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Twas the night before the performance

By News

‘Twas the night before the performance

‘Twas the night before the performance, when all through the house…

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

Suddenly, out of the silence, arose such a clatter…

Of feet tapping, and bodies swaying, as if nothing else mattered…

With a leap and a twirl, so lively and quick…

They danced through the night, each move perfectly slick…

And what to their wondering eyes did appear…

But candies and sweets, joining in with cheer…

As dawn approached, they vanish from sight…

Whispering ‘best wishes to all, and to all a good night.

From all of us best wishes for a happy holiday season and New Year!

Your support amplifies the impact in each graceful movement we make, helping us to fulfill our unique vision. This fuels our forthcoming season of vibrant performances and high-quality educational outreach programs. Help us continue to be a beloved community asset with a tax-deductible donation to support our operations before the year concludes. If you’ve already made a contribution to this year, we extend our heartfelt thanks!

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Black Friday Sale!

By News

Black Friday Sale

Special Black Friday class card offer! Buy a five-class pass for $75! The Black Friday Sale, which is online only, ends at midnight on 11/29/24. No discount code needed, simply select the Black Friday Class Pass at checkout. Limit 1 Black Friday class pass special per student.  

Dance For Everyone

Ongoing drop-in dance classes for teens and adults!

OCBallet Center

3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Hts, Ohio 44120

 

Studio Entrance

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

A Season of Holiday Magic

By Performances, News

A Season of Holiday Magic

The Little Nutcracker

Experience the magic of the holiday season with a delightful twist on a classic holiday tale with Ohio Contemporary Ballet formerly Verb Ballets in the production of The Little Nutcracker. The new one hour ballet showcases the elegance of classical ballet through enchanting characters like the graceful Dew Drop Fairy and a lively party scene choreographed by Associate Director, Richard Dickinson. Accompanying the professional dancers on stage are the talented students from community partners along with our dedicated adult community students. This captivating ballet is an ideal holiday tradition for families and a wonderful introduction to the world of classical ballet for young children. This new version is crafted to ignite the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages, kindling the imagination with the enchantment of the season.

The Little Nutcracker
with the Youth Academy

November 11 & 12, 2023
Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

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The Little Nutcracker
with ArtSparks and the University of Akron Dance Institute

December 2, 2023
Firestone Theatre
Akron, OH 44313

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The Little Nutcracker
with Wilhelm Dance

December 9 & 10, 2023
Lakewood Civic Auditorium
Lakewood, OH 44107

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The Little Nutcracker

The storyline follows Clara, a young ballet student, on a magical Christmas Eve journey. After receiving a Nutcracker doll from the mysterious Drosselmeyer at her family’s holiday party, Clara descends into a fantastical world when the clock strikes midnight. Her Nutcracker comes to life to battle an army of giant mice, led by the fearsome Mouse King. When the Nutcracker appears to be near defeat, Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, allowing the Nutcracker to vanquish his enemy. Transformed into a handsome prince by Drosselmeyer, the Nutcracker leads Clara through the Land of Snow into the Kingdom of Sweets.

In the Kingdom of Sweets, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are welcomed by the Dewdrop Fairy and treated to a series of dances from various lands. These include Spanish chocolates, Chinese pretzels, Arabian coffee cordials, Austrian ribbon candies, and Russian cookies. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier also perform a graceful Pas de Deux. As a sign of friendship, Clara is invited to join the dancers, culminating in a breath-taking finale. As the Kingdom grows quiet and the dancers disappear, Clara is left sleeping, waking to discover it was all a wonderful Christmas dream.

About Ohio Contemporary Ballet (formerly Verb Ballets)

For over three decades Ohio Contemporary Ballet, formerly Verb Ballets, has connected with the community in Northeast Ohio through dance performances and educational programs. We are inspired by the rich past, present and future of dance in our region and are proud to be your Ohio Contemporary Ballet (OCBallet).

The company vision is currently led by Dr. Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer for the original Cleveland Ballet, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer. As a ballet company, our vision is to bring reliably excellent performances that delight audiences with a variety of choreographic works. We invest in dance as an artform for international cultural exchange. OCBallet seeks to engage top dancers and choreographers that reflect diverse backgrounds across the country and globe.

We see ourselves as not just a dance company, but as a valuable asset that enriches the lives of our community through providing access to dance opportunities, classes and education. Housed at the Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights, we are committed to be a leader of artistic vibrancy in the Great Lakes region.

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The Little Nutcracker in Shaker Heights

By Performances, News

The Little Nutcracker

November 11-12, 2023

Experience a delightful twist on a classic holiday tale with Ohio Contemporary Ballet formerly Verb Ballets in the production of The Little Nutcracker. The new one hour ballet showcases the elegance of classical ballet through enchanting characters like the graceful Dew Drop Fairy and a lively party scene. Accompanying the professional dancers on stage are the talented students from the Youth Academy and  along with our dedicated adult community students. This captivating ballet is an ideal holiday tradition for families and a wonderful introduction to the world of classical ballet for young children. This new version is crafted to ignite the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages, kindling the imagination with the enchantment of the season.

But the magic doesn’t end with the bows! Opening night join us for a VIP reception following the performance with the dancers. Children 5 and under can sit on a caregivers lap for free. This event has limited seating; we recommend by your tickets early!

 

These performances are sold out!

SHOW DETAILS

November 11 2023 7:00pm
November 12, 2023 3:00pm

These performances are sold out!

THEATRE

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
3558 Lee Rd Shaker Heights, OH 44120

TICKETS

SOLD OUT

Saturday $25 / $15
Saturday VIP $40 / $20
Sunday $20 / $10
Ticket fees apply

TICKETS

THESE PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT

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The Little Nutcracker in Akron

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The Little Nutcracker

December 2, 2023 7:00pm

Experience a delightful twist on a classic holiday tale with Ohio Contemporary Ballet formerly Verb Ballets in the production of The Little Nutcracker. The new one hour ballet showcases the elegance of classical ballet through enchanting characters like the graceful Dew Drop Fairy and a lively party scene. Accompanying the professional dancers on stage are the talented students from ArtSparks and the University of Akron Dance Institute, along with our dedicated adult community students. This captivating ballet is an ideal holiday tradition for families and a wonderful introduction to the world of classical ballet for young children. This new version is crafted to ignite the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages, kindling the imagination with the enchantment of the season.

Performance in collaboration with:

SHOW DETAILS

December 2 , 2023 7:00PM

THEATRE

Firestone CLC Theatre
470 Castle Blvd
Akron, OH 44313

TICKETS

$20 Adult General Admission
$10 Children General Admission
Ticket fees apply

TICKETS

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Arpino Centennial Celebration

By Performances, News

Arpino Centennial Celebration

September 22-23, 2023

Arpino Centennial Celebration

The dance world eagerly awaits the Arpino Centennial Celebration in Chicago this weekend. This will be a grand event presented by the Gerald Arpino Foundation to honor one of the 20th century’s most influential artists, Gerald Arpino. The event encapsulates lectures, masterclasses, and performances of Arpino ballets on several American dance companies. Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” is honored to have been selected by the foundation to mount his work, Celebration.

Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” is proud to open the festival on Saturday and share the company’s technical brilliance and virtuosity with the national dance community. We are the only other company to ever perform Celebration outside of the Joffrey Ballet. Ballet aficionados can expect to witness performances from renowned companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, Eugene Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Each company will bring to life Arpino’s legendary choreography, showcasing works that have left an enduring impact on American ballet.

SHOW DETAILS

September 22-23, 2023

Chicago, IL

TICKETS

Gerald Arpino

Gerald Arpino (1923-2008) was the Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of The Joffrey Ballet, the company he co-founded with Robert Joffrey in 1956. Born on Staten Island, New York, he met Robert Joffrey while stationed in Seattle with the Coast Guard. He studied with Mary Ann Wells, at the School of American Ballet, danced with Graham dancers May O’Donnell and Gertrude Schurr, and was a principal dancer with the original Joffrey company.

As resident choreographer, Arpino created over one third of the commissioned repertory for the Joffrey Ballet, including Sea Shadow, Viva Vivaldi, Olympics, The Clowns, Trinity, Kettentanz, Suite Saint-Saens, and Light Rain. He also had wide experience in Broadway musicals, on television, in opera, and staged musicals for the country’s leading festivals. Arpino’s ballets have been performed at the White House on several occasions, as well as around the world, to critical acclaim as well as controversial appraisal. So varied was his output, that one critic commented, “He’s not a single artist. He must be an alliance.” As one of the recipients of the 1974 Dance Magazine Award, his citation read: “To Gerald Arpino – more than any other choreographer, he has recognized the spirit of the times. His work speaks clearly of the anguish and the joy of being young in America today.” Upon Robert Joffrey’s passing, Arpino directed the Joffrey Ballet from 1988 until 2008, continuing Joffrey’s vision for the company by restaging important dance historical works, such as Léonide Massine’s symphonic ballet Les Presages (1933), and Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella (1948), as well as taking risks with new commissions such as the rock ballet Billboards (1993) to music by Prince. In 1995, Arpino moved the Joffrey Ballet to Chicago, where he established the Joffrey as a world-class company in the heart of the American Midwest, which continues to thrive today

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Lakeside Chautauqua 2023

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Lakeside Chautauqua

August 11, 2023 7:30pm

Lakeside Chautauqua

Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” performs with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director and Conductor Daniel Meyer at Lakeside Chautauqua in Hoover Auditorium. The performance will have a special appearance by soprano, Meghan DeWald, for Four Last Songs choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson. Plus, a new commission by Robert Gardner inspired by the sculpture Bacchanale Russe by artist Malvina Hoffman which embodies the dancing of Anna Pavlova. The show is free with a day pass to Lakeside Chautauqua. Day passes are $23.50 for adults. Admission is free for kids under 12 and guests over age 90.

SHOW DETAILS

August 11, 2023 7:30pm

THEATRE

Lakeside Chautauqua
Hoover Auditorium
119 W 3rd St.
Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440

TICKETS

The show is free with a day pass to Lakeside Chautauqua
Day passes are $23.50 for adults

TICKETS

Lakeside Chautauqua
Hoover Auditorium
119 W 3rd St.
Lakeside Marblehead, OH 43440

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Ballet Under the Stars 2023

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Ballet Under the Stars

August 4, 2023 7:00pm

Join us in studio for Ballet Under the Stars! Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” invites you and your family to come out to experience an evening of ballet. The event begins at 6:00PM with free ballet classes for youth ages 3-12. After that, enjoy the company in a free performance highlight of their work. During the performance, students from both the Youth and Community Divisions will make special appearances. A limited number of seats will be available; feel free to bring chairs to get comfortable while enjoying the show.

SHOW DETAILS

August 4, 2023
Youth dance class 6:00pm
Performance 7:00pm

THEATRE

Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” Center for Dance
located at The Dealership
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

TICKETS

Free to the community
Registration for classes required

TICKETS

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Arts in August 2023

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August 12, 2023 7:00pm

Arts in August

Tremont’s Arts in August presents Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet,” at Lincoln Park on August 12, 2023 for a free community performance. Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” returns to bring dance to Cleveland neighborhoods in this signature parks performance. These performances are free through the collaboration of Tremont West Development Corporation, LAND Studio, Cleveland Public Theatre and Ward 3. This event is fun for the whole family and welcomes creativity. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair.

The performance is FREE. No tickets are required. Registration is encouraged to anticipate the guests.

SHOW DETAILS

August 12, 2023 7:00pm

Raindate August 13, 2023

Lincoln Park
W. 14th and Starkweather
Cleveland, OH 44113

TICKETS

FREE tickets

Register for updates

TICKETS

Register for FREE Tickets

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Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival 2023

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July 28 & 29, 2023 8:45pm

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

The program will feature a rare opportunity to witness the company’s participation in the Centennial Celebration of Gerald Arpino, Co-Founder and former Artistic Director of the renowned Joffrey Ballet. As part of this momentous occasion, Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” has the distinct privilege of being the only other company, other than Joffrey, to ever perform Arpino’s iconic work, Celebration. This extraordinary opportunity allows audiences to experience the awe-inspiring artistry and captivating choreography synonymous with Arpino and the Joffrey Ballet. The program will also feature Artistic Associate Director Richard Dickinson’s creation, Four Last Songs. This poignant ballet explores the theme of loss through emotionally charged movement and powerful storytelling. Audiences will be moved by the performance, accompanied by a mezzo-soprano singing the lush poetry of Hermann Hesse and Joseph von Eichendorff, set to Richard Strauss’ hauntingly beautiful music. To complete the program, the company will present the world premiere of Bacchanale, choreographed by Robert Gardner. It will be a new work inspiration by Bacchanale Russe which stemmed from the work of Anna Pavlova.

Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. On stage children’s dance activities led by The University of Akron Dance Institute start at 7:45pm.

Ballet Masterclass
July 29, 2023 at 11:00am

University of Akron Guzzetta Hall, Albrecht Dance Studio
139 E. Buchtel Ave. Akron

Each class limited to 25 participants – high intermediate or higher level of technique. $10 fee/class, due at time of class. To sign up for a master class, please complete the form that can be found HERE. Have questions or want more information? Please contact Jane Startzman at email.

SHOW DETAILS

July 28 & 29, 2023 8:45pm
Children’s preshow 7:45pm

THEATRE

Forest Lodge Park
260 Greenwood Ave
Akron, OH 44313

TICKETS

FREE
Help us know how many fans are attending by registering

TICKETS

Forest Lodge Park

260 Greenwood Ave
Akron, OH 44313

GET DIRECTIONS

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