Jul 02

Welcome choreographer Charles Anderson

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Help us welcome national choreographer Charles Anderson back in studio the week of July 2- July 6, 2018. Charles Anderson is a former member of New York City Ballet and became one of the leading forces of the San Francisco Bay Area contemporary dance movement. He began choreographing ballets while still a dancer with the New York City Ballet, and he co-founded and acted as Artistic Director for Ballet, Inc. in New York, where he choreographed many of his early works. He later founded and lead Company C Contemporary Ballet in 2002 in San Francisco. Anderson’s work reflects a blend of classical and contemporary influences and is included in the repertories of professional dance companies throughout the country.

Verb Ballets will remount his striking contemporary ballet Aposiopesis. The highly kinetic work embodies the athletic prowess that sweep the stage in a calligraphic effect while displaying moments of tenderness. This full ensemble ballet was originally created for Company C. Anderson came in 2016 and set the ballet on Verb Ballets, he returns to set the first movement. In addition, he will set a signature pas de duex on the company to debut for the 2018-19 season. Verb Ballets looks forward to hosting Charles Anderson and adding to the wealth of company repertory.

Charles Anderson

Charles Anderson (Choreographer) danced with the New York City Ballet from 1985 – 1993, where he worked with Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins and many other notable choreographers. Anderson began studying dance at an early age and later trained at and received full scholarships to the San Francisco Ballet School, the Joffrey Ballet School, the American Ballet Theatre School, and the School of American Ballet. He began his choreographic career while still a dancer with the New York City Ballet. In 1990 he co- founded Ballet, Inc. in New York with long time friends Patrick Corbin and John Selya. He later co-founded Company C Contemporary Ballet in 2002 with Elizabeth Reed, and served as Artistic Director. Anderson’s works are included in the repertories of professional dance companies throughout the country. He has been a prominent ballet teacher in the Bay area and has been a guest teacher for Smuin Ballet, Matthew Bourne, Oakland Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, Hubbard Street Dance, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Henny Jurriëns Foundation in Amsterdam. In addition to his work as a dancer, choreographer and teacher, Anderson has served on the board of governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists, created costumes for the New York City Ballet’s Diamond Project, been an adjudicator and instructor for the Bob Fosse Scholarship Program, and served as a panelist for the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Grant. He is the recipient of the 2014 Live Blessay Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2015 Izzie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Restaging/Revival/Reconstruction.

”I started choreographing Aposiopesis some 20 years ago and it has been re-choreographed probably five times so it’s unique in that way.

Read the interview by Victor Lucas of CoolCleveland

CoolCleveland, July 2016

We met with choreographer Charles Anderson at the Verb studio prior to an open rehearsal. He’d been setting his piece on the Verb dancers for the last week in June, but Aposiopesis began long before that.

Charles Anderson: I started choreographing Aposiopesis some 20 years ago and it has been re-choreographed probably five times so it’s unique in that way. The first time that I choreographed it I was very inspired by the music by Michael Nyman. Every movement is in a different time signature, 5, 4, 6. Aposiopesis rolls around in our Company C repertoire every couple of years and it also gets performed by other companies, most recently Tucson Ballet.

CoolCleveland: Why the title?
Aposiopesis? My father was a freelance choreographer for most of his life and he was also into words. An aposiopesis is a sudden break in your train of thought. We’ve all had one, so we should all know what aposiopesis means. This music originally had many movements that ended abruptly, so that’s where the word and the ballet connect. Some of those movements have been cut but you’ll notice that there’s still a break in the middle of this piece and it’s a very important one because this ballet, if it’s about anything, is about one person — it happens to be a woman — struggling with difficult parts of herself. She’s emotional, she wants this and she wants that, the kind of emotion you go through when you’re young. All of the corps members are sides of herself, echoes of her personality. The leading male character is a stable person in her life. What would you say to yourself if you met your 14-year-old self?

Read full article

Aposiopesis (2001)
Choreography: Charles Anderson
The highly kinetic work embodies the athletic prowess that sweep the stage in a calligraphic effect while displaying moments of tenderness.

