Category

News

Apr 29
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Moving Connections

By News

Moving Connections

Verb Ballets and the Akron Art Museum are proud to announce the return of Moving Connections Wednesdays beginning May 1 through May 29, 2019 at 11:30 am.

DETAILS

Wednesdays 11:30am
May 1-29, 2019

LOCATION

Akron Art Museum
1 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308

TICKETS

FREE but reservation required

RSVP

Moving Connections, a wellness program of Verb Ballets, is a movement workshop designed for the senior community to encourage creativity, engage social interaction and deepen an appreciation of the arts through the joy of movement. Moving Connections is led by professionally trained dancers and movement experts to help seniors develop flexibility, increase breath, exercise concentration that connects mind to body and increase cognitive function. The program is designed for all ability levels and can be done while seated.

This program includes a 10-minute art talk.

There is no cost to participate but registration is required.

For more information about sessions contact Desmond Davis, Verb Ballets Education and Outreach Coordinator, at ddavis@verbballets.org.

Akron Art Museum

1 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308

Apr 29
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Fresh Inventions at DanceWorks 2019

By Performances, News

Fresh Inventions

Verb Ballets returns to DanceWorks 2019 with vibrant performances that highlight bold artistry through a dancer’s lens. Fresh Inventions provides an artistic development opportunity for dancers to experience the other side of creation – choreography. Built on the creative talent of company members the evening premieres new works by Associate Artistic Director Richard Dickinson, MFA, company dancers Kate Webb, Daniel Cho, Michael Escovedo, and Antonio Morillo.

Fresh Inventions reflects Verb Ballets’ vision to be recognized as a catalyst to promote learning and encourage dialogue about dance as an art form. Each season Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson, presents a different challenge for the dancers to bring to the choreographic process. For this year the dancers are to work with orchestral music. Each year, Verb Ballets provides the support and education needed to grow  in choreographic technique. By providing the opportunity to experiment and learn, the company aims to elevate the quality and diversity of choreographic success in the field.

SHOW DETAILS

May 16-18, 2019 7:30pm

THEATRE

Cleveland Public Theatre
6415 Detroit Ave
Cleveland, OH 44102

TICKETS

Thu $15 Fri/Sat $25
Students & Seniors $5 off on Fri/Sat
Tickets call 216-631-2727 x501

GET TICKETS

2019 Choreographers

Richard Dickinson

Associate Artistic Director

Kate Webb

Dancer & Choreographer

Daniel Cho

Dancer & Choreographer

Michael Escovedo

Dancer & Choreographer

Antonio Morillo

Dancer & Choreographer

2019 Fresh Inventions

Learn more about the choreographers and the story behind their new works.

Cleveland Public Theatre

6415 Detroit Ave
Cleveland, OH 44102

Apr 05
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Junior Trainee Summer Camps

By News, Workshop

Junior Trainee Summer Camps

July 8-12, 2019 10:00-1:00pm
August 12-16, 2019 10:00-1:00pm

Verb Ballets invites students ages 16 and older who are studying at the advanced level for the Junior Trainee Summer Camp. The Junior Trainee Summer Camp seeks to develop young, ambitious dancers through an immersive experience into the professional dance world. Junior Trainees will participate in company class, learn repertory, watch rehearsals and get to meet company dancers. The personal attention provided by the Associate Artistic Director will help to guide each student towards their dance future. The tuition for each one-week camp is $150. Junior Trainee Summer Camp runs July 8-12, 2019 and/or August 12-16, 2019 from 10:00am-1:00pm at the Verb Ballets Center for Dance located at 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120. The studio is in the same building as The Dealership. Free parking available.

DETAILS

July 8-12, 2019
August 12-16, 2019

STUDIO

Verb Ballets Center for Dance
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

COST

$150/week

Register for Junior Trainee Summer Camps

Verb Ballets Center for Dance

3558 Lee Rd
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

The studio is located at in the same building as The Dealership. Please use Verb Ballets entrance on right hand side of building. Free parking available.

