Robert Wesner
Artistic Director
Ballet @the Brickyard August 5, 2017 6 : 0 0 P M – 1 0: 00 P M The Brickyard @ Temple Court
Performance Season 2017- 18 S eason Sp on so r s and
Butterfly House
Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival - Free July 21 - 22, Hardesty Park, Akron, OH Oberlin Dance Festival - Free Oberlin Dance Intensive @ Oberlin College Ballet @ the Brickyard August 5, @ the Brickyard, Mansfield, OH Featuring local artists and creators of food, art, music, and more Creole Cinderella October @ the Civic Theatre, Presented by the Children’s Concert Society of Akron A 1940’s Nutcracker. 3 great locations: December 3, Findlay, OH at the Marathon Performing Arts Center December 9 -10, Mansfield, OH at the Renaissance Theatre December 15, 16 & 17 Elyria, OH at Stocker Center for the Arts First Night Akron - December 31, Akron OH Winston Salem Symphony Orchestra - December 31 Winston Salem, North Carolina Petrushka, by Stravinsky - Akron Symphony Orchestra February 9, E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron OH FIrelands Symphony Orchestra February 25, tentative Firelands Symphony Orchestra March 10, Sandusky OH Neos in Ashland with Sylvia McNair March 17, Ashland, OH, Archer Auditorium Chance to Dance, Pointe of the Evening March 24, Findlay OH, Marathon Performing Arts Center Carmina Burana - Canton Symphony Orchestra April 21, Zimmermann Symphony Center Carrollton GA. Tour - Info TBA dance.r.evolution TBD - World Premiere of Mary-Elizabeth Fenn’s project including guest-urban artists. Funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Akron Art Challenge Boots and Ballet, A Night at the Races May 7, Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Mansfield, OH
online @ neosdancetheatre.org
Thank you to our Ballet @the Brickyard Event Sponsor
108 North Main St., Rear Building Mansfield, OH 44902 P: (419) 522-4333 F: (419) 522-3303
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419.289.5052 | enrollme@ashland.edu | www.ashland.edu
A BIG THANK YOU to the Richland County Foundation for supporting our
181 South Main Street Mansfield, OH 44902 P: (419)525-3020 F: (419)525-1590 For good. For ever.® richlandcountyfoundation.org
N e o s D a n c e T h e at r e Company Artistic Director, Robert Wesner Co-Founder, Brooke Wesner Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Stage Manager, Christopher J. K. Ha Special Effects, Andy Gardner Resident Choreographer, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Graphic Design and Marketing volunteer, Kathy Hilton Dancers: Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Juliana Freude, Brianna Habel, Kassandra Lee, Ethan Michael Lee, Brian Murphy, Kaleb Reilly, Matthew Roberts, Carson Sandiford-Hoxie, Katherine Tackett, Anna Trumbo, Robert Wesner, Brooke Wesner Apprentices: Rebekah Grey, Trainee: Alexandria (Ali) LeBay, Summer Dance Intern: Jacob Shoup
Board of Directors: Edward Reading, Cyndee Snider, Kara Stewart, Shauna Conzaman, Jody Thomae, Laurie Fike, Daniel Budke, Brooke Wesner, Robert Wesner, Neil Sapienza, Judith Shoaff-Reading Advisory Board: Glenn Edgerton, Sylvia McNair, Cynthia Newland, Jane Startzman, Michael Uthoff
Ballet @ the Brickyard VIP tent: Participants: Brady Jacquin Singer; Altered Eats, Caterer; Cypress Hill And Phoenix Brewery - Local Beverages, Event partners: Kimmel Cleaner, Prestige Rental, Floral Garden
M i s s i o n S tat e m e n t Neos Dance Theatre’s mission is to advance dance related education by student training, intensive summer study, and master classes; raise awareness of the dance arts; culturally enrich Northern Ohio through performance of high quality dance by obtaining and presenting the widest range of repertoire possible.
