New Name, New Ballet, and a Celebration of Franz Schubert’s Music [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato For the third time in its 35-year history Verb Ballets, formerly The Repertory Project, is getting a new name. The slow rollout to becoming Ohio Contemporary Ballet in the next 2-3 years begins this season with the transitional moniker of Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet”. The new name reflects the vision, direction, and branding of the company by Producing Artistic Director Dr. Margaret … Continue reading New Name, New Ballet, and a Celebration of Franz Schubert’s Music [PREVIEW]

Cleveland Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ Looks To Be Its Best Yet [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato When Gladisa Guadalupe’s reconstituted Cleveland Ballet emerged on Northeast, Ohio’s dance scene in 2014, it was a fledgling professional ballet company with modest expectations. Now entering its 8th season, with an ever-improving roster of dancers, a growing budget nearing 3 million dollars, and much of the other trappings of a proper ballet organization, expectations are much higher as the troupe has taken … Continue reading Cleveland Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ Looks To Be Its Best Yet [PREVIEW]

A Conversation With Jodie Gates: The Cincinnati Ballet Director’s Vision Comes Into Focus

By Steve Sucato for Pointe Magazine When Jodie Gates was named Cincinnati Ballet’s new artistic director, succeeding Victoria Morgan, she came to the position with a wealth of industry knowledge and decades-long dance experience. Back in January, she talked to Pointe about her big-picture vision for where she wanted to take the company. Now, having officially begun her journey with Cincinnati Ballet—which is currently in the midst of … Continue reading A Conversation With Jodie Gates: The Cincinnati Ballet Director’s Vision Comes Into Focus