Jun 29

Love1

Verb Ballets Summer Series Kicks Off

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets showcases performances throughout Northeast Ohio this summer with captivating choreography and a passionate dance. The contemporary ballet company’s Summer Series include performances at Cain Park on June 29th, Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival on July 27-28th, Lakeside Chautauqua on August 4th with the Lakeside Symphony and at Tremont’s Arts in August on August 11th.

Lear more about the exciting programs planned below. Grab a blanket or chair and join us this summer for an outdoor performance!

Cain Park

As a gift to the community, Verb Ballets returns to Cain Park Evans Amphitheater on Friday, June 29, 2018 for a free performance! This performance is made possible through a generous gift from Cleveland Heights residents and Verb Ballets’ board members, James D. Graham and David M. Dusek. Entitled Director’s Choice, Verb’s Directors have chosen their favorite works from the 2017-18 season as the final performance celebrating Verb’s 30th anniversary. Classical music enthusiasts will enjoy the choreographic inventiveness in Heinz Poll’s, Schubert Waltzes, played live by David Fisher, former Musical Director of the Ohio Ballet. The Verb Ballets dancers will dazzle in a display of classical technique full of speed and high spirits in Tarantella and in Tommie Waheed Evans’, Dark Matter, the dancers will awe you with the brilliance of their contemporary work. Verb Ballets dancer and choreographer, Michael Escovedo, remounts Broken Bridges in the telling of a family story of struggle with mental illness. The performance is FREE, and gates will open at 7:00pm for general admission. The performance is at 8:00PM. Cain Park is located at 14591 Superior Rd, Cleveland, OH 44118.

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

Verb Ballets returns to The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at Akron’s Firestone Park on July 27 & 28, 2018. These free community performances will showcase the company in classical selections and bold modern works. The program will feature K281 by internationally acclaimed choreographer Adam Hougland. The ballet epitomizes the musicality of Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-flat major, K. 281. The epic music of Ravel’s Bolero comes to life in this visual masterpiece by Heinz Poll with a drive, propulsion and intensity that build with the famous crescendo. Verb Ballets remounts the striking contemporary ballet Aposiopesis by choreographer Charles Anderson. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. On stage children’s activities lead by Dance Institute starts at 7:45pm. Firestone Park is located at 1480 Girard St, Akron, Ohio 44301.

Lakeside Chautauqua

Verb Ballets performs with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor John Gordon Ross at Lakeside Chautauqua in Hoover Auditorium on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 8:15 PM. The Verb Ballets dancers will dazzle in Ohio Ballet founder Poll’s Andante Sostenuto noted for its true expression of beauty and gorgeous pointe work. In the Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote by the great 19th century Russian choreographer Marius Petipa, the dancers will showcase their dazzling technique. Other selections of repertory to be performed with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra are Tarantella, Broken Bridges and Aposiopesis. The performance is free with day passes to the Lakeside Chautauqua which are available for $23.50 for Adults and as always, kids age 12 & under and guests over age 90 are always free. Lakeside Chautauqua is a gated community located at 236 Walnut Avenue Lakeside, Ohio 43440.

Arts in August

Verb Ballets returns to perform at Tremont’s Arts in August on Saturday, August 11, 2018. This free community performance at Lincoln Park will showcase Verb Ballets’ dynamic programming through bold artistry. The Company will present the Cleveland debut of K281 by internationally acclaimed choreographer Adam Hougland. Verb Ballets remounts three variations inspired by Martha Graham’s iconic solo, Lamentation by nationally noted choreographers Antonio Brown (Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane), Chung-Fu Chang (Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Dance Theatre) and Ginger Thatcher (Lar Lubovitch Dance Company). Award-winning Philadelphia choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans’ work, Dark Matter is also featured. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. Performance will start at 8:30pm. Lincoln Park, located at W. 14th and Starkweather in the heart of Tremont.

