DanceWorks Week 1: OHIO CONTEMPORARY BALLET

April 17, 2025 - April 19, 2025

7pm, Thu/Fri/Sat, James Levin Theatre

While continuing CPT’s commitment to offering accessible pricing, we’re also offering specially priced reserved seating options as follows:

VIP: $80 reserved seat + bar voucher through the Box Office at 216.631.2727 x 501

General Admission Seating: $40 adult, $30 senior, $20 student

Choose What You Pay GA: First-come-first-served $10 and $1 tickets!

Tickets

Every year, Cleveland Public Theatre welcomes Northeast Ohio's most adventurous contemporary dance companies to the CPT stage for remarkable and premiere dance performances.

Every Friday is Free Bev Friday where select post-show beverages are on CPT.

Content Warning: DanceWorks is a presented series, which means we don’t always know the content entirely. CPT supports art in development, as well as social-justice-oriented work, and sensitive material may be explored. Because of the nature of art in development, we can’t provide additional content warnings for DanceWorks performances.

The James Levin Theatre is ADA compliant, featuring a ramped entrance and an all-gender, wheelchair-accessible restroom.

The Creative Production Team Includes:

Choreographers: Richard Dickinson, MFA and Heinz Poll

An Evening in Spain

Experience the Passion of “An Evening in Spain”

Immerse yourself in an evening where music and dance come alive, capturing the vibrant essence of An Evening in Spain. This dynamic program celebrates some of the most iconic and unforgettable musical scores, brought to life through dance performances that will captivate audiences.

Associate Artistic Director and choreographer Richard Dickinson, MFA, brings a bold new vision to Carmen. This version transforms Bizet’s iconic opera into a stunning one-act ballet making its first appearance in Cleveland. Through bittersweet choreography, Carmen explores themes of love, freedom and destiny, captivating audiences with its timeless story.

Adding to the evening’s brilliance is Heinz Poll’s Bolero, an electrifying masterpiece set to Ravel’s renowned crescendo. With rhythmic energy, dramatic capes, and mesmerizing unison movement, Bolero is a performance that has enchanted audiences for decades.

Perfect for dance and music lovers alike, this performance will leave a lasting impression long after the final bow.

Photo by Kolman Rosenberg

ABOUT OHIO CONTEMPORARY BALLET

Ohio Contemporary Ballet has been a trailblazer in the Northeast Ohio dance scene for over 35 years captivating audiences with innovative dance performances. We stand as a pillar of the Great Lakes region’s cultural fabric, redefining the art of dance with bold creativity and a deep connection to our community. Over the past 15 years, the company has built an impressive repertoire, collaborating with over 100 choreographers. Our audiences delight in a wide-ranging repertoire, from beloved classics and iconic masterpieces to new commissions and moving story ballets. These works create an inspiring artistic journey, captivating audiences with every performance.

Led by the vision of Dr. Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer with the Cleveland Ballet, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer, the company bridges the elegance of classical ballet with the dynamism of contemporary dance. The company’s journey has been one of evolution, beginning in 1987 as a modern dance collective and transforming over time into Verb Ballets. In 2024, Ohio Contemporary Ballet redefined its identity to capture the essence of performances audiences have come to cherish. This rebranding symbolizes the company’s commitment to honoring Ohio’s vibrant artistic legacy while proudly celebrating its home.