Mar 23

Season Updates Due to COVID-19

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News, COVID-19

The health and safety of our entire community including our patrons, students, dancers, and staff is of the utmost importance to us. Verb Ballets has announced cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19. In response to national, state, and local advisories regarding COVID-19, here are updates about the remainder of our season:

Changes to the season

Spring Gala scheduled for April 3, 2020 has been cancelled.
NEOSonicFest previously scheduled April 4, 2020 is postponed until the fall.
Cleveland Public Theatre DanceWorks 2020 with Verb Ballets scheduled on April 23-25, 2020 has been cancelled.
Verb Ballets at Cain Park on June 26, 2020 has been cancelled. (Updated May 11, 2020)

Changes to programming

All School and Studio classes have been cancelled until Governor mandates change.
All Community Engagement and Education activities are cancelled or postponed to dates that will be announced later.

Ticket buyers of cancelled paid events can choose from these two options: A). Donate Your Tickets: We are asking you to consider donating the cost of your tickets as a tax-deductible donation to Verb Ballets. B). Or we can refund your ticket.

This shutdown will have immense financial ramifications on the organization, many being unpredictable at this point. We are committed to continuing our mission and are exploring new ways to connect. Follow us on on Facebook, Instagram and our website for media takeovers by dancers and ways to keep moving. If you have ideas of things you would like to see please email us back! We are all in this together!

Take care,
All of us at Verb Ballets

Mar 12

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Health and Safety Plan

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our students, families and employees. In light of recent news regarding COVID-19 (more commonly known as the Coronavirus) being present in the Northeast Ohio community, we want to share with you the steps we are taking to keep everyone safe. Our staff has met and will use proactive strategies in all of our spaces as necessary. Verb Ballets will continuously monitor and follow the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization and the Cuyahoga County Department of Health guidelines.

Our Action Plan in the interest of public health and safety:

Dance For Everyone classes will be cancelled March 16-March 29 at least. (updated March 15, 2020)
At this time we will be cancelling Dance for Youth classes through April 3, 2020. (updated March 12, 2020)
The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project presentation on Friday, March 13th will proceed.
The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project performance on Sunday, March 15th is postponed. (updated March 13, 2020)
Spring Gala scheduled for April 3, 2020 has been cancelled. (updated March 20, 2020)
NEOSonicFest previously scheduled April 4, 2020 is postponed until the fall. (updated March 20, 2020)
Cleveland Public Theatre DanceWorks 2020 with Verb Ballets scheduled on April 23-25, 2020 has been cancelled. (updated March 20, 2020)
All Community Engagement and Education activities are cancelled or postponed to dates that will be announced later.(updated March 20, 2020)
Enhanced environment cleaning procedures have been implemented in all studios and hand sanitation stations will be added shortly.
Barres wiped down at the beginning of each class.
Those students who express feeling ill while in class will be asked to call home so they may leave early or asked to return home.

What you can do to help you stay healthy:

Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.
Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with your arm or with a tissue, throwing the tissue away.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Verb Ballets Staff

Mar 03

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Spring Gala Sponsorship 2020

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Gala, News

Spring Gala Sponsorship 2020

Cancelled Friday, April 3, 2020

Sponsoring Verb Ballets’ Spring Gala on April 3, 2020 is a great way to help sustain Verb Ballets in a highly visible way for your company, organization or family foundation. This benefit will go directly towards supporting Verb Ballets operations, performances and outreach programs. Verb Ballets is a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt organization. All Sponsorships must be received by March 20, 2020 to be included in the program for the evening. Complete the form below to pay by credit card or mail checks to Verb Ballets 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

For any questions, please contact Nakiasha Moore-Dunson at 216-397-3757 ext 2 or nmoore-dunson@verbballets.org

Sponsorship Levels

$10,000 PRESENTING SPONSOR
12 Gala Tickets
20 complimentary tickets to a Verb Ballets season performance
Private studio viewing for up to 20 guests
Top billing on all benefit materials and website
Event night signage and recognition

$5,000 PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR
6 Gala Tickets
10 complimentary tickets to a Verb Ballets season performance
Logo on all benefit materials and website
Event night signage and recognition

$2,500 GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR
4 Gala Tickets
4 complimentary tickets to a Verb Ballets season performance
Logo on all benefit materials and website
Event night signage and recognition