Jun 19

Love2

Welcome to the new dancers and company promotions

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets welcomes new dancers and trainees to the company for the 2018-19 season. The group of four new dancers hail from all over the country. We are also pleased to announce company promotions for the season. Meet them below.

Benjamin Shepard

Dancer

Benjamin Shepard began dancing in Annapolis, Maryland and trained with Ballet Theater of Maryland, as well as attending summer programs at The Washington School of Ballet, The Kirov Academy, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. He then continued his training and education on a full tuition scholarship at Butler University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration and Dance. He had the privilege of performing as a guest artist during his time at Butler with Ballet Theater of Indiana; he performed the role of Gurn in La Sylphide as well as Dr. Seward in Dracula. While performing with Butler Ballet, his favorite roles he performed were Rothbart in Swan Lake, The Flower Cavalier in the Nutcracker, a soloist in Viva Vivaldi by Gerald Arpino, and the Second Movement Soloist in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. Benjamin joined Verb Ballets in 2018.

Emily Dietz

Dancer

Emily Dietz grew up in Mountain View, California, receiving most of her training at Western Ballet under Alexi Zubiria. She attended summer programs with ABT, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet. She continued her dance education at Butler University, graduating with a BS in Dance Arts Administration in 2016. During her time at Butler, she performed in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake and toured with Butler Ballet to Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Following graduation, she has danced professionally with City Ballet of San Diego and American Contemporary Ballet, where she danced in repertoire such as Betsey Wistrich’s Raymonda, Balanchine’s La Source, and Geoff Gonzalez’s Four Seasons. Emily joined Verb Ballets in 2018.

Daniel Cho

Apprentice

Daniel Cho is from San Francisco, California, and holds a BA special major in Dance and Education from Swarthmore College. He received his training from Point Park Conservatory, the Laban Conservatoire in London, the Ballet X Summer Intensive, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and the Coastal City Ballet in Vancouver, British Columbia. Daniel is a recent graduate of the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program, where he had the pleasure of performing works by Alonzo King, Angela Dice Nguyen, Sidra Bell, Shannon Gillen, Alex Ketley, Gioconda Barbuto, Maurya Kerr, and Gregory Dawson. He is thrilled to be joining Verb Ballets as an apprentice for the 2018-19 season.

Lexy Lattimore

Apprentice

Lexy Lattimore is a Massachusetts native. She began training with Judith Keochoven at the Academy of Ballet Arts. In 2010, Lexy matriculated to Duke University, where she worked with choreographers such as Andrea Woods (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company), Tony Johnson (American Dance Festival), Julie and Tyler Walters (Joffrey Ballet), and Reggie Wilson (Fist and Heel). She choreographed her own works, most notably for the 50th Anniversary of Black Students at Duke. She produced a full-length show, “A People to Believe In,” with residents of a historically black neighborhood in North Carolina. After graduating, Lexy joined SundanceX, a contemporary ballet company in Boston. In 2016, she moved to New York City where she continued to train with choreographers like Kyle Abraham, Milton Meyers, Nathan Trice, and at the Martha Graham School. Lexy began training with Verb Ballets in 2017 and has performed in an original work by Dianne McIntyre.

Natalie Ilona Hollopeter

Trainee

Natalie Hollopeter, native of Akron, Ohio, has studied ballet for 13 years and is a recent graduate of Ohio Conservatory of Ballet and Stabrova Youth Ballet Company under the artistic direction of Inna Stabrova and co-founder Dmitriy Tuboltsev. Natalie won 1st place at the 2017 NSAL Classical Ballet: En Pointe regional competition and was a national finalist. For the past two years she performed as a featured dancer in ensembles at YAGP that were invited to NY Finals. Her summer intensives include American Ballet Theatre – NYC, where she danced the role of Queen Myrtha, Giselle, Bolshoi Ballet Academy – NYC, Ohio Conservatory of Ballet on full scholarship and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “Company Experience” workshop. At age 13, Natalie danced in college-credited performances as a member of the University of Akron Dance Company and enjoyed opening for the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival through the University of Akron Dance Institute. Natalie performed for the first time with Verb Ballets in 2016. She is delighted to join Verb Ballets as a trainee for the 2018-2019 season as she finishes her senior year of high school as a post-secondary University of Akron student.