N e o s D a n c e T h e at r e Special Thanks to: Diana Hostettler, Chris and Laurie Fike, Richard and Helen Wesner, Mike and Natalie Goshinski, Jody and Dale Thomae, Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Kathy Hilton, Summit Therapy and Performance Center, Drs. Heringhaus General Dentistry, Lydy Chiropractic, Cypress Hill Winery, Engwiller Properties, Brian Gladden, Raemelton Therapeutic and Equestrian Center, Judith and Loyal Bemiller, Jeanie and Bruce Haapalainen, Liberty Wells Combs, Tara Corrigan, Sarah Horrigan-Ramos and Marden Ramos, Richland Academy of the Arts Dance Department, Lori Thompson, The fabulous Neos Dance Theatre Board of Directors, Rick Kleschinski, Jane Startzman, Akron’s Civic Theatre, Renaissance Theatre, The Mansfield Memorial Museum, Sylvia McNair and Kevin Cole, Cody Nicolas, Kelly Knowlton, Athens Greek Restaurant, Lynd Media, Neil Sapienza, Dale Dong, Bryce Millikin, Kara Stewart, Richland Source and Jay Allred, For company Ballet Class: Juliana Freude, Brian Murphy, Kara Stewart, Shawna Conzaman, Christina Foisie, Brooke and Bobby Wesner Neos Dance Theatre is a professional dance company, receiving ongoing support and partnerships with Richland Source, The Butterfly House, Cleveland Financial Group, Mechanics Bank, Richland County Foundation, The Nord Family Foundation, Knight Foundation, University of Akron, Oberlin College and The Ohio Arts Council.
Kimmel Cleaner
Prestige Rental
Floral Garden
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Event partners:
Kimmel Cleaner, Prestige Rental, Floral Garden Featured artists in the Brickyard are: VIP: singer - Brady Jacquin Crossroads artists - Art Haring,Nicholas Kelley, Sonnet Hogue Artist Booths: 1. Element of Art artists 2. Ivan Pellot 3. Rani Piar 4. Jen Donley Main Stage vocalist: Kyler Morrison Guest artists: Richland Academy dancers PROGRAM ORDER Opening Act: Richland Academy dancers: Reflexions - Choreographer: Marden Ramos Music: A Singleman sountrack by Abel Korzeniowski Dancers: Kylee Dettmer, Gabriella Morando, Meiyan Timberlake, Chloe Walker
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Neos Dance Theatre Delicious Play - Choreographer, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Music, “The Transmutation of Species Part 4” – Talbot + Deru; “My Rollercoaster” - Kimya Dawson; “Cirrus” - Bonobo Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Costumes, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Dancers: Brian Murphy, Brooke Wesner, Matthew Roberts, Juliana Freude, Katherine Tackett, Kassandra Lee, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Ethan Michael Lee Premiered at the Akron Art Museum. Created in response to visual artists featured in the exhibit Intersections, Artists Master Line and Space, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Richland Academy dancers Italian Nights - Choreographer: Marden Ramos Music: Ennio Morricone Movement 1 Dancers: Kylee Dettmer, Gabriella Morando, Delaney O’Brien, Laila Ramos, Meiyan Timberlake, Madeleine Weilbacker Movement 2 Dancer: Laila Ramos Movement 3 Dancers: McKenzie Davis, Alexia Gerber, Rhapsody Howell, Olivia Kouns Neos Dance Theatre Good Night, Day - Choreography, Joseph Morrissey Music, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Orphée Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Costume Designer, Inda Blanch-Geib Dancers, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Brian Murphy, Matthew Roberts, Brooke Wesner Stage Sponsor