$1,500 SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR
2 Gala Tickets
2 complimentary tickets to a Verb Ballets season performance
Logo on all benefit materials and website
Event night signage and recognition

OTHER SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Dancer Meals $2,000
Entertainment sponsor $2,000
Decor Sponsor $2,000
Printing Sponsor $2,000
Valet Sponsor $1,000

Sponsor Registration

Feb 22

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Meet Laura Alonso

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba, News

Laura Alonso, daughter of world-famous ballerina Alicia Alonso, is known as teacher, coach and an expert at staging the classics. Ms. Alonso had a 25-year performing career with Ballet Nacional de Cuba. As an award-winning teacher and coach, she travels the world teaching and staging the classics. As part of The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project, Cuban dance legend and Director of ProDanza, Laura Alonso returned to Cleveland in January 2020 to reunite with the dancers of Verb Ballets and stage the full-length classical ballet, Romeo and Juliet. The dancers of Verb Ballets traveled to Cuba in the end of February to join ProDanza for combined performances at The Teatro Nacional de Cuba running February 27 – March 1, 2020.

Phtoos: Liz Cooper @theballetexperiment

Laura Alonso

Laura Alonso, daughter of world-famous ballerina Alicia Alonso and renowned teacher and coach Fernando Alonso, is herself known as a teacher, coach and an expert at staging the well-known classics. For seven years, she served as the personal coach and teacher for international prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso. Dance Theatre of Harlem artistic director, former prima ballerina and former editor of Pointe magazine, Virginia Johnson, calls her an, “international master teacher extraordinaire.”

Ms. Alonso’s 25 year performing career with Ballet National de Cuba included soloist work in all of the traditional classics. Today she travels around the world teaching and staging the classics for pre-professional as well as professional companies such as London’s Royal Ballet School and The Royal Danish Ballet.

Although born in the United States, Alonso is a resident of Havana where she has an international dance school, Centro ProDanza, which welcomes 1,500 students, and a professional performing company, ProDanza.

A teacher of world-class experience, Ms. Alonso has taught for professional ballet companies all over the world including Cuban National Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, the Australian Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Tokyo Ballet, the Toronto Ballet, the Alberta Ballet. She was a member of the faculty at the Regional Dance America’s National Festival in 1997 as well as at the RDA/NE Festival 1998 and the RDA/SE 1999. For seven years, she served as the personal coach for international ballerina Alicia Alonso.

Ms. Alonso was honored with an award as the best coach at the Jackson International Ballet Competition in 1990. Her student, Jose Manuel Carreno, won the Grand Prix de Ville, the highest award possible. Ms. Alonso has served as coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson IBC and as jury member of the Concours International de Dance de Paris, France, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition and other competitions around the world.

Along with her expertise in working with professionals and aspiring professionals, Ms. Alonso is extremely gifted at working with young dancers of all ages and experiences. She is willing to instruct anyone who wants to learn and has transformed students in just a few classes. Alonso’s mission is to bring the highest quality dance to students everywhere.

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet In Cuba

Meet Laura Alonso

Laura Alonso, daughter of world-famous ballerina Alicia Alonso, is known as teacher, coach and an expert at staging the classics.…

Feb 03

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Meet choreographer Stephanie Martinez

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets was thrilled to welcome sought after choreographer Stephanie Martinez to studio last week. Her versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement language with original creations for Charlotte Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, Dance Kaleidoscope, Kansas City Dance Festival, Moving Arts Cincinnati, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, . In 2014, Martinez received a “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” award from The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Stephanie Martinez mounted Wandering On, originally commissioned by Eugene Ballet in 2017 on the company. The work is inspired by the Sanskrit word Samsara that translates as “wandering through the constant cycle”.This work will make its Cleveland premiere on February 8, 2020 at The Breen Center on a program of all female choreographers.

Don't miss the company premiere!