Benjamin Shepard

Benjamin Shepard, a recent graduate of Butler University joins Verb Ballets as a company member for the season. He began studying with Ballet Theater of Maryland, as well as attending summer programs at The Washington School of Ballet, The Kirov Academy and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. He had the privilege of performing as a guest artist with Ballet Theater of Indiana.

Emily Dietz

Emily Dietz has joined Verb Ballets as a company member for the season. Originally from California she trained at Western Ballet and attended summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet. A graduate of Butler University, she went on to dance with City Ballet of San Diego and American Contemporary Ballet.

Daniel Cho

From San Francisco Verb Ballets welcomes Daniel Cho. He is a graduate of Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program and Swarthmore College. He received his training from Point Park Conservatory, the Laban Conservatoire in London, the Ballet X Summer Intensive, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and the Coastal City Ballet. Cho has joined Verb Ballets as an apprentice for the 2018-19 season.

Natalie Ilona Hollopeter

Verb Ballet welcomes Natalie Ilona Hollopeter to the Trainee Program. She is from Akron and is a recent graduate of the Ohio Conservatory of Ballet under the artistic direction of Inna Stabrova. Hollopeter won first place in the regional The National Society of Arts and Letters for Classical Ballet: En Pointe and was a national finalist. She is finishing her senior year of high school as a post-secondary University of Akron student.

Company Promotions

Lexy Lattimore

Verb Ballets is pleased to announce the promotion of trainee Lexy Lattimore to apprentice for the season. Lexy Lattimore is from Massachusetts and began training at the Academy of Ballet Arts. Lattimore attended Duke University and has danced with SundanceX in Boston. This is Lattimore’s second season with Verb Ballets.

Jun 19

Love0

Verb Ballets welcomes new dancers and trainees for the 2018-19 season

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (June 18, 2018) – Verb Ballets, based out of Cleveland, Ohio, welcomes new dancers to the company and announces company promotions. Founded in 1987, Verb Ballets is a professional contemporary ballet company under the direction of Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson and Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson, MFA. The group of four new dancers hail from all over the country. Meet them below.

Benjamin Shepard, a recent graduate of Butler University joins Verb Ballets as a company member for the season. He began studying with Ballet Theater of Maryland, as well as attending summer programs at The Washington School of Ballet, The Kirov Academy and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. He had the privilege of performing as a guest artist with Ballet Theater of Indiana.

Emily Dietz has joined Verb Ballets as a company member for the season. Originally from California she trained at Western Ballet and attended summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet. A graduate of Butler University, she went on to dance with City Ballet of San Diego and American Contemporary Ballet.

From San Francisco Verb Ballets welcomes Daniel Cho. He is a graduate of Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program and Swarthmore College. He received his training from Point Park Conservatory, the Laban Conservatoire in London, the Ballet X Summer Intensive, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and the Coastal City Ballet. Cho has joined Verb Ballets as an apprentice for the 2018-19 season.

Verb Ballets is pleased to announce the promotion of trainee Lexy Lattimore to apprentice for the season. Lexy Lattimore is from Massachusetts and began training at the Academy of Ballet Arts. Lattimore attended Duke University and has danced with SundanceX in Boston. This is Lattimore’s second season with Verb Ballets.

Verb Ballet welcomes Natalie Ilona Hollopeter to the Trainee Program. She is from Akron and is a recent graduate of the Ohio Conservatory of Ballet under the artistic direction of Inna Stabrova. Hollopeter won first place in the regional The National Society of Arts and Letters for Classical Ballet: En Pointe and was a national finalist. She is finishing her senior year of high school as a post-secondary University of Akron student.