Apr 05
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Summer Dance Camp

By News, Workshop

Summer Dance Camp

June 10-14, 2019 9:00-12:00pm

Verb Ballets invites students ages 7-14 who are studying ballet for the Dance Camp led by Kenya Woods from June 10-14, 2019. The Dance Camp seeks to develop young dancers through classes in ballet, jazz, salsa, stretch as well as watching rehearsals and having a chance to meet company dancers. On Friday families are welcome to a showing. The tuition for this one-week camp is $150. Dance Camp runs June 10-14, 2019 from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Verb Ballets Center for Dance located at 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120. The studio is in the same building as The Dealership. Free parking available.

DETAILS

June 10-14, 2019 9:00-12:00pm

STUDIO

Verb Ballets Center for Dance
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

COST

Camp is $150

Frequently asked questions

Yes! We ask the girls wear a black leotard with pink tights and ballet slippers. Hair must be secured off the face and in a bun (if hair is long even). Boys are asked to wear gym shorts and a white shirt and ballet slippers.

Due to limited seating arrangement we ask all parents to drop off children in the lobby. The teacher will greet them and walk them to the studio. We ask parents arrive 10 minutes prior to the end of class.

We will invite all participants to invite guests on designated class observation days.  In order to allow the best class focus we ask that parents stay in the lobby. The teacher will walk them to the lobby for pick up.

Register for Summer Dance Camp

Meet the Teachers

Kenya Woods

Teacher

Kenya Woods, a native of Cleveland, Ohio holds more than 20 years of experience in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and leadership. She holds a degree in Dance from Tennessee State University. Some of her dance education credits include Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Dance New Amsterdam, and North Coast Ballet Theater. Madame Darvash, Dr. Diane McIntyre and Lynn Simonson have influenced her teaching style as well. She has worked in nationally and internationally at regional dance companies, universities and school systems as an educator, performer, and choreographer. Kenya teaches dance to students of all ages and continues to lead programs that help cultivate technique, artistry, body awareness and empowerment and appreciation for dance.

Kate Webb

Dancer and Teacher

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.

Verb Ballets Center for Dance

3558 Lee Rd
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

The studio is located at in the same building as The Dealership. Please use Verb Ballets entrance on right hand side of building. Free parking available.

Mar 26
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Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures

By Performances, News

SHOW DETAILS

April 17 & 18, 2019

THEATRE

EJ Thomas Hall
198 Hill St. Akron, OH 44325

TICKETS

$5 Tickets- Processing fees apply
The 12:30pm shows are open to the general public.

GET TICKETS

Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures

Producer and Exclusive Sponsor: Shah Capital Management

March 17 & 18, 2019 9:45am & 12:30pm (9:45am SHOWS SOLD OUT)

Children’s Concert Society presents Verb Ballets new story ballet Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures choreographed by Associate Artistic Director Richard Dickinson on April 17 & 18, 2019 at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron. Shah Capital Management is proud to be the Producer and Exclusive Sponsor for Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures. The ballet includes the professional dancers of Verb Ballets plus a special guest appearance by Josie Wolfenbarger with A Special Wish. The updated revival is based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of an Indian boy abandoned by his parents and raised by a pack of wolves, this exciting new work utilizes ballet to tell the story of Mowgli and his wild adventures. Verb Ballets’ new story ballet integrates a unique blend of dance styles and evocative instrumental music to transcend barriers to illustrate the value of acceptance and importance of community. The story ballet will feature new costumes by Janet Bolick and original lighting design by Ben Gantose. The story has a special appearance from Shri Kalaa Mandir-Center for Indian Performing Arts with traditional Indian dancers to feature the characters of Kaa, the python and Hathi, the elephants.