4X4: Four Works by Female Choreographers
February 8, 2020 8pm at The Breen Center for the Performing Arts

GET TICKETS

Stephanie Martinez

Chicago based choreographer and 3Arts Award winner Stephanie Martinez creates environments which captivate, connect, and move her audiences along a journey guided by the kinetic momentum of her work. With original creations for Charlotte Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, Dance Kaleidoscope, Kansas City Dance Festival, Moving Arts Cincinnati, National Choreographers Initiative among others, her versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement language. Stephanie’s choreography has been featured in collegiate dance departments across the country, featuring Point Park University, and Boston Conservatory. In 2010, she assisted Broadway legend Ann Reinking in setting the Fosse Trilogy, and in 2015 was awarded The Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission. Stephanie’s psychological, revelatory works will challenge the viewer’s notion of what is possible.

Feb 03

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Meet choreographer Kay Eichman

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Kay Eichman joined the original Cleveland Ballet directed by Ian Horvath and Dennis Nahat, in 1976. A distinguished 15-year career ensued, including principal roles in numerous traditional and contemporary works. She also danced with Giessen Ballet in Germany as a principal guest artist. Kay Eichman is now the ballet mistress for the Tri C Arts Academy is addition to teaching regionally. Debuting last season on the evening honoring Ian Horvath and as her tribute to dancing to the same score with the Cleveland Ballet, this full ensemble classical ballet will bring quick musical visualization to this well-loved score by German composer Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn Italian Symphony will return to the stage on February 8, 2020 at The Breen Center on a program of all female choreographers.

Don't miss this ballet!

4X4: Four Works by Female Choreographers
February 8, 2020 8pm at The Breen Center for the Performing Arts

GET TICKETS

Kay Eichman

Kay Eichman received her early ballet training from Pat Leclercq in New Orleans. She later studied on full scholarship at: The National Ballet, Washington D.C.; The National Ballet of Canada; The Conservatoire de Nice, France; and Joffrey’s American Ballet Center in New York.

Kay left the Joffrey II company to join Cleveland Ballet in its inaugural season. A distinguished 15-year career ensued, including principal and soloist roles in numerous traditional and contemporary works. Among these were Theme and Variations, The Four Temperaments, Agon, Concerto Barocco, Serenade, Rodeo, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker. She also had the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Kay spend on e season in Germany as Principal Guest Artist with the Geissen Ballet.

Ms. Eichman has served on the faculties of the Minnesota Ballet, The University of Akron (UA) Dance Program and the Cleveland School of the Arts (CSA). She is currently Ballet Mistress at Tri-C Creative Arts Dance Academy and is on the faculty at UA’s Dance Institute. Ms. Eichman is the recipient of the 2016-2017 School of American Ballet’s National Visiting Fellow. She was also named Outstanding Teacher by Dance Institute and received an Appreciation Award from CSA for commitment, dedication and outstanding works. In addition to teaching at numerous local studios, she has also taught company class for Verb Ballets, August Wilson and Greene Works Project. Kay is on the faculty of the IABD conference, and Joffrey Ballet Summer Session. Ms. Eichman has served as a talent judge throughout the United States with “Dance Caravan, Dance Explosion”, “Dynamite”, and others.

Feb 03

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Meet choreographer Kate Webb

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets is proud to have dancer Kate Webb step into an additional role as choreographer this season. Kate Webb has danced with Verb Ballets since 2015. She grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. This is the fourth work she has choreographed on the company.

In the fall she created a new full ensemble ballet to the music of Akron Jazz icon, Pat Pace. Titled Stellar Syncopations is inspired by the life cycle of a star. Mirroring the voracious piano, the stars can be placidly smooth, or unexpectedly syncopated. The company premiered the work in October at Tuesday Musical’s Fuze Series with live accompaniment by the musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio. This work will make its Cleveland premiere on February 8, 2020 at The Breen Center on a program of all female choreographers.

Don't miss the Cleveland premiere!

4X4: Four Works by Female Choreographers
February 8, 2020 8pm at The Breen Center for the Performing Arts

GET TICKETS

Kate Webb

Kate Webb grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. She trained around the country at numerous intensive programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Upon graduating from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts, she attended Butler University on both dance and academic scholarships. While dancing with Butler Ballet, she performed in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. After fulfilling her degree in three years, she graduated cum laude in May of 2015 with a BS in Dance-Arts Administration and high departmental honors. Kate joined Verb Ballets in 2015 and has been featured in works such as Peter Pan and Aposiopesis.

