Queens College School of Arts Presents Free Performances of Musical Russian Folktale Peter and the Wolf, in Partnership with NYC Parks, August 5-26 in Parks Throughout Queens
Venues include fifteen parks throughout Bayside, Jamaica, the Rockaways, and Woodhaven, Queens
Flushing, NY, July 31, 2025—The Queens College School of Arts and NYC Parks are partnering to bring the musical Russian folktale Peter and the Wolf to parks throughout the Borough of Queens in free performances from August 5 through 26. Composed in 1936 by Sergei Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf is about a young boy’s adventure in a meadow with animal companions; the music was designed to introduce children to the symphonic orchestra, with individual instruments or orchestral sections used to represent characters in the performance. The Queens College production is a reimagined, in-the-round adaptation that brings fresh focus to relationships and character dynamics. Performing to a recording, the actors physically embody and explore the spirit of Prokofiev’s iconic score, translating musical motifs into movement, gesture, and storytelling. The immersive staging invites the audience to experience the familiar tale in a new way—through the expressive power of the ensemble and the emotional resonance between characters.
“Whether you’re hearing Peter and the Wolf for the first time or the hundredth, this fresh take brings the story to life in a whole new way,” said Simone Yearwood, dean of Faculty, School of Arts and Humanities, Queens College. “It’s not just music—it’s movement, emotion, and storytelling, right here in heart of Queens.”
Performances will take place in 15 parks throughout Bayside, Jamaica, the Rockaways, and Woodhaven, Queens. For a full performance schedule please click HERE and then click on the drop-down menu for Peter and the Wolf Production Tour under Upcoming Events. Performers are Queens College Drama, Theatre, and Dance Department students and alumni Kamron Tursunboev, Kristina Gomez-Shnorhokian, and Meiyue Michelle Zhang. It is directed by Elyse Price, who teaches acting at the college.
“The tour highlights the power of live performance to create connections and wonder in public spaces,” said Price. “We’re proud to share this experience in the parks and neighborhoods that shape our Queens College community.” As part of its mission, the School of Arts seeks to connect academic learning with civic engagement. “This series exemplifies what Queens College does best: nurturing artistic talent while enriching the communities we serve,” added Julia del Palacio, associate dean of the School of Arts. “By bringing theatre into public spaces, we’re expanding access to the arts and helping our students grow as performers and citizens.”
The production is made possible through a collaboration between Queens College and NYC Parks as part of a broader borough-wide initiative that offers more than 50 free events—including concerts, dance classes, and visual arts workshops—in neighborhood greenspaces throughout the year. Please click HERE for more information on upcoming QC – NYC Parks events.
“This NYC Parks partnership with the Queens College School of Arts brings our greenspaces to life with creative programming that is free and accessible to all,” said NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Jackie Langsam. “We are proud to continue our collaboration this summer, providing families across our borough with meaningful cultural experiences right in their own backyard.”
Background
Queens College School of Arts offers the most comprehensive, multidisciplinary arts education within the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Founded in 2022, it houses renowned programs in theatre, dance, fashion, studio art, and design as well as the Aaron Copland School of Music, Media Studies, and the MFA in Creative Writing and Literary Translation.
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land—14 percent of New York City—including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. It operates more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. It cares for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. It looks after 666,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. It is New York City’s principal provider of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. It is home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
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