Photos or interviews available upon request by contacting
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 a broad audience. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets as, “Dashes 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 cultivates dance appreciation and nurtures wellness through movement in community dance classes, school residencies, senior outreach, library programs, master classes and college course partnerships. Verb Ballets has also 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. In 2017 Verb Ballets begins a year long celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the company. As one of the oldest dance organizations in Cleveland we are proud to produce high caliber work and continue to connect with communities across a four county reach.

Verb Ballets 3445 Warrensville Center Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44122 • 216-397-3757 • www.verbballets.org
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube @verbballets

Jun 18

Love0

Verb Ballets returns to Cain Park with a free performance

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH – Verb Ballets returns to Cain Park Evans Amphitheater on Friday, June 29, 2018 for a free performance as a gift to the community! Sponsored by Cleveland Heights residents and Verb Ballets’ board members, James D. Graham and David M. Dusek, the program will delight audiences with both classical selections and bold adventures works. Entitled Director’s Choice, Verb’s Directors Dr. Margaret Carlson and Richard Dickinson, MFA have chosen their favorite works from the 17-18 as the final performance celebrating Verb’s 30th anniversary.

Classical music enthusiasts will enjoy the choreographic inventiveness in Heinz Poll’s, Schubert Waltzes noted as, “catapults ordinary waltz steps into a delightful combination of classicism and wit”. Verb Ballets’ dancers will dazzle in a display of classical technique full of speed and high spirits in Tarantella, staged by former Cleveland Ballet dancer, Pamela Pribisco. Also featured is Dark Matter,an intense physical contemporary work by award winning Philadelphia choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans, described by critics as, “sleek encounters that brim with contrasting patterns and connections”. Verb Ballets’ dancer and choreographer, Michael Escovedo, remounts Broken Bridges to tell a family story of struggle with mental illness set to the haunting music of Shostakovich. International dance critics have reviewed Verb Ballets’ performances as, “classical ballet with a dash of American modern dance”. Don’t miss this performance to kick off the summer season and celebrate the arts in our community.

The Verb Ballets performance will start at 8:00pm. The performance is free. Gates will open at 7:00pm and seating is general admission. Cain Park is located at 14591 Superior Rd, Cleveland, OH 44118. Entrances are located at Superior, Lee and Taylor Rd.

Performance Details:
Friday, June 29, 2018 8:00PM
Cain Park Evans Amphitheater
14591 Superior Rd, Cleveland, OH 44118
Free and open to the public. No tickets required. Gates open at 7:00pm.
verbballets.org/cainpark

Photos or interviews available upon request by contacting
Jennifer Garlando, Director of Marketing & PR at jgarlando@verbballets.org.

Verb Ballets 3445 Warrensville Center Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44122 • 216-397-3757 • www.verbballets.org
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube @verbballets

Jun 12

Love1

Afterglow Party

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Join us for an afterglow party on June 29, 2018 following the Cain Park performance at the beautiful home of James Graham and David Dusek, conveniently located just minutes from Cain Park. Tickets are $30 per guest and benefit Verb Ballets. Tickets are limited, so advanced RSVP is required.

Jun 08

Love0

Cain Park

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances

Directors' Choice

June 29, 2018 8:00pm

Cain Park

Verb Ballets returns to Cain Park Evans Amphitheater on Friday, June 29, 2018 for a FREE performance as a gift to the community! Entitled Director’s Choice, Verb’s Directors Dr. Margaret Carlson and Richard Dickinson, MFA have chosen their favorite works from the 17-18 as the final performance celebrating Verb’s 30th anniversary.

Classical music enthusiasts will enjoy the choreographic inventiveness in Heinz Poll’s, Schubert Waltzes noted as, “catapults ordinary waltz steps into a delightful combination of classicism and wit”. Verb Ballets’ dancers will dazzle in a display of classical technique full of speed and high spirits in Tarantella, staged by former Cleveland Ballet dancer, Pamela Pribisco. Also featured is Dark Matter, an intense physical contemporary work by award winning Philadelphia choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans, described by critics as, “sleek encounters that brim with contrasting patterns and connections”. Verb Ballets’ dancer and choreographer, Michael Escovedo, remounts Broken Bridges to tell a family story of struggle with mental illness set to the haunting music of Shostakovich. Don’t miss this performance to kick off the summer season and celebrate the arts in our community.