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Richland Academy dancers Women Behind the Window (excerpt) - Choreographer: Marden Ramos Music: Astor Piazolla Dancers: Jenah Calderhead, Kylee Dettmer, Gabriella Morando, Meiyan Timberlake, Chloe Walker, Madeleine Weilbacker Neos Dance Theatre Leviathan - Choreographer, Alice Klock Music, *Various Artists Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Costume Designer, Jenni Schwaner Lade Dancers: Company: Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Juliana Freude, Brianna Habel, Kassandra Lee, Ethan Michael Lee, Brian Murphy, Kaleb Reilly, Matthew Roberts, Carson Sandiford, Katherine Tackett, Anna Trumbo, Brooke Wesner Apprentice, Rebekah Gray Trainee, Ali Lebay Summer Dance Intern, Jacob Shoup *Music in order of appearance: “The Middle of the World” - Nicholas Britell - Moonlight Soundtrack; “A meaningful moment through a meaning(less) process” - Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of the decline; “Bowhead” - Loess – Pocosin; “Nocturne en mi bémol majeur opus 9 n°2: Ballade en Sol; Mineur No.1” - Frédéric Chopin - Luis Fernando Perez; “00:26” - Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm; “Them” Nils Frahm This work is funded in part by the generous support of The University of Akron’s School of Dance, Theatre and Arts Administration and the Dance Institute. A group of dance majors will also perform Leviathan in the University of Akron’s Fall Dance Concert (UADC) on campus. Anything Goes! - Choreographer, Robert Wesner Music, Cole Porter Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Costume Design, TBD Dancers, Matthew Roberts and Robert Wesner w/ Brooke Wesner
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Richland Academy dancers Going-Going-Gone - Choreographer: Marden Ramos Music: Ra by Nathan Lanier Dancers: Jenah Calderheard, Kylee Dettmer, Gabriella Morando, Meiyan Timberlake, Chloe Walker, Madeleine Weilbacker Neos Dance Theatre Romanian Rhapsody - Choreographer, Robert Wesner Music, George Enescu Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Costume Designer, TBD Dancers: Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Juliana Freude, Brianna Habel, Kassandra Lee, Brian Murphy, Kaleb Reilly, Matthew Roberts, Carson Sandiford, Katherine Tackett, Anna Trumbo, Brooke Wesner
About Neos Company History Winner of two Knight Art Challenges and now headquartered in Akron, Neos Dance Theatre is a must-see star of our region’s arts scene. The 2017-18 season is bringing exciting new offerings to Akron and throughout northern Ohio. In Oberlin, with support from the Nord Family Foundation, the Neos Center for Dance is launching after Labor Day with an array of dance classes for children and adults. In Mansfield, Findlay, and Elyria (new this year), Neos is presenting its beloved A 1940s Nutcracker — unlike any Nutcracker you’ve ever seen! Neos is looking forward to another year of fabulous collaborations with the Akron Symphony Orchestra and The University of Akron’s Dance Institute (Petrushka), Canton Symphony Orchestra (Carmina Burana), Children’s Concert Society (Creole Cinderella at the Akron Civic Theatre), and much more. Details at www.neosdancetheatre.org. Energized by classical and contemporary choreography, Neos has showcased works by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, Heinz Poll, George Balanchine, and Penny Saunders. Neos director and Co-Founder Bobby Wesner has choreographed four evening-length ballets for Neos Dance Theatre and produced an additional ballet by resident choreographer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn. Sought-after as a performer and partner, Neos has collaborated with the Akron Art Museum (November 2016), Akron Symphony
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240 Park Ave. West, Mansfield, OH 44903 Office: 419-524-5050 • Fax: 419-524-5062 • seckelgroup.com
About Neos Company History con’t
(March 2017), City of Akron’s Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, Akron Civic Theatre, Ashland’s Guy C. Meyers Bandshell, Ashland Regional Ballet, Ashland Symphony, Ashland University, Belhaven University in Mississippi, Cain Park, Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Dance Institute and Dance Program at The University of Akron, Dancing Wheels, Downtown Akron Partnership, Findlay Academy of Ballet, Lakeside Chautauqua, Mansfield Symphony, Oberlin College, The Ohio State University, Verb Ballets, and many more. And, reaching beyond Northeast Ohio, Neos has toured to 10 states, including Georgia where it performed along the coast. Neos has gained a reputation for artistic excellence, adventurous programming, and passionate community collaborations.
