Masterclass with Richard Dickinson

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 and was promoted to Associate Artistic Director for Ohio Ballet. 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.