This performance is sponsored by James D. Graham & David M. Dusek

SHOW DETAILS

June 29, 2018 8:00pm

TICKETS

FREE
No tickets required

THEATRE

Cain Park Evans Amphitheater
14591 Superior Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44118

Afterglow Party

Join us for an afterglow party on June 29, 2018 following the Cain Park performance at the beautiful home of James D. Graham and David M. Dusek, conveniently located just minutes from Cain Park. Tickets are $30 per guest and benefit Verb Ballets. Tickets are limited, so advanced RSVP is required.

Verb Ballets

Audiences return to see Verb Ballets for the exciting versatile programs. Critics hailed performances, “The audience – love the work – got to their feet for the dancers’ curtain calls”. Verb Ballets continues to celebrate 30-year history of bringing passion, beauty and the athleticism of dance to Northeast Ohio. Critics hailed performances, “The audience – love the work – got to their feet for the dancers’ curtain calls”. Verb Ballets continues to celebrate 30-year history of bringing passion, beauty and the athleticism of dance to Northeast Ohio.

Jun 07

Love1

New Tuesday Classes

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

New for the summer- Tuesday evening classes at Verb Ballets! Dance for Everyone community dance classes at Verb Ballets studio open to anyone who share the love of dance. Tuesday classes will be taught by Verb Ballets dancer Christina Lindhout.

Tuesday 6:00-7:00pm, Beginning Ballet, Christina Lindhout
For those with basic dance skills, this course guides participants through the structured format of ballet training: barre work, center floor, across the floor, and combination. The instructor will assess the skills of the class and devise a program that will build upon the skills that they already possess.

Tuesday 7:00-8:30pm, Intermediate/Adv Ballet, Christina Lindhout
The class specially designed to expand the classical vocabulary, movement potential and kinetic awareness of the student. The class constantly challenges students to refine their technique while learning more specific and technically advanced movements at the barre, in the center and across the floor. Ballet shoes are required.

Tuesday 8:30-9:00pm, Intermediate/Adv Pointe, Christina Lindhout
Students will utilize previously learned ballet technique while working in pointe shoes. These exercises focus on strengthening the feet and ankles. Class is $7.50 for the 1/2 hour class or $6.00 if you purchase a class card.

Classes are available for a variety of different ability levels from beginner to advanced. Drop ins welcome. No pre-registration necessary please come 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork. Cost is $16/class or $130 for a 10 class card. Discount available for Shaker Heights residents: $13/class or $110 for a 10 class card. For full listing of available classes click here.

Jun 07

Love1

What goes into training as a dancer

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Have you ever wondered what dancers must do to prepare for the stage? It takes lots of hard work. Verb Ballets dancers take an hour and half class every day. Typically, ballet but they also take classes in modern dance. Strength and flexibility are very important to dancer. Before class dancers must warm up and stretch. After class the dancers then continue in the studio for four hours a day learning and rehearing choreography. It is an incredibly physically and mentally demanding job!

Join Verb Ballets for an exclusive Ballet UpClose lunch time class viewing and showing to wrap up the 2017-18 season on June 22, 2018 at 12:00pm. This unique opportunity will provide insight into the training and how the dancers prepare their bodies and minds for performances. We will welcome and introduce new company members for the 2018-19 season. Also, on the program is an appearance of young students from the Fairmount Center for the Arts and the Adverb Project, a group comprised of adult student learners. Stay afterward for a meet and greet luncheon with the dancers.

Jun 06

Love0

Verb Ballets Summer Series Kicks Off

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (June 25, 2018) – Verb Ballets showcases performances throughout Northeast Ohio this summer with captivating choreography and a passionate dance. The contemporary ballet company’s Summer Series include performances at Cain Park on June 29th, Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival on July 27-28th, Lakeside Chautauqua on August 4th with the Lakeside Symphony and at Tremont’s Arts in August on August 11th.