Children Concert Society presents the Concert Hall Series to tie performances into curriculum and offer an enriching opportunity of arts education for students. Children’s Concert Society works with schools across the county to bring in student to witness the magic of the theatre. The 45-minute story ballet is presented for two performances at 9:45am (SOLD OUT) and 12:30pm on April 17 & 18, 2019. Cost is $5 per student. Limited scholarships are available for students who cannot pay the entire admission fee. For schools or groups of five or more please call our office 330-972-2504.

The 12:30pm shows on April 17 & 18, 2019 are open to the general public and tickets are $5.

Producer and Exclusive Sponsor

The Children’s Concert Society (CCS) is a non-profit educational, volunteer organization founded in 1947 in Akron, Ohio. The first three concerts for the children of our community were given by the newly-formed Akron Symphony Orchestra during the 1947-48 school year. They were so enormously successful that, despite the demise of the orchestra, the women’s committee was determined to continue to provide musical pleasure and education to the school children of the Akron area. Accordingly, they formed a new organization–the Children’s Concert Society (CCS). CCS presented the Cleveland Orchestra from 1948 until 1975 and also presented concerts by the Akron Symphony Orchestra throughout it’s history.

CCS is an all-volunteer Board, except for one part-time administrator. Except for minimal office and operating costs, CCS channels all funding into artistic productions. Through time CCS has formed close collaborative relationships with schools, local Ohio artists and The University of Akron School of Music to connect children to music in our community. Bringing the highest caliber of artistic talent to the expanding minds of children. This is often many students first concert hall musical experience.

Mar 07
Love13

Dance for Everyone Spring Open House

By News

Join us to for the Spring community open house at the new Verb Ballets Center for Dance on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 2:00-4:00pm. Verb Ballets welcomes students of all ages wishing to study dance with its Dance For Everyone Community Dance Program. Verb Ballets offers monthly youth classes in addition to drop-in teen and adult classes. We welcome the community in for free class samplers, meet the teachers, studio tours and a special performance by the Adverb Project. Learn more about additonal summer camp opportunities.  The open house is at the Verb Ballets Center for Dance located at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights inside The Dealership. 

The Dance for Everyone Program allows people to nurture wellness, create a sense of identity and expression through dance and participate in healthy exercise. We offer a diverse array of ballet, stretch and jazz classes. The program provides classes on an ongoing basis. Drop ins are welcome for teen and adult classes. Children’s classes will run with monthly sessions.

Schedule of Activities

March 24, 2019

2:00-2:30pm
Creative Movement (Ages 3-5)
Studio B
RSVP
2:00-2:30pm
Adverb Project Performance
Studio B
RSVP
2:30-3:00pm
New to Ballet (Adult Class)
Studio A
RSVP
2:30-3:00pm
Pre-Ballet Class (Ages 5-7)
Studio B
RSVP
3:00-4:00pm
Muscial Theatre Class (Ages 12- Adults)
Studio A
RSVP
3:00-3:30pm
Stretch and Strength (Teen/ Adult Class)
Studio B
RSVP
3:30-4:00pm
Ballet (Ages 7-12)
Studio B
RSVP

The Adverb Project will perform during the community open house at 2:00pm. The Adverb Project is a group comprised of adults who have kindled an appreciation of dance and wants to share their love of movement. An extension of Verb Ballets’ community dance program, The Adverb Project is a performance ensemble comprised of adult learners. Led by Artistic Associate Director, Richard Dickinson, the project offers ongoing workshops to learn choreography and performance technique. The ensemble performs throughout the year in-studio and senior living facilities.

Dance For Everyone

Classes in ballet, stretch and jazz for children, teens and adults!

With a rich 30-year history, Verb Ballets is one of the oldest dance companies in the region. The internationally acclaimed and regionally loved professional ballet company engages audiences to experience the beauty of movement and stimulate creativity. In addition to renowned performances the company cultivates dance appreciation through community classes, educational residencies, senior movement classes, 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. Under the director of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, Associate Artistic Director the company mounts exciting projects that embrace diversity, history and cultural exchange.

