CLEVELAND, OH (August 9, 2018) – Verb Ballets is proud to announce it is moving to a new home at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights. Located near the corner of Lee and Chagrin Boulevard, the more than 6,000-square-foot studio space will serve as the base for the Verb Ballets professional dance company, in addition to providing ample room for classes and workshops for the community. After a yearlong search for the right location, Verb Ballets selected the garages at The Dealership, a co-working community and initiative of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation.
The new home will include two studios, dressing rooms, costume wardrobe, set storage, a reception area and offices inside the showroom. The studio space features high ceilings and unique configurations that will enable Verb to present performances to the community in-house. Construction has begun on the build out of the studios in the new space and are planned to open this fall. The administrative offices are moving into The Dealership mid August. The new studio space was designed by Cleveland-based Vocon and the initial capital to convert the facility is made possible by the Cleveland Foundation, the City of Shaker Heights and the Shaker Heights Development Corporation.
Verb Ballets has been ingrained in the Shaker Heights community for nearly a decade. In the search for a new home, one of the major points of emphasis was a focus on staying in the community.
“Shaker Heights is a cross section of all walks of life similar to the styles of dance that Verb Ballets presents. Our vision is to ignite passion and participation in contemporary ballet, and by establishing ourselves at the intersection of Lee and Chagrin we position ourselves in a place for inclusion and connection,” said Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director for Verb Ballets.
Community engagement through movement is an important part of Verb’s philosophy. The new home will offer classes to the community to nurture wellness, create a sense of identity and expression through dance. The availability of multiple studios will enable the company to significantly expand its educational offerings.
“We have been exploring how we can elevate the company and expand our programs to the community. Designing our own space allowed us to envision a home base that can support future growth. The vast space in the garage will allow us to create a multi-use space including presentation of performances. We are thrilled to move forward in the new home and are honored by the support of the community in creating this vision,” said Dr. Carlson.
Verb Ballets is one of the oldest dance company in the region with a rich 30-year history. In addition to critically acclaimed performances the company cultivates dance appreciation and nurtures wellness through movement, achieved through community classes, school residencies, senior movement classes, library programs and college course partnerships. The company has been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch. With two international tours under its belt the company has shared a piece of the Cleveland community with the world.
Jennifer Garlando, Director of Marketing & PR at jgarlando@verbballets.org.
About Verb Ballets
Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates audiences. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Artistic Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets for its abilities to, “Dashing preconceptions …with keen dramatic power.” -The Plain Dealer, “(Verb) is dance magnifique.” – The Examiner, “confident and polished, Verb’s dancers shone” – Dance International Magazine. Verb Ballets was named by Dance Magazine as one of 25 dance companies in America to watch. Internationally acclaimed, the company has toured Cuba and Taiwan. As one of the oldest dance organizations in Northeast Ohio we proudly produce high caliber work and continue to connect with our communities through performance and outreach. Additional information can be found at www.verbballets.org.
Verb Ballets performances are made possible through the generous support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Shah Capital, Millie Carlson Trust, Peg’s Foundation, Lubrizol Foundation, The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, The Akron Community Foundation, John P. Murphy Foundation, Nordson, Laub Foundation, Margaret Wong & Associates, St. Ignatius and Cedar Hill Communications.
NEW ADDRESS: Verb Ballets 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120 • 216-397-3757 • www.verbballets.org
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John Gordon Ross (Conductor) – Ross has led the Western Piedmont Symphony in Hickory, N.C. since 1991, and their current season is his 27th and final year as Music Director and Conductor. In 2018, Ross will serve as Interim Music Director of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, where he has played 2nd Trombone since 1978. Lakeside is the place where he met his wife of 37 years, Sarah Rocco Ross, who has also performed with the orchestra for more than 42 years. He serves as a faculty member at Lenoir-Rhyne University where he teaches music history and instrumental conducting. From 1981-1991, he was Music Director and Conductor of the Kingsport (TN) Symphony Orchestra (now known as Symphony of the Mountains) including the Symphony Chorus and Youth Orchestra. He also served in a variety of conducting capacities with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, and guest conducting engagements include the Cleveland Philharmonic and Johnson City Symphony (TN).
A former dancer with Ohio Ballet Dickinson’s association with that company began in 1988. He later became ballet master and director of company touring. Dickinson was also a soloist with Boston Ballet for eight years. At age fifteen, he joined the Pasadena Dance Theatre and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Emerging Choreographer Award for a work premiered by the same company. He performed in the PBS television production of “Frankie and Johnny” with the Chicago Ballet. and danced principal roles in Asian, European and American tours with Rudolf Nureyev and the Boston Ballet. In addition to his professional work, Dickinson had an extensive dance career including principal and soloist roles at Chicago Ballet, Honolulu City Ballet and various regional companies. Previously, he served as Artistic Associate for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Artistic Director of Ballet Western Reserve, Great Lakes Festival Ballet, Chamber Dance Theatre. He has also directed Boston Ballet II and has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University.