June 29, 2018 8:00pm
Director’s Choice
Cain Park Evans Amphitheater
As a gift to the community, Verb Ballets returns to Cain Park Evans Amphitheater on Friday, June 29, 2018 for a free performance! This performance is made possible through a generous gift from Cleveland Heights residents and Verb Ballets’ board members, James D. Graham and David M. Dusek. Entitled Director’s Choice, Verb’s Directors have chosen their favorite works from the 2017-18 season as the final performance celebrating Verb’s 30th anniversary. Classical music enthusiasts will enjoy the choreographic inventiveness in Heinz Poll’s, Schubert Waltzes, played live by David Fisher, former Musical Director of the Ohio Ballet. The Verb Ballets dancers will dazzle in a display of classical technique full of speed and high spirits in Tarantella and in Tommie Waheed Evans’, Dark Matter, the dancers will awe you with the brilliance of their contemporary work. Verb Ballets dancer and choreographer, Michael Escovedo, remounts Broken Bridges in the telling of a family story of struggle with mental illness. The performance is FREE, and gates will open at 7:00pm for general admission. The performance is at 8:00PM. Cain Park is located at 14591 Superior Rd, Cleveland, OH 44118.

July 27-28, 2018 8:45PM
Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival
Firestone Park
Verb Ballets returns to The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at Akron’s Firestone Park on July 27-28, 2018. These free community performances will showcase the company in classical selections and bold modern works. The program will feature K281 by internationally acclaimed choreographer Adam Hougland. The ballet epitomizes the musicality of Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 3 in B-flat major, K. 281. The epic music of Ravel’s Bolero comes to life in this visual masterpiece by Heinz Poll with a drive, propulsion and intensity that build with the famous crescendo. Verb Ballets remounts the striking contemporary ballet Aposiopesis by choreographer Charles Anderson. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. On stage children’s activities lead by Dance Institute starts at 7:45pm. Firestone Park is located at 1480 Girard St, Akron, Ohio 44301.

August 4, 2018 8:15pm
Lakeside Chautauqua
Verb Ballets performs with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor John Gordon Ross at Lakeside Chautauqua in Hoover Auditorium on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 8:15 PM. The Verb Ballets dancers will dazzle in Ohio Ballet founder Poll’s Andante Sostenuto noted for its true expression of beauty and gorgeous pointe work. In the Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote by the great 19th century Russian choreographer Marius Petipa, the dancers will showcase their dazzling technique. Other selections of repertory to be performed with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra are Tarentella, Broken Bridges and Aposiopesis. The performance is free with day passes to the Lakeside Chautauqua which are available for $23.50 for Adults and as always, kids age 12 & under and guests over age 90 are always free. Lakeside Chautauqua is a gated community located at 236 Walnut Avenue Lakeside, Ohio 43440.

August 11, 2018 8:30PM
Tremont Arts in August
Lincoln Park
Verb Ballets returns to perform at Tremont’s Arts in August on Saturday, August 11, 2018. This free community performance at Lincoln Park will showcase Verb Ballets’ dynamic programming through bold artistry. The Company will present the Cleveland debut of K281 by internationally acclaimed choreographer Adam Hougland. Verb Ballets remounts three variations inspired by Martha Graham’s iconic solo, Lamentation by nationally noted choreographers Antonio Brown (Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane), Chung-Fu Chang (Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Dance Theatre) and Ginger Thatcher (Lar Lubovitch Dance Company). Award-winning Philadelphia choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans’ work, Dark Matter is also featured. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. Performance will start at 8:30pm. Lincoln Park, located at W. 14th and Starkweather in the heart of Tremont.

Photos or interviews available upon request by contacting
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.

Verb Ballets 3445 Warrensville Center Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44122 • 216-397-3757 • www.verbballets.org
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube @verbballets