Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” is a company that presents bold works and builds community through dance
The professional company is comprised of 10 dancers from across the nation and globe. The company strives to commission new works while maintaining dance virtuosity and production excellence on par with the historic leading companies of the region. The company provides a stage for choreographers who elevate marginalized voices and reflect our times. Verb envisions a company that builds community, at home and abroad, utilizing dance.
Visit us at the OAPN Conference at Booth #224.
About the Company
Verb Ballets is an action-oriented company that commissions and makes new dance works, preserves contemporary repertory, and builds community through performances and educational programs. Verb honors the deep roots of the ballet-based companies that preceded it in the Great Lakes region, including the all-female contemporary dance collective from which it draws its origin. Today, the company is under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer for Cleveland Ballet, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer. Verb continuously strives to promote equity in the field and to be an organization that embraces antiracism.
Building community and offering opportunities to learn through dance are at the core of Verb’s mission. Verb aims to bring programs out to the public, meeting people where they live, work, and learn. Children’s programs explore topics such as arts appreciation, literacy, STEM, and cultural diversity. Verb also offers programs for seniors that emphasize movement to encourage socialization and wellness. Verb seeks to create programming that highlights the positive impact of dance by working with community partners to provide free and low-cost performances.
Offering
- Mixed Rep Performances
- Family Programming
- Children’s Programming
- Community Outreach
- Master Classes
- Senior Movement Workshops
- Speaking Engagements
- Industry Experience Field Trips
Enough Talk, Let's Work Together
Latest commission
Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” is committed to promoting cultural exchange, diversity, equity, and inclusion through dance. Verb also focuses attention on curating choreographers of color and enabling them to work with the company, as well as providing a stage for choreographers who elevate marginalized voices. Inspired by the Ancient Greek tragedy Antigone, choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans’ new work Anti/gone. Known for his social justice themes, the choreographer explores the mind sets of the characters from the Greek myth. The tension between action and fate will come to life with an electrifying, original score by composer Greg Smith, and complemented by costumes created by runway designer Philista Mills.
Performing Requirements
- Stage: The minimum performing area is 36′ wide by 28′ deep from front curtain to crossover
- We carry our own marley floor, costumes, sets, props, and color (gels) for lighting
- We require the presenter to provide lighting and sound equipment, soft goods, crew, and safe stage surface and dressing room facilities
- The company has a long history of bringing ballet to the community in outdoor settings including full stages in parks to outdoor amphitheaters.
- Touring staff – 10-12 Dancers, 2-3 Artistic staff: 2-3, 2 Technical staff
- Full Tech rider available upon request
Family programming
Both of these stunning productions are full length ballets with hand painted European sets and amazing costumes. They also provides an excellent opportunity to involve local studios and community groups in the production and is an unforgettable chance to work with a professional company. Get in touch with us to learn more!
The Nutcracker
Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” presents The Nutcracker, a holiday favorite. The production features stunning, hand painted sets painted in Europe and over 110 costumes donated by Kim and Jeremy White Foundation. The Nutcracker provides an excellent opportunity to involve local studios and community groups in the production and is an unforgettable chance to work with a professional company. This magical story comes to life on stage with a warm sense of nostalgia celebrating the holiday season.
Peter Pan
Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” presents the story of Peter Pan, the enchanting tale of a boy who refuses to grow up. When Peter loses his shadow in the home of the Darling family, he makes new friends and shows them just how easy it is to fly off to Neverland. The production features vibrant sets hand painted in Europe and donated by Kim and Jeremy White Foundation. The theatrical and fast-moving story makes this the perfect ballet for all ages. From the “tick-tock” of the crocodile, to Wendy’s dance with Peter, this ballet will charm and delight audiences.
Reaching beyond the stage
Building community and offering opportunities to learn through dance are at the core of Verb’s mission. Verb aims to bring programs out to the public, meeting people where they live, work, and learn. The company’s children’s programs explore topics such as arts appreciation, literacy, STEM, and cultural diversity. Verb also offers programs for seniors that emphasize movement to encourage socialization and wellness. The company can bring programing to the community a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, arts institutions, healthcare facilities and more!
Community Outreach
Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” builds community and offers opportunities to learn through dance. The company aims to bring its programs out to the public, meeting community members where they live, work, and learn. Verb’s children’s programs explore topics ranging from arts appreciation, literacy, STEM, and cultural diversity. Verb also offers programs for seniors that emphasize movement as a way to encourage socialization and wellness. The company connects with communities in various non-stage settings including schools, community centers, healthcare facilities and more!
Children's Programming
Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” offers a variety of educational programs for children including Peter Pan, Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, Shape Imagination, WiggleWords, and Around the World in Dance. Most programs can easily be performed in small theaters, schools, gyms, libraries, museums, and community centers. These performances can be paired with interactive educational opportunities that can be linked to Ohio’s curriculum standards. Verb is registered as an Ohio Artist on Tour through the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Teaching Artist Roster.