C o m pa n y B i o g r a p h i e s Bobby Wesner, Artistic Director, Bobby began his career as a professional dancer with Ballet Arizona, under the direction of Michael Uthoff (now Ib Anderson). During his stay in Phoenix, he had the honor of working with American Classics such as Fredrick Franklin, Daniel Ezralow, Moses Pendelton of Momix, the Artistic Directors of Pilobolus, Kevin O’Day, Jowali Willa Jo Zolar of Urban Bush Woman, and his wife Brooke Wesner. Other great masterpieces that Wesner has performed are the “Profiteer” in The Green Table by Kurt Josse; “Iago” in The Moore’s Pavone by Jose Limon; “Tico” in Company B by Paul Taylor, (also in Taylor’s Esplanade); three works of Anthony Tudor: Lilac Garden, Leaves are Fading and Continuo; and The Jester in Earnst Uthoff’s Carmina Burana. Independently, Wesner has traveled and performed with various companies all over the northeast region of the US and in Italy. As Director and Co-Founder Bobby has choreographed four evening length ballets for Neos Dance Theatre and produced an additional ballet by resident choreographer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn. Neos also performs many of Wesner’s repertory works including Spinning Plates, Various Principals, Norm and Cleo, and more. Bobby and Brooke live in Ashland, Ohio where they raise their four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah, and Arowyn. Brooke Wesner, Co-Founder, started dance at age five under Hellie Schussler for her pre-professional training. Her presence on stage has been said to offer “lyrical melodrama” and “a most prominent... elegance”(The Arizona Republic and the Arizona Daily Star). After studying with master teachers such as Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, and Basil Thompson, Brooke started her professional career with the Milwaukee Ballet. With Ballet Arizona she performed the “Snow Queen” and “Arabian” in Ib Anderson’s Nutcracker, “Dark Angel” in Balanchine’s Serenade, Paul Taylor’s Company B; and “Desdemona” in Jose Limon’s The Moore’s Pavon. Brooke also performed as a soloist in Giselle; the Greentable by Kurt Josse; Lady Lost Found by Danny Ezralow; the original “Bird” in Moses Pendelton’s Opus Cactus; HELLBLONDEGROOVE by Kevin O’Day; a “Saloon Girl” in Billy the Kid (while six months pregnant); and Apollo, The Four Temperaments, Agon, Rubies, and Serenade by George Balanchine. She performed with Momix in an international tour where she danced for the President of Italy and shared the stage with James Taylor. Brooke has appeared many times with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra as a guest artist and with the Arizona Opera in Aida. Her performance quality and technical stamina has intensified now that she is a mother of four. Brooke is the co-founder of Neos Dance Theatre with her husband, Bobby, and they are the parents of four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah, and Arowyn. Mary- Elizabeth Fenn, Resident Choreographer, a Wisconsin native trained at Milwaukee Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School-NYC, BalletMet, and Point Park University. She has also attended summer programs at Dance New Amsterdam, Juilliard, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and recently attended Northwest Dance Project’s LAUNCH intensive. She was a featured soloist in the DVD live performance of “Unwigged and Unplugged” with Spinal Tap. Mary-Elizabeth has been teaching and choreographing for various studios in Wisconsin for the past five years. She graduated in December 2010 with honors and a BFA in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She also had the privilege to perform in works by Luc Vanier, Alwin Nikolais, Simone Ferro, Suniti Dernovsek, Janet Lilly, Garth Fagan, and Ed Burgess. Mary-Elizabeth has choreographed the full length Creole Cinderella and the repertoire piece Hello Mother for Neos Dance Theatre. Brianna Habel began her training at Nan Klinger’s Excellence in Dance Studio dancing with the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, now known as Ballet Excel Ohio. Following summer studies at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and American Ballet Theater in New York City, Brianna earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. While earning her BFA, Brianna performed principle roles in Walpurgisnacht and Raymonda. During her senior year she joined Cincinnati Ballet as a trainee where she danced for two seasons. She went on to spend two seasons with Nashville Ballet, and a season at Nevada Ballet Theater. Highlights included a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil and two Balanchine performances, Serenade and Who Cares. Brianna is excited to be continuing her career with Neos Dance Theater. When not dancing, Brianna is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
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Juliana Freude is a native of Akron, Ohio and trained for twelve years at The University of Akron Dance Institute where she performed as the soloist in The Snow Maiden and received the Gena Carroll Scholarship. Juliana has appeared with The University of Akron Repertory Dance Company in many roles including a soloist in Onda 9 by Ana Lobe, and Letting Go by Travis Gallin. Juliana performed with Nashville Ballet as a trainee in the Nutcracker and was also an apprentice with the Charleston Ballet Theatre. While dancing with the Charleston Ballet she has performed original works such as Rite of Spring, Sleeping Beauty, and Great Gatsby choreographed by Jill Eathorne Bahr. She has worked with Ohio Dance Theatre performing in ballets such as Swan Lake, Fairy Forest, and has danced with Dancing Wheels performing the leading role of Helen Keller, A Tribute to her Teacher choreographed by Christopher Fleming, and Alice in Wonderland by Bobby Wesner. Ethan Michael Lee is an Ohio native from North Canton and started his training at Canton Ballet under the artistic direction of Cassandra Crowley at the age of 12. He has also trained at schools such as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Chautauqua, and Joffrey Ballet to name a few. Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival 2013 was Ethan’s first performance with Neos Dance Theatre making this his fifth year with the company. He has performed roles in Bobby Wesner’s original Snow White and the Magic Mirror: A Grimm Tale, Count: the Legend of Dracula, A 1940’s Nutcracker and an array of his other contemporary works. Penny Saunders, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Joseph Morrissey, Stephanie Martinez, and others have also featured Ethan in their works. Currently Ethan is the Artistic Director of A Time to Dance Junior Company, and over the years has choreographed numerous pieces including four ballets. When not performing with Neos or choreographing, Ethan also guests throughout North East Ohio to perform with local ballet schools, such as Ballet Theatre of Ohio, Canton Ballet, Great Lakes Youth Ballet, and many others. Kassandra Lee began her training at SODT under the instruction of Nancy Brenstuhl and Denise Gula. Kassandra spent many years as a pre-profeesional dancing alongside Ohio Dance Theatre in annual productions of the Nutcracker. She also performed in many story ballet’s including Snow White and Peter & the Wolf. Kassandra took her studies to New York City to the Joffery Jazz and Contemporary summer intensive. Since joining Neos Dance Theatre Kassandra has performed in Count…the Legend of Dracula, A 1940’s Nutcracker, and Illustrious Disillusion choreographed by Robert Wesner; works by resident choreographer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn are Nothing In Particular and Nowhere; and guest choreographers work Flight by Penny Saunders. Brian Murphy, dancer and choreographer, has been dancing professionally for 25 years with companies such as Nashville Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Richmond Ballet, BalletMet, New Orleans Delta Ensemble, Verb Ballets, GroundWorks Dance Theatre, and Ohio Ballet. As a guest Brian has appeared in Neos Dance Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet as Mercutio, as well as various tours to Portland, Maine and Winston-Salem North Carolina. This is his second season with Neos Dance Theatre and he is excited to perform a diverse range of classical and contemporary work and teach company classes. Brian will utilize the dancers of Neos Dance Theatre for upcoming independent educational programs and public performances. He and his wife Suzy Rauh Murphy operate Pilates by Murphys in Akron with many faithful clients. Kaleb Reilly started dancing at age 14 in Milford, MI, before moving to Jackson, MS, to continue his dance studies at Belhaven University. At Belhaven, Reilly received extensive training and performed choreography by Caleb Mitchell (Houston Ballet), Ravenna Tucker Wagnon (Royal Ballet), Stephen Rooks (Martha Graham Company), Durell Comedy (José Limón Company, Mark Morris Dance Group), and Vincent