Verb Ballets Center for Dance

3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Hts, Ohio 44120

 

Studio Entrance

Entrance to the studio is located in the garages behind The Dealership. Pull in north driveway on right hand side of the building. Ample free parking is available.

Mar 06
Love0

Cuban Ballet Masterclass with Laura Alonso

By News

Cuban Ballet Masterclass with Laura Alonso

March 16, 2019 1:00pm

Verb Ballets Center for Dance

Verb Ballets is pleased to present a masterclass taught by Laura Alonso. This Advanced/ Intermediate Advanced Cuban Ballet class is intended for ballet or dance students from 13 years old and up, including adults. The class is 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 about the Cuban Ballet method. Ballet shoes are required. The studio is located at in the same building as The Dealership. Free parking available.

DETAILS

March 16, 2019 1:00pm

STUDIO

Verb Ballets Center for Dance
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

TICKETS

Class is $25
Tickets are sold through EventBrite
Processing fee will apply

Laura Alonso, World Renown Teacher and Coach
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. Ms. Alonso has served as an international coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson International Ballet Competition, the Concours Internationalede Dance de Paris, France, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition and other competitions. Alonso founded the international dance school, Centro Pro Danza and directs the professional company ProDanza. Laura Alonso is in Cleveland to continue the international collaboration with Verb Ballets and ProDanza as the Cleveland Havana Ballet Project in a month-long cultural exchange. Laura Alonso has reunited with the dancers of Verb Ballets for the third year and is in studio to set works in the Cuban Ballet method. This project is supported through the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition.The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project returns to Cleveland with Cuban dance legend, Laura Alonso. Verb Ballets and Pro Danza continue their international collaboration with a month-long cultural exchange in Cleveland. Laura Alonso will reunite with the dancers of Verb Ballets for the third year.

Register for the Masterclass with Laura Alonso

Verb Ballets Center for Dance

3558 Lee Rd
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

The studio is located at in the same building as The Dealership. Please use Verb Ballets entrance on right hand side of building. Free parking available.

Mar 06
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Laura Alonso Returns to Verb Ballets

By News

The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project returns to Cleveland with Cuban dance legend, Laura Alonso. Verb Ballets and Pro Danza continue their international collaboration with a month-long cultural exchange in Cleveland. This project blossomed in 2016-17 season when Alonso came to Verb Ballets to train the dancers in the Cuban ballet method for two months through the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition. The company directors Dr. Margaret Carlson and Laura Alonso then came together last season to join the companies for a one of a kind artistic exchange of Cuban and American repertory that toured Cuba. The cultural exchange will continue in the United States this season with a principal dancer of ProDanza coming to Verb Ballets.

 

Year 1 : 2016-17 Season

Verb Ballets hosted Laura Alonso for a two month residency through The Cleveland Foundation Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition. Verb Ballets’ Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Director had the opportunity to go to Cuba and visit Laura Alonso before she arrived in Cleveland. Through the work of Laura Alonso’s mother, Alicia Alonso, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba was founded and created one of the best ballet training grounds in the world. Laura Alonso’s professional company ProDanza resides in Havana. Her company continues to thrive with beautiful and hardworking professional dancers with honed technique despite the rough working conditions. 

Year 2 : 2017-18 Season

The company directors Dr. Margaret Carlson and Laura Alonso then came together to join the companies for a one of a kind artistic exchange of Cuban and American repertory. Last season this groundbreaking partnership toured Cuba for two weeks with performances at The Alicia Alonso Grand Theater of Havana and the El Teatro Nacional by the combined companies. This unique internatioanl collaboration was featured on Pointe Magazine.

Year 3 : 2018-19 Season

The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project returns to Cleveland with Cuban dance legend, Laura Alonso. Verb Ballets and Pro Danza continue their international collaboration with a month-long cultural exchange in Cleveland. Laura Alonso and her principle dancer Luz Marina Hidalgo Alejo will travel to Cleveland to reunite with the dancers of Verb Ballets for the third year of this international collaboration.

