Nov 24

Black Friday Sale!

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Black Friday Sale

Special Black Friday class card offer! Buy a five-class pass for $75! The Black Friday Sale, which is online only, ends at midnight on 11/29/24. No discount code needed, simply select the Black Friday Class Pass at checkout. Limit 1 Black Friday class pass special per student.

Dance For Everyone

Ongoing drop-in dance classes for teens and adults!

View class schedule

OCBallet Center

3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Hts, Ohio 44120

Studio Entrance

Entrance to the studio is located behind The Dealership. Pull in north driveway on right hand side of the building. Ample free parking is available.

Nov 14

Love0

Hip Hop Masterclass with Samuel McIntosh

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Dance Classes/ Workshop

Hip Hop with Samuel McIntosh

Friday, November 17, 2023 6:00pm

Come and learn techniques of West Coast street dance styles, Popping and Boogaloo! Samuel McIntosh will teach the basic beginner tools and techniques in the genre of Boogaloo / Popping and cypher mechanics associated with the style and street dance culture. Beginner to advanced levels welcome, ages 14+. The cost is $25 for adults and $20 for students. Class cards do not apply. Advance registration required.

The studios are located at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights behind The Dealership. Click here for directions. Free parking available use lot closest to Chagrin Rd.

Register Now

Samuel McIntosh- dancer, choreographer, and Hip Hop ambassador

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to wear a mask?

Masks are optional for all individuals including guests and teachers who are vaccinated. Please read our Health and Safety Policy here.

What should I wear?

Whatever you want! Athletic wear, sweats, or a leotard and tights-whatever makes you feel comfortable and ready to dance! Certain more advanced ballet classes do require ballet slippers, but for Beginning and New to Ballet classes socks are just fine! For yoga, please use bare feet.

Where are you located?

In The Dealership at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights.

Do I need to preregister for class?

Yes, everyone must register for class online 24 hours prior to the start of class. Cash and checks will not be accepted at this time.

Is there parking?

Yes! We have a free parking lot on the north side of The Dealership Building, connecting directly to the Verb Ballets studio door.

Will I need a water bottle?

YES! Having water on hand is encouraged during every class you take with us. Feel free to keep your water bottle next to you in the studio for a quick sip whenever you need it!

Looking for children's classes?

Verb Ballets offers dance classes for ages 3 – 14 years old!

Learn More

Daily Adult Ballet Class Schedule

Class are drop-in and just require pre-registration online to secure your spot. Verb is happy to offer both in-studio classes and online Zoom classes see schedule below. All class registrations are online through Mindbody. You will need to set up a create a profile through Mindbody. Normal class rates are $16/ class or $130 for a 10 pack class card.

Still have a question? Shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you!

Nov 01

Love1

A Season of Holiday Magic

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances, News

A Season of Holiday Magic

The Little Nutcracker

Experience the magic of the holiday season with a delightful twist on a classic holiday tale with Ohio Contemporary Ballet formerly Verb Ballets in the production of The Little Nutcracker. The new one hour ballet showcases the elegance of classical ballet through enchanting characters like the graceful Dew Drop Fairy and a lively party scene choreographed by Associate Director, Richard Dickinson. Accompanying the professional dancers on stage are the talented students from community partners along with our dedicated adult community students. This captivating ballet is an ideal holiday tradition for families and a wonderful introduction to the world of classical ballet for young children. This new version is crafted to ignite the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages, kindling the imagination with the enchantment of the season.

The Little Nutcracker
with the Youth Academy

November 11 & 12, 2023
Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

GET TICKETS

The Little Nutcracker
with ArtSparks and the University of Akron Dance Institute

December 2, 2023
Firestone Theatre
Akron, OH 44313

GET TICKETS

The Little Nutcracker
with Wilhelm Dance

December 9 & 10, 2023
Lakewood Civic Auditorium
Lakewood, OH 44107

GET TICKETS

The Little Nutcracker

The storyline follows Clara, a young ballet student, on a magical Christmas Eve journey. After receiving a Nutcracker doll from the mysterious Drosselmeyer at her family’s holiday party, Clara descends into a fantastical world when the clock strikes midnight. Her Nutcracker comes to life to battle an army of giant mice, led by the fearsome Mouse King. When the Nutcracker appears to be near defeat, Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, allowing the Nutcracker to vanquish his enemy. Transformed into a handsome prince by Drosselmeyer, the Nutcracker leads Clara through the Land of Snow into the Kingdom of Sweets.

In the Kingdom of Sweets, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are welcomed by the Dewdrop Fairy and treated to a series of dances from various lands. These include Spanish chocolates, Chinese pretzels, Arabian coffee cordials, Austrian ribbon candies, and Russian cookies. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier also perform a graceful Pas de Deux. As a sign of friendship, Clara is invited to join the dancers, culminating in a breath-taking finale. As the Kingdom grows quiet and the dancers disappear, Clara is left sleeping, waking to discover it was all a wonderful Christmas dream.

About Ohio Contemporary Ballet (formerly Verb Ballets)

For over three decades Ohio Contemporary Ballet, formerly Verb Ballets, has connected with the community in Northeast Ohio through dance performances and educational programs. We are inspired by the rich past, present and future of dance in our region and are proud to be your Ohio Contemporary Ballet (OCBallet).

The company vision is currently led by Dr. Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer for the original Cleveland Ballet, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer. As a ballet company, our vision is to bring reliably excellent performances that delight audiences with a variety of choreographic works. We invest in dance as an artform for international cultural exchange. OCBallet seeks to engage top dancers and choreographers that reflect diverse backgrounds across the country and globe.

We see ourselves as not just a dance company, but as a valuable asset that enriches the lives of our community through providing access to dance opportunities, classes and education. Housed at the Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, we are committed to be a leader of artistic vibrancy in the Great Lakes region.

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Nov 01

Love1

The Little Nutcracker in Shaker Heights

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances, News

The Little Nutcracker

November 11-12, 2023

TICKETS

Experience a delightful twist on a classic holiday tale with Ohio Contemporary Ballet formerly Verb Ballets in the production of The Little Nutcracker. The new one hour ballet showcases the elegance of classical ballet through enchanting characters like the graceful Dew Drop Fairy and a lively party scene. Accompanying the professional dancers on stage are the talented students from the Youth Academy and along with our dedicated adult community students. This captivating ballet is an ideal holiday tradition for families and a wonderful introduction to the world of classical ballet for young children. This new version is crafted to ignite the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages, kindling the imagination with the enchantment of the season.

But the magic doesn’t end with the bows! Opening night join us for a VIP reception following the performance with the dancers. Children 5 and under can sit on a caregivers lap for free. This event has limited seating; we recommend by your tickets early!

These performances are sold out!