Warmest greetings from the entire Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Village:
Tonight, as we celebrate our 54th Anniversary Season, we welcome you with the deepest appreciation to “Celebrating the Bad Boys of Music!” - our 14th Annual “Dancing with the Denver Stars (DWTDS)!” Some of Denver’s most prominent business, civic and community leaders are performing in support of the Arts-in-Wellbeing pillar of our Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) programming. Bravo to these extraordinary Stars, whose generosity of time and resources have a profound effect throughout the Front Range!
This past season has been vital and vibrant as our various Ensembles and the CPRD Education and Wellness Teams provided performances, workshops, master classes and residencies to over 40,000 people in over 150 venues across the state, the nation and around the world. We held our 6th Annual Creative Academy and 30th Annual International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI), enabling students to advance their dance studies with exceptional master teachers from around the country. Our year-round Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy continues to thrive with over 800 students of all ages and levels of abilities receiving extraordinary training. Each of these programs (and their respective scholarships) continue to expand, largely sustained through the support of tonight’s Stars and all of you attending this evening - both in person in the ballroom and virtually from home.
We continue to define the role of dance and its relationship to health, wellness, and academic achievement through both participation and performance. With the on-going support of our community, corporate and civic partnerships, not only do we share the power, passion, and beauty of movement throughout the Front Range in teaching residencies, but we also enable hundreds of K-12 students to attend special performances of our major concerts and other special dance events created specifically for them. For many of these students, this is their first opportunity to experience the mental and physical healing energies of professional dance, live music, and spoken word, whether from a theatre seat, in a classroom, or a studio. Their enthusiastic appreciation of these opportunities is motivating, inspirational – and healing - to all of us, too, now, more than ever!
We extend our deepest thanks to our Event Co-Chairs, Morris Price, Jr. and Cody Teets, along with the members of our DWTDS Steering Committee (led by CPRD Board Chair, Gwen Brewer), as well as the CPRD Board of Directors and Advisory Board, President and CEO Malik Robinson, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Cleo II, Youth Ensemble, our staff, interns and volunteers – all working tirelessly on every detail of DWTDS to ensure both a memorable event and a successful outcome in meeting this year’s financial goals to sustain and expand CPRD’s health and wellness programming for the coming year. Special thanks as well to the incredible Hilton Denver City Center staff who have worked so closely with our Gala team.
We sincerely thank all of you for your continued advocacy and commitment. We look forward to advancing our goals of providing the most diverse and comprehensive cultural arts programming in the Western United States. Tonight’s Stars are performing with boundless excitement and glamour for this “Celebration of the Bad Boys of Music”! Let’s keep the wonder alive, recognizing our creative selves and nurturing that spirit in others so that everyone, young and old, of every culture and background, can truly step forward to a bright new day, filled with the energy of a healthy mind, body, and spirit sustained through opportunity, compassion, and love!
In the Spirit of Dance,
Good Evening, and welcome to the 14th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars!
Since 2010, civic and corporate leaders have come together for this special event to entertain and inspire families and friends through joyous routines that are sure to put a smile on your face. In many regards, this fundraiser has helped transform CPRD's work in community through significant funds raised and partnerships formed by the good graces of our Star Dancers and the brilliance of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. At the outset of this work, CPRD served an average of 40 schools per year, and in the 2023-2024 school year, CPRD served a record 90 unduplicated schools throughout the Denver metropolitan area - a direct result of the impact Dancing with the Denver Stars has on the organization!
In 2020, CPRD officially launched its fifth organizational pillar, Arts-in-Wellbeing, after years of growth and preparation. The emphasis under this new pillar is threefold, namely, workforce development, civic engagement and direct mental health services. The arts play an elemental role at the core of each focus area. With the support of tonight's event, we want to build on the impact of CPRD programs that support the whole health of communities we serve. For decades, CPRD has combined art and clinical psychology to improve the behavior of young people and as a society we are becoming more aware of the science supportive of healing power of art. When we consider the social determinants of health, we also know gainful employment is one of the most important factors that impact our quality of life. Just as we have successfully worked to provide a direct pathway for a quality education from cradle to college, we are leveraging years of investment in internships and apprenticeships to widen the horizon for young people to pursue fulfilling careers.
As CPRD continues to evolve as a cultural anchor institution, we are grateful for the ever-widening circle of support and partnership. We want to extend a heartfelt note of gratitude to our Event Co-Chairs, Cody Teets and Morris Price, who have not only brought resources but also phenomenal thought partnership to advancing the work ahead. We also extend a special thanks to the CPRD Ensemble, CPRD Board of Directors, Advisory Committee and administrative staff and volunteers who are not only working to increase the capacity and impact of programs but also managing a multi-million dollar capital campaign. On behalf of all of us, thank you to our corporate sponsors, contributors, supporters and friends for being a part of this wonderful evening
Malik Robinson
Gwen Brewer President & CEO Chair, CPRD Board
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Chair, Gala Steering
Welcome to the 14th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars, presented by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance! Tonight, we invite you to enjoy an evening of dazzling dance entertainment as Denver’s leading business, civic and community leaders step out of their comfort zones to perform choreographed routines alongside the professional dancers of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.
But this event is more than just a showcase of talent; it’s an opportunity to create a meaningful impact. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance reaches over 25,000 youth annually through innovative education programs. Their Arts-in-Education initiative provides in-school, after-school, and summer classes for pre-K through grade 12 students in underserved communities across Metro Denver. Additionally, their newest pillar, Arts-in-Wellbeing—developed in partnership with the Farley Health Policy Center—integrates evidence-based mental health practices into arts programming. Their Mental Health is Wealth program offers paid workforce development opportunities, blending mental health coursework with artistic therapies for students aged 14-25.
All funds raised in the paddle raise tonight will directly support the Arts-in-Wellbeing program (which includes Mental Health is Wealth), helping CPRD to both enhance and expand its reach to positively impact even more young lives.
A special thank you goes out to the Dancing with the Denver Stars Steering Committee, led by CPRD Board Chair Gwen Brewer, as well as the CPRD Board of Directors, Advisory Board, President and CEO Malik Robinson, and the entire Cleo Parker Robinson Dance team—Cleo II, the Youth Ensemble, and Junior Youth Ensemble. We also extend our appreciation to Rhetta Shead, Hillary Harding, and the dedicated CPRD staff for their hard work and commitment.
Sincerely,
Morris Price, Jr.
Cody Teets Vice President of Grants and Impact Principal
The
Colorado Trust C5 Consultare
2024 CORPORATE PARTNERS
Special thank you to our 2024 Chairs & Presenting Sponsors
Xcel Energy
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
DANCE OF FAITH SPONSORS
CBS Colorado CHFA
Colorado Health Foundation
City of Denver (Mayor's Office)
Colorado State University
Delta Dental
Denver Housing Authority
Denver Museum and Nature of Science
Farley Health Policy Center
IMA
Janus Henderson
Sims Fayola Foundation
Sistah Biz
State of Colorado
DANCE OF PASSION
Safeway
Southwest
Xcel Energy
DANCE OF GRACE
Alpine Bank
CoBank
Comcast
Empower
Mortenson Construction
US Bank
Vectra Bank
EVENT CHAIRS
Morris Price, Jr.
Cody Teets
DINNER COMMITTEE
Delta Eta Boule
Gwen and Moses Brewer
In Memory of Jim Wallace
Ivan Burwell
Jane and Skip Netzorg
Lisa Levin Appel
Olga González and Malik Robinson
Maude Lofton
Porter Billups
Zelda DeBoyes
GALA STEERING COMMITTEE
Gwen Brewer
Rhetta Shead
Cleo Parker Robinson
Hillary Harding
Trey Grimes
Larry Alexander
VIDEOGRAPHER
Lawrence Alexander
Reflections in Video Productions, Inc.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Jody Gilbert
KOLORGRAPHIX
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Breakthru Beverage for tonight’s wine
King Soopers for tonight’s floral centerpieces
SHED G
Master of Ceremony
Video from Denver Mayor Michael Johnston
CLEO PARKER ROBINSON
Mistress of Ceremony
CPRD Ensemble, Cleo II, Youth Ensemble, Junior Youth Ensemble
Student Ambassadors
Ezio Vergano Katie McCloskey
CODY TEETS
MORRIS PRICE, JR.
Event Co-Chairs
CPRD Video: Moving Forward
GRAND ENTRANCE
DENVER STAR DANCES, PART 1
Makisha Boothe and Devrae Jefferson
Robert Kenney and Samiyah Lannice
Dave Aguilera and Gabriela Maduro
Andrea Miller and Michael Battle
LaTonya Lacy and Lamar Rogers
THE CONSTELLATIONS:
Albus Brooks, Terrance Carroll, Elias Diggins, Bruce Johnson, Charles “CJ” Johnson, Huy Pham
Student Ambassadors
Ivy Oware
Jordan Caine
MALIK ROBINSON
President and CEO
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
GWEN BREWER
Chair, CPRD Board of Directors
Chair, DWTDS Steering Committee
Arts-in-Wellbeing Video
PADDLE RAISE
Reggie Rivers
The Gala Team
DENVER STAR DANCES, PART 2
Jocelyn Hittle and Corey Boatner
Brian Fitzpatrick and Caeli Blake
Michelle Barnes and Adrian Dominguez
Mahes Prasad and Lauren Slaughter
Samantha Unell and Melvin Sutton
Dedrick Sims and Jasmine Francisco
GRAND FINALE
Closing Remarks and Special Acknowledgements
This year’s Dancing with the Denver Stars supports Cleo Parker Robinson Dance’s newest pillar, Arts-in-Wellbeing. Complementing CPRD’s existing programs, Arts-inWellbeing harnesses the transformative power of the arts to foster expression and healing.
With benefits to wellbeing for people across the lifespan, community cohesion, and economic development, the arts spotlight and define culture in our communities. The Arts-in-Wellbeing pillar emphasizes the value of expanding access to the arts to address needs for community and personal health.
This new pillar integrates proven holistic approaches to address mental and physical health challenges across all of our offerings.
RATIONALE FOR DEVELOPMENT
Developed in direct response to community needs in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Arts-in-Wellbeing addresses health inequity by leveraging the holistic healing power of the arts to aspirational heights. During our work around the state with the Arts Alliance for Health Equity, communities all over Colorado expressed a common concern around youth mental health issues, particularly among marginalized communities.
ARTS-IN-WELLBEING PROGRAMMING
To address this need, Arts-in-Wellbeing , in tandem with Farley Health Policy Center, has developed programming to incorporate evidence-based mental health work into arts-focused programming.
s Paid Internship - Our Mental Health is Wealth internship program offers paid workforce development opportunities for students aged 14-25. This year’s cohort focused on students aged 14-18. It incorporates mental health coursework with artistic therapies to not only develop job skills but also provide students the tools and resources necessary to identify and address mental health concerns, both for themselves and their peers.
s The Momentum Tour - CPRD visits cities around the state, from Durango to Fort Collins, convening community organizers and artists around creating comprehensive solutions to local health equity issues.
s Arts Alliance for Health Equity - a statewide network created to bring together artists, community organizers, and civic leaders to discuss current needs and how art can support those needs (city-specific).
Through your support, CPRD will be able to bring Mental Health is Wealth to an expanded cadre of interns, connect to more communities around the state, and further utilize the power of the arts to heal and transform thousands of lives across Colorado.
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Cleo Parker Robinson Founder / Artistic Director / Producer / Director / Choreographer
Winifred R. Harris Associate Artistic Director Rhetta Shead VP of Theatre Operations / Production Director / Stage Manager
Cedric D. Hall Cleo II Rehearsal Director
Jessica Horton Youth Ensemble Director
Jasmine Francisco Ensemble Rehearsal Assistant / Children’s Ensemble Director
V ictoria Shead Stage Manager
Kayla Massey Assistant Stage Manager
Deborah Powell Costume Design
Michael Battle Wardrobe Supervisor
Gabriela Maduro Props Supervisor
Trey Grimes Technical Advisor
Conor Morford Technical Director
Anastazia Coney Camera Operator
Jody Gilbert Program Design
Mary Hart Program Editor
Opening Choreographers
Cleo Parker Robinson/Cedric Hall Grand Entrance / Finale
Jessica Horton Junior Youth Ensemble
V ictoria Shead Shed G Entrance / Youth Ensemble
Caeli Blake Cleo II
Corey Boatner Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
ADMINISTRATIVE and ARTISTIC STAFF
Cleo Parker Robinson Founder / Artistic Director
Malik Robinson President and CEO
Rhetta Shead V ice President of Theatre Operations
Hillary Harding V ice President of Development and Communications
Shelby Jarosz V ice President of Educational Programs
Tohbias Juniel Director of Advocacy and Engagement
Mary Hart Director of Booking and Touring
Isaac Tafoya Comptroller
Amelia Dietz-Rowe Marketing Manager
Micah Bursh Marketing Communications Specialist
Kollin Payne Grants Manager
V ictoria Shead Johnston Senior Academy Manager
Kylie Straub Academy Manager
Amandine Aubertot
Academy Academy Assistant
Michael Battle Academy Academy Assistant
Gabriela Maduro Academy Academy Assistant
Kayla Massey Academy Academy Assistant
Trey Grimes Technical Advisor
Conor Morford Technical Director
Anastazia Coney Senior Technician
Patricia Smith OnTarