Category

2026-27 Season

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

By 2026-27 Season

July 24 & 25, 2026 8:45pm

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

Forest Lodge Park

TICKETS

The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival presents Ohio Contemporary Ballet on July 24-25, 2025, 8:45pm for two FREE performances at Forest Lodge Park in Akron.

Ohio Contemporary Ballet is proud to take the stage at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, joining a celebrated tradition of free outdoor performances that bring exceptional dance to audiences in Summit County. This annual appearance reflects our deep commitment to expanding access to dance performances. Join us under the summer sky and experience the artistry, energy, and connection that define our company—admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair for lawn seating. Pre-show children’s dance activities led by The University of Akron Dance Institute start at 7:45pm.

July 24 & 25, 2025 8:45pm

VENUE

Forest Lodge Park
Baseball field at the corner of Jefferson Ave./S. Hawkins Ave.
Akron, OH 44313

TICKETS

FREE

Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair for lawn seating

Festival Preview Performance

New this season! Enjoy a preview performance of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival featuring Ohio Contemporary Ballet at the Akron Art Musuem on June 18 at 6:30pm followed by a Q&A with the artists. This performance is FREE. Guests are asked to RSVP in advance here.

Celebrating A Decade of Grace

By 2026-27 Season

August 1, 2026 8:30pm

Celebrating a Decade of Grace

Tremont’s Lincoln Park

TICKETS

Join us for a FREE unforgettable evening as beloved company dancer Kelly Korfhage takes her final bow after a remarkable decade with the company. Hometown audiences have long experienced the breathtaking beauty of Kelly’s dancing: she is celebrated for her exquisite pointe work and striking lines. This special farewell performance marks her last performance with the company as she retires to begin her next chapter. To make this heartfelt celebration even more meaningful, Kelly has personally selected some of her favorite works from her time on stage. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair for lawn seating.

This performance is presented in partnership with Tremont West Development Corporation and generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

Saturday, August 1, 2026 8:30pm

VENUE

Lincoln Park
1200 Starkweather Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Photo: Shawnae Neujahr

Kelly Korfhage

Kelly Korfhage, a native of Cleveland, began her training at age 10 under Joanne H. Morscher and Ana Lobe. She attended summer intensives at ABT, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, BalletMet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Ballet Performance. After graduation, Kelly danced with Kansas City Ballet 2 for two seasons. She has made guest appearances with Dayton Ballet and Kentucky Ballet Theatre. She also recently performed at the Gerald Arpino Centennial Celebration in Chicago. In the ten seasons she has been with Ohio Contemporary Ballet, Kelly has been featured in works such as Andante Sostenuto and Light Rain, along with completing three international tours to Cuba and Taiwan.

Register for FREE Tickets

Summer Sunset

By 2026-27 Season

August 22, 2026 7:00pm

Summer Sunset

Lake Erie College

TICKETS

Join OCBallet as we close out our summer season with a FREE performance for students and community at Lake Erie College.

As the warm glow of summer settles over the Great Lakes region, Ohio Contemporary Ballet invites you to experience an evening of dance that celebrates the season’s beauty, warmth, and quiet wonder. The professional contemporary ballet company brings its signature energy, versatility, and charisma to a program designed to move and inspire. Through bold choreography and graceful movement, Summer Sunset captures the golden light of long summer days and the gentle calm of dusk. Whether you are a longtime dance enthusiast or experiencing live performance for the first time, this program offers something for everyone to enjoy. Join us at Lake Erie College for an unforgettable evening of artistry and community. Reserve your seats today and let the magic of summer come alive on stage.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 7:00pm

VENUE

Lake Erie College
Royce Hall for the Fine & Performing Arts
Gillett Street
Painesville, OH 44077

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Register for FREE Tickets

Chagrin Lee Block Party

By 2026-27 Season

August 29, 2026 3:00pm

Chagrin Lee Block Party

OCBallet Center

TICKETS

Chagrin Lee Block Party

The Chagrin-Lee Fest returns for its 4th annual celebration, and Ohio Contemporary Ballet is delighted to take part! Join us on Saturday, August 29, for a day of art, community, and connection in the heart of Shaker Heights.

This year’s festival spans Lee Road and Chagrin Boulevard, and for the first time in 2026, it extends to The Dealership—the home of Ohio Contemporary Ballet. The day brings together beloved community vendors and local businesses, offering something for every member of our neighborhood to enjoy.

We warmly invite you to step inside The Dealership and experience our studios firsthand. At 3:00 PM, the company will present a captivating 45-minute performance featuring highlights from our repertoire—a vibrant showcase of the artistry and energy that define Ohio Contemporary Ballet. A limited number of folding chairs will be available to use; we recommend bringing lawn chairs to ensure you can sit during the performance.

This performance is generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

August 29, 2026 3:00pm

VENUE

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Hts., OH 44102

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Register for FREE Tickets

Ballet at the Beck

By 2026-27 Season

September 12, 2026 7:00pm

Ballet at the Beck

Beck Center for the Arts

TICKETS

Ohio Contemporary Ballet marks a joyful homecoming to the Beck Center for the Arts to share the power of contemporary ballet with the West Side community with a FREE performance. This bold program celebrates the artistry, energy, and versatility that define our company, honoring the rich traditions of dance while embracing new visions. Rooted in the Great Lakes region, the company aims to commission fearless new works and elevate diverse voices, reflecting an enduring commitment to artistic excellence and community.

This performance was generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

September 12, 2026 7:00pm

VENUE

Beck Center for the Arts
17801 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Register for FREE Tickets