Dance, Sports, Tragedy and Triumph, ‘The Running Show’ is a Winner [REVIEW]

Monica Bill Barnes & CompanyThe Running ShowThe University of Akron’s E. J. Thomas Performing Arts HallAkron, OH September 25, 2021 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Billed as an athletic, humorous and insightful dance-theater work/live documentary that looks at the life of a dancer as athlete/sports figure, Monica Bill Barnes & Company’s The Running Show did that as well as creating a glorious and touching metaphor for … Continue reading Dance, Sports, Tragedy and Triumph, ‘The Running Show’ is a Winner [REVIEW]

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS RALLY TO PROVIDE GREATER ACCESSIBILITY DURING HEINZ POLL SUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL

By Kat Allen  AKRON, OH (Sept. 23, 2021) – Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD), Advancing Independence Network, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Direction Home Akron Canton, the City of Akron, and the team behind the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival collaborated to offer a variety of accessibility elements for this summer’s outdoor dance festival. The partners worked to develop and implement solutions focused on inclusion … Continue reading LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS RALLY TO PROVIDE GREATER ACCESSIBILITY DURING HEINZ POLL SUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL

Chamber Dance Project presents ‘New Works, New Places: An Evening of Dance on Film’ at The Kennedy Center

By Rae Holliday WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chamber Dance Project, Washington’s premier contemporary ballet company, presents New Works, New Places: An Evening of Dance on Film, on Thurs., Oct. 7 at 6:30pm and 8:30pm in the Justice Forum at the REACH at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Company dancers and choreographers collaborated with renowned filmmakers to create five unique films, shot at locations in Washington, … Continue reading Chamber Dance Project presents ‘New Works, New Places: An Evening of Dance on Film’ at The Kennedy Center

GroundWorks DanceTheater Announces Antonio Brown as First Artist In Residence

By Jimmy Schlemmer Cleveland, OH – GroundWorks DanceTheater announces the appointment of Antonio Brown as our first Artist in Residence for the coming season. This newly created position will give the artist opportunities for longer and deeper creation time with the company. Executive Artistic Director David Shimotakahara welcomes Antonio, “I look forward to continuing the wonderful creative connection we created with Antonio during GroundWorks’ 20-21 … Continue reading GroundWorks DanceTheater Announces Antonio Brown as First Artist In Residence

DANCECleveland’s New Mainstage Season to Feature Familiar Favorites

By Steve Sucato Entering its 65th season of presenting dance to Northeast, Ohio audiences, DANCECleveland has new leadership as former DANCECleveland Executive Director and local dance icon Pamela Young retired. Filling Young’s shoes are and newly promoted Artistic Director, Sarah Sumbrum and new Executive Director Theresa Remnick. Young served as DANCECleveland Executive Director for the past 18 years pulling the organization out of financial life-support … Continue reading DANCECleveland’s New Mainstage Season to Feature Familiar Favorites

Hope Muir Is More Than Ready for Her New Role at National Ballet of Canada

By Steve Sucato On July 7, the National Ballet of Canada announced Hope Muir as its new artistic director, following a two-year international search. Muir, who was born in Toronto and is the current artistic director of Charlotte Ballet, succeeds Karen Kain, who stepped down on June 30. Muir began her dance training at age 3 in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke. In 1987, at age 15, she moved … Continue reading Hope Muir Is More Than Ready for Her New Role at National Ballet of Canada

BalletMet’s Return to Live Performance Unlocks Some Killer Works and Performances [REVIEW]

BalletMetUnlockedProgram A – May 16, 2021Program B – May 8, 2021Columbus, OH Reviewed by Steve Sucato BalletMet made its long-awaited return to live performance with Unlocked at the company’s Performance Space located adjacent to their main studio facility in Columbus. In May, the company launched performances of Unlocked’s two hourlong and varied repertory programs for select audiences made up of financial donors and season ticket … Continue reading BalletMet’s Return to Live Performance Unlocks Some Killer Works and Performances [REVIEW]

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Distinction and Delight [REVIEW]

Pittsburgh Ballet TheatreOpen Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing ArtsPrograms A and BMay 21 and 22, 2021 Flagstaff Hill at Schenley ParkPittsburgh, PA Steve Sucato As the hosts of the much-anticipated “Open Air: A Series in Celebration of the Performing Arts,” Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) gave audiences a heaping helping of the kind of repertory new artistic director Susan Jaffe will be bringing to … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Distinction and Delight [REVIEW]

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Unveils Its 2021-2022 Season

By Katie Drozynski PITTSBURGH, PA (May 6, 2021) – After more than a year since the curtain came down abruptly on Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s (PBT) 50th Anniversary Season, PBT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe is proud to announce a 2021-2022 Season that brings ballet back to the Benedum Center and August Wilson African American Cultural Center. PBT’s triumphant return to the theater ignites innovative voices, revisits beloved … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Unveils Its 2021-2022 Season

Apocalyptic Winter of Discontent

Louisville Ballet – The Rite of SpringStreaming Digital PerformanceApril 22 – May 31, 2021 Reviewed by Steve Sucato A frozen post-apocalyptic world where a seeded band of humans battle a viral plague to survive. That’s the plot of Louisville Ballet resident choreographer Andrea Schermoly’s re-interpretation of Vaslav Nijinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring. Part of Louisville Ballet’s all-digital 2020-21 Season of Illumination, the ballet art … Continue reading Apocalyptic Winter of Discontent