Interview with the choreographer

Your piece is about stars. Where did the inspiration come from?
Ever since I was a little girl I have always taken an interest in astronomy. My dad and I frequented the science museum and used to read “Scientific American” together, so I probably have a bit more knowledge about celestial objects than your average ballerina. When I first heard the music, I couldn’t help but notice the tings and chimes and how they reminded me of a star’s glinting in the night sky. After that thought came to mind, I began visualizing how the various musical movements each seemed to reflect a certain stage of a star’s lifecycle. It was an astronomical idea to abstract a stellar lifecycle, but one that I kept coming back to.

What is your process in developing a new work?
Usually, I find music that inspires me and see what general theme or idea naturally spawns from it. Then I start playing around with improv while listening to the music, noticing when certain steps or motions are palatable and jot them down in my notebook. I’ll also use my phone or iPad to capture some of my improvisation so I can go back and pull ingredients from it later. Once I have a solid idea of my theme and a well stocked pantry of steps, I get to work cooking them up into phrases of choreography. Once I give the meal to the dancers, I sometimes make tweaks based on what best suits their needs so I can cater to their taste and aesthetic.

What do you always do while stepping into the choreographer role?
I try to be both humble and prepared to lead. I work diligently outside of the studio to make the best use of the company’s rehearsal time leading up to and throughout the rehearsal process so I can create the best work possible in the time given. I also keep my mind open to changes—what you see in your head is often not what comes out in the studio…and sometimes that is for the best!

Is it hard to step out as a dancer and work with your colleagues in a different role?
It is and it isn’t. It throws my headspace off a bit because as a dancer, you are a team player, and it is rarely (if ever) your place to direct the room. I have to do a “mental quick-change” of sorts when I begin rehearsing my piece so that I switch gears to become an effective leader. My colleagues have been incredibly supportive of me in this choreographic role, so that definitely makes it easier. I can’t thank them enough for their patience and empowerment 🙂

Dec 28

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Cleveland Havana Ballet Project Tour

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News, Cuba

It is with great pride that Verb Ballets announces its second tour to Havana, Cuba! The company will travel in February 2020 to continue the international collaboration with ProDanza. As part of The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project, Cuban dance legend and Director of ProDanza, Laura Alonso returns to Cleveland in January to reunite with the dancers of Verb Ballets and stage the full-length classical ballet, Romeo and Juliet. Both companies will perform together for performances at The Teatro Nacional de Cuba running February 28 – March 1, 2020. There will be a tour group to Cuba lead by Global Relations Travel Club and opportunities to witness the collaboration in Cleveland.

World-renowned dancer, Laura Alonso, will work with the company

Laura Alonso, daughter of world-famous ballerina Alicia Alonso, is known as an award-winning teacher, coach and an expert at staging the classics around the world. Director of the professional company ProDanza, Alonso founded the international dance school Centro ProDanza. In addition to a 25-year performing career with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, she has also served as an international coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson International Ballet Competition, the Concours Internationale de Dance de Paris, France, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition and others.

A Cuban and American ballet company will perform together in Romeo and Juliet

As part of The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project Laura Alonso will be in residence with Verb Ballets January 6-27, 2020 to stage the full-length classical ballet, Romeo and Juliet. The dancers of Verb Ballets will travel to Cuba in February to join ProDanza for combined performances at The Teatro Nacional de Cuba running February 28 – March 1, 2020. This will be the second full length production the companies have collaborated on in Cuba.

The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project is made possible through the support of the Cleveland Foundation. This unique collaboration was highlighted by Pointe Magazine. Verb Ballets is honored to work on this cultural exchange project with Laura Alonso for the fourth year to bring the best of Cuban dance and American repertory to new audiences.

Project History and Timeline

2016

Verb Ballets was invited to participated in Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition, an international artist residency program through The Cleveland Foundation. As a part of a tour visiting Cuban artists, Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson met with world renowned dancer and director of ProDanza, Laura Alonso. There, they began the first steps in creating The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project to join the companies for one of a kind artistic exchanges.

2017

In 2017, Alonso came to Cleveland for two months to train the dancers of Verb Ballets in the Cuban ballet method. She staged the full length classical ballet, Yarini, by international dancer and choreographer, Iván Alonso, the grandson of Alicia Alonso in preparation for the collaboration.

