little helper and they threw him in the air," said Edwin Remus, 6th grade. "I've never seen that happen before and I actually thought they were going to drop him."

With this lesson outside of the classroom, organizers are hoping to inspire. One dreamer at a time.