Opportunities to see The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project

Laura Alonso

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. Ms. Alonso has 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 other competitions. Alonso founded the international dance school, Centro Pro Danza and directs the professional company Pro Danza.   

Feb 06
Love1

Kay Eichman in Studio

By News

Verb Ballets is excited to welcome Kay Eichman in studio. Eichman joined Cleveland Ballet in 1976, in its first season at the Hanna Theatre. A distinguished 15-year career ensued, including principal roles in numerous traditional and contemporary works. The program will close with the comapny premiere of Kay Eichman’s new neoclassical ballet, Mendelssohn Italian Symphony. The sophisticated and fast moving work requires brilliant technique.  Her new ballet is inspired by her memories of dancing to the same symphony with Cleveland Ballet.

Kay Eichman

Kay Eichman received her early ballet training from Pat Leclercq in New Orleans. She later studied on scholarship at the National Ballet, Washington DC; 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 roles in numerous traditional and contemporary works. Among these were Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, The Four Temperaments, Agon, Concerto Barocco, and Serenade. Kay also spent one season in Germany as Principal Guest Artist with the Giessen Ballet. As a teacher, she has served on the faculties of the School of The Minnesota Ballet, The University of Akron Dance Program, and currently at the Dance Institute of Akron. During her tenure at the Cleveland School of the Arts, Kay served as guest artist, teacher, ballet mistress, and co-director of the Dance Department. In addition to teaching at numerous local studios, she has also taught company class for Verb Ballets, August Wilson, and Greene Works Project. Kay was on the faculties of IABD conference, Joffrey Ballet Jazz & Contemporary Summer Session, and Dance Caravan; and served as a talent judge throughout the United States with “Dance Explosion,” “Dynamite,” and others. She is now the Ballet Mistress for the Tri C Arts Academy.

Don't miss the company premiere!

Saturday, February 9, 2019 : The Breen Center for the Performin Arts : Tickets $10-35

Jan 31
Love0

Margaret Mullin in Studio

By News

Margaret Mullin, a renowned soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet, received a prestigious fellowship from the Princess Grace Foundation. Mullin began her training at Ballet Arts Tucson with Mary-Beth Cabana, a former Cleveland Ballet Principal Dancer. At the age of 13 she first saw Ian Horvath’s Laura’s Women performed. She was so struck by the profound beauty of the ballet she counldn’t get it out of her head 11 years later. She then joined forces with Nel Shelby to create the documentary No Dominion, The Ian Horvath Story.

Margaret Mullin came to Cleveland to set Ian Horvath’s No Dominion on Verb Ballets the first week of January. Ian Horvath choreographed his final work No Dominion, for the Jose Limon Dance Company in 1988. Set to Sir William Walton’s cello concerto, the work for an all-male cast is a reflection on his impending death from AIDS. No Dominion takes its title from the poem “And Death Shall Have No Dominion,” by Dylan Thomas. This peice will be featured on the two programs celebrating the life and work on Ian Horvath in February.

© Lindsay Thomas

Margaret Mullin

Margaret Mullin is from Tucson, Arizona. She studied on scholarship at Ballet Arts Tucson with Mary-Beth Cabana and at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Ballet Tucson and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She was the recipient of a Thurber Scholarship Award in 2003 and 2004, the 2007 Founding Director Scholarship Award from Angela Whitehill of Burklyn Ballet, and a 2011 Princess Grace Award recipient. Ms. Mullin joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2008. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 2009 and soloist in 2013.

Ms. Mullin has choreographed works for Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Choreographers’ Showcase and NEXT STEP. In 2012, she choreographed her first ballet, Lost in Light, for the Company. She has also choreographed works, performed as a guest artist (including a leading role in Antony Tudor’s Continuo), and served as guest teacher for Ballet Tucson and Ballet Arts School in Tucson.