2018

In the spring of 2018, this groundbreaking partnership toured Cuba for two weeks with performances at The Alicia Alonso Gran Teatro of Havana and the El Teatro Nacional by the combined companies. Bringing Verb Ballets to Cuba for the first time is an enormous cultural exchange and will integrate American dancers to the very best of Cuba’s ballet scene.

2019

Last February, Laura Alonso and principal dancer from ProDanza, Luz Martinez, returned to Cleveland for the third year of the project exchange to reunite with the dancers of Verb Ballets. This residency continued the exchange of Cuban and American repertory.

2020 January

Laura Alonso will be in residence in Cleveland at Verb Ballets on January 6-27, 2020 staging Romeo and Juliet on the company in preparation for the tour to Cuba. Ms. Alonso will also conduct teacher training with the company to learn the Cuban ballet method and create a curriculum for the youth program of the Verb Ballets Center for Dance.

2020 February

The dancers of Verb Ballets will travel to Cuba in February to join ProDanza for combined performances at The Teatro Nacional de Cuba running February 28 – March 1, 2020.

February 28- March 1, 2020

Romeo y Juliet

Together as The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project, they will present Romeo and Juliet at The Teatro Nacional de Cuba running February 28 – March 1, 2020. One of the most romantic ballets will unfold with passionate choreography, expansive sets, lush costumes, and exhilarating fight scenes in this grand-scale production. The classical ballet is staged and directed by Cuban dance legend and Director of ProDanza, Laura Alonso. The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project is made possible through the support of the Cleveland Foundation.

Opportunities to witness this cultural exchange in Northeast Ohio:

Live @ Noon with Laura Alonso

January 17, 2020 12:00pm

Verb Ballets Center for Dance
Tickets: $15

The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project Return Celebration

March 13, 2020 7:00pm

Verb Ballets Center for Dance
Tickets: $50

Cleveland Havana Ballet Project

March 15, 2020 2:00pm

Akron-Summit County Public Library Auditorium
Tickets: $10

February 27- March 2, 2020

Travel to Cuba

Experience Cuba in this once in a life time tour led by Global Relations Travel Club! The well rounded itinerary showcases the culture, history and beauty of Cuba and attendance at the premiere performance of Verb Ballets and ProDanza in Romeo and Juliet.

For more information on the itinerary and details email to be connected to the Global Relations Travel Club.

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet In Cuba

Looking back on Cuba

Read Article

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet In Cuba

Meet Laura Alonso

Read Article

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet In News

Cleveland Havana Ballet Project Tour

Read Article

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet In Cuba

Sigh of Relief—3/17

Read Article

Dec 11

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Sugarplum Success

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

The dancers of the Dance for Youth program and the Adverb Project, a community adult performance ensemble, displayed their talents for family and friends in studio. We couldn’t have had such a fantastic show without all of our amazing teachers, volunteers, parents and especially our wonderful students! We can’t wait to see you all in the spring!

Register for Spring Semester Now

For class descriptions and futher details about the Dance for Youth program click here.

Dec 06

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Spring Gala 2020

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances, News

Spring Gala 2020

Cancelled Friday, April 3, 2020

RSVP

Unfortunately, Verb Ballets has announced cancelled the Spring Gala due to COVID-19. This shutdown will have immense financial ramifications on the organization, many being unpredictable at this point. We are committed to continuing our mission and are exploring new ways to connect. We are asking you to consider donating the cost of your tickets as a tax-deductible donation to Verb Ballets. If your situation allows, please consider a donation of any size to Verb Ballets.

Honorary Chair, Dr. Margaret McKenzie President, Cleveland Clinic-South Pointe Hospital, and the board of directors invite you to the Spring Gala on Friday, April 3, 2020. The evening features an amazing grazing of sumptuous preparations by Trifles Catering. An intimate performance by Verb Ballets will be followed by the Fund-A-Need Live Auction by Bob Hale. Then dancing and mingling with the dancers. Your support of Verb Ballets annual Spring Gala will provide vital support necessary to maintain the high level of artistic performances, company’s operations, and educational programming our community has enjoyed for over three decades.

Sponsorship opportunities available starting at $1,500 learn more here.

The studio is located in the same building as The Dealership. Valet parking.