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Hardy (Complexions Contemporary Ballet), among others. Reilly toured to South Korea twice as a part of the Bal Malhada dance ensemble (2014-2015) to perform in outreach and performance venues across the country. In Korea, Bal Malhada had the privilege of premiering two works by Sung Yong Kim. In 2015, Reilly made his debut with Neos Dance Theatre during their summer concert series in northeast Ohio, after which he returned to Belhaven to complete his BFA in dance performance, graduating magna cum laude in 2016. Since then, Reilly was a part of Launch: 11 with Northwest Dance Project in Portland, OR, performed as a company artist with Vivid Ballet (Hartford, CT) for the company’s inaugural season, and has now returned to Ohio for his first full season with Neos Dance Theatre. Matthew Roberts is an Ohioan who, at the age of 10, discovered he was bilingual and his real native language was dance. After studying at the Dance Institute and University of Akron, he moved to New York looking to become more fluent and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2013 with a BFA in Dance and concentration in Choreography. There he performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Robert Battle, Jessica Lang, Shen Wei and after graduating performed with Lustig Dance Theatre, Oakland Ballet Company, and Awakening Movement. He loves creating dances of his own to share with others and hopes to have a company of his own one day. After returning from New York he started working with Neos Dance Theatre and has been utilizing his skills as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Carson Sandiford-Hoxie started dancing at the age of 13 at Monona Academy of Dance in Wisconsin. Soon after he attended Nutmeg Conservatory, where he graduated after attending for two years. After attending the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre Carson studied at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School. To start his professional career Carson returned to New York as a member of the Joffrey Ballet’s Concert Group. He performed works by Gerald Arpino’s such as “Suite Saint Saens”, “Birthday Variations”, and “Light Rain”, with additional works by Dwight Rhoden (“And So It Was”), and George Balanchine’s Valse Fantasie. Carson travelled with these works around the United States, Canada, and Italy. He most recently performed in various repertoire and “A Midsummer Nights Dream” as a resident guest artist for the Cleveland Ballet. Katherine Tackett is from Akron, Ohio where she trained at the Dance Institute with the University of Akron for 12 years. While at Dance Institute, Katherine trained under Christina Foise, Ana Lobe, Kay Eichman, Andrew Carroll and MaryAnn Black. She had the opportunity to perform in the Snow Maiden for many years, at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival and with the University of Akron Dance Company. After high school Katherine continued her training at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music under Jiang Qi, Michael Tevlin, and Deirdre Carberry. She spent summers training at the School of American Ballet, Dance Institute and the Cincinnati Ballet. While at a summer intensive at the Cincinnati Ballet, Katherine was asked to join the company as a trainee. She stayed for a year and had the opportunity to perform in their Nutcracker and various performances with the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company. This is Katherine’s second season with Neos. Anna Trumbo originally from Seattle, Washington, trained at Cornish Preparatory Dance and with Stephanie Saland before continuing her training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Her most noted performance while at Joffrey was as “Cowgirl” in Agnes De Mille’s “Rodeo,” of which The New York Times referenced her performance saying, it was “danced with verve, with [Anna] as an appealingly wistful Cowgirl...” Other performances during her study in New York included Septime Weber’s “D-Construction,” Kathryn Posin’s “San Cubano” and “Piano Concerto,” and Gerald Arpino’s “Viva Vivaldi,” and the pas de trois from “Italian Suite.” After receiving her BFA from the New School University, Anna moved to San Francisco to dance with the Oakland Ballet. During her time at Oakland Ballet she performed Ron Guidi’s “Nutcracker,” Robert Garland’s “Joplin Dances, “ Carlos Carvajal’s “Crystal Slipper,” and Michael Lowe’s
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“Double Happiness.” Since joining Neos Dane Theatre in 2011 she has performed pieces by director Bobby Wesner including, “Spinning Plates”, “Homage”, “Searching for the Find”, “Karelia Suite”, and Appalachian Spring, as well as “A 1940’s Nutcracker” and “Count…the Legend of Dracula”, roles Heinz Poll’s “Eight by Benny Goodman”, and in “Flight”, by Penny Saunders. During the centennial year if Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring”, Anna performed as a guest with GroundWorks Dance Theater in the premier of David Shimotakahara’s Rite of Spring with the Akron Symphonmy Orchestra. Apprentice: Rebekah Gray began training with Ihde Rather Be Dancing and then in high school she continued her training with the University of Akron Dance Institute. While at the Dance Institute, Rebekah performed as the lead soloist in the 2015 performance of The Snow Maiden. During her four years with the Institute, Rebekah trained under Christina Foisie, Kara Stewart, Kay Eichman, and Frank Kosik. Along with her training at the Dance Institute, Rebekah attended the dance program at Firestone High School under the direction of Kelly Berick. Upon high school graduation, Rebekah stayed in her home town to pursue a BA in Dance with a minor in Business from the University of Akron. Rebekah has also had the privilege of performing works by choreographers such as Robert Wesner, Stephanie Martinez, Penny Saunders, Hernando Cortez, Joseph Morrissey, and David Shimotakahara. Rebekah has performed with Neos Dance Theatre throughout her tenure at The University of Akron. Trainee: Alexandria (Ali) LeBay began dancing at a young age with Jete Dance Center, and then Christine Jones Meneer School of Dance. She became a company member with Ballet Theatre of Ohio in 2009 and was promoted to the professional division in 2011. She has performed with the company in numerous ballets such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, and Sleeping Beauty. She graduated from Western Reserve Academy in 2013, and has since returned numerous times to set works on the high school dance students there. She has recently returned from a semester abroad in London where she had the opportunity to dance extensively with studios throughout Europe, as well as perform with CoDa Dance Company and Third Row Dance Company in London. Ali is currently a senior at The University of Akron studying English Language Arts Education and Dance. Summer Dance Intern: Jacob Shoup
Catch Neos Dance Theatre’s A 1940’s Nutcracker @ the Renaissance Theatre on December 9th and 10th Mind Body Align 20 N Mulberry St Mansfield, OH 44902 (419) 565-4101
Friends of Neos Thank you to our Friends of Neos Dance Theatre members for the 2016-17 season! Our current 2017-18 ‘Friends’ campaign is underway! A full listing of our newest members will be online and in subsequent programs. Thank you for your support! Founders’ Support: Andy Gardner, Mike and Natalie Goschinski, Bobby and Brooke Wesner, William and Katherine Kreager, John and Katherine Fernyak, Richard and Arline Landers Foundation, Sonny and Jennifer Bowser, Heidi and Daniel Budke Artistic Director’s Circle: Pryor Foundation, Rand and Mary Smith, Dale and Jody Thomae Choreographer’s Circle: Belinda Bogner and Mark Kroger, Ed and Judy Reading, Cyndee and Larry Snider, Judy and Loyal Bemiller, Rick and Carol Taylor, Fred and Lori Thompson, Peter Savoy and Elizabeth Hecht Designer’s Circle: Francine and Benson Pilloff, William and Shelley Vidmar, Janet Wisner, Willis and Patrecia Waldron, Joseph and Elizabeth Bocka, Timothy and Cindy Adams, Heidi and Brian Zimmerman, Sandy and Tom Brown, Mark and Sandy Arnold, John Siegenthaler, Janet Wisner, Olive Miller, Steven Cummins, Jonathan and Linda Chambers, Robert and Janet Archer, Tom and Theresa Heringhaus, Richard Brokopp Dancer’s Scene: Michael and Carol Chambers, Jonathan and Erin Fain, W.F. Fox Jr., Amy Heringhaus, Carol Kautz, Olive Miller, William Newdome Jr., Christine Niese, Elizabeth Pastor, David and Lori Rinehart, Richard and Christina Lee, Jane Startzman, Deborah Colace, Richard and Salli Rohm, Laurie and Chris Fike, Shauna and Steve Conzaman, Barry Friedman, Daniel and Louis Galat, Neil Sapienza, Audience Member: Harold and Lucy Amsbaugh, Paul R. McCaudy, Melinda Heineking, John and Terry Heringhaus, Mindy Duncan, Nusha Martynuk and Carter McAdams, John Wilde, Susie Fulton, Mary Bolin, James and Elisabeth Morando, Kristin Young, Kent and Barbara Edmonds, Gayle Martin, Becky’s School of Dance, Mary and Walt Yoder, William and Cheryl Callis, Charles and Lisa Clark, Kathleen Graff, Allen Sanford, E. Jean Quinn and Mary Quinn-Herring, Sam and Jean Kaufman, Malinda Heineking, Mary Ann Calhoun, James and Joyce Curry Friends: Billy Brandon, Lowell and Janice Smith, Domenico and Diane Lazzerini, Angela Goldbach, Richard and Susan Schuller, Julie Fisher Leonard
Neos Dance Theatre is a 501-C-3 non-profit. With your support, Neos is able to bring a steady creation of new choreography, wide range of repertoire, and passion for community involvement. Consider donating to our Friends Campaign with convenient online links
Take more chances, DANCE MORE DANCES For all of your sports medicine, rehabilitation and therapy needs, call 419-207-BONE (2663) or visit UHSamaritan.org.
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