Photo: Shawnae Neujahr
Dr. Margaret Carlson
Producing Artistic Director
Dr. Margaret Carlson leads the Ohio Contemporary Ballet as Producing Artistic Director. During her 20-year tenure she has championed a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation. She is a dynamic force in the dance world and has made significant contributions as a performer, choreographer, educator, and arts administrator, both nationally and internationally.
Her performing career spans diverse genres, from gracing the stage as a principal dancer with the original Cleveland Ballet (1972-1983) to starring in numerous national tours of beloved musical theatre productions throughout the 1970s, including Sweet Charity, Ballroom, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brigadoon, Mame, Hello Dolly! and The Merry Widow.
Her artistic talents extend well beyond performance. For many years, she choreographed extensively for the Cleveland Opera and, as a dedicated educator and arts advocate, she has served as Director of the School of Dance at the University of Akron (1985-1993) and Dean of the School of Dance at the prestigious Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (1993-1999). She consulted both nationally and locally through her company, Carlson Consulting Group, Inc., with groups that have included The American Dance Guild, Chinese Performing Artists of America, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Ohio Ballet, Dancing Wheels, Ohio Youth Ballet, Ohio Conservatory of Dance, Tom and Susana Evert Dance Theatre, and White Cloud Studios, among others.
Dr. Carlson is highly regarded in the dance community and works tirelessly promoting dance. She founded the American Alliance of Dance Artists, held the position of secretary for the International Organization for Transition for Professional Dancers (a sub-committee of UNESCO), and served on the boards of prominent organizations such as DANCECleveland, the American Dance Guild, and the Hong Kong Ballet. Currently, she serves on the boards of Cleveland Dance Movement, OAAE (Ohio Alliance of Arts Educators), and OAPN (Ohio Arts Professionals Network). Dr. Carlson has served as a volunteer member of the Shaker Heights Community Emergency Response Team since 2007.
Recognized for her expertise as the regisseur for the works of Ian (Ernie) Horvath, Dr. Carlson played a key role in the making of the film about his life, No Dominion. Her commitment to preserving dance history reflects her deep understanding of the art form’s enduring value.
Dr. Carlson received her doctorate from Durham University in the United Kingdom.
Photo: Shawnae Neujahr
Richard Dickinson, MFA
Associate Artistic Director
Richard Dickinson has been an integral part of Ohio Contemporary Ballet for over a decade, serving as Associate Artistic Director since 2018. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Richard has danced as a principal and soloist with esteemed companies such as Ohio Ballet, Boston Ballet, Chicago Ballet, and Honolulu City Ballet. He is renowned for his tenure as a dancer with the Ohio Ballet that began in 1988. After dancing he then became director of the touring company. Richard was one of the eight dancers granted rights to Heinz Poll’s work before his passing. And has been instrumental in continuing the legacy of those cherished works.
He began his professional training at the Pasadena Dance Theatre at just 15 and was recognized early with the National Endowment for the Arts Emerging Choreographer Award. Among many career highlights, Richard performed in the PBS production of Frankie and Johnny, toured internationally with Rudolf Nureyev, and staged celebrated works as a director and choreographer across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Richard has held numerous leadership roles, including Artistic Director positions at Ballet Western Reserve, Great Lakes Festival Ballet, and Chamber Dance Theatre. He also served as Artistic Associate for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and directed Ballet Boston II. Richard earned his MFA in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University in 2005. He has choreographed numerous ballets for the Ohio Contemporary Ballet, consistently inspiring dancers with his deep passion for the art form and his dedication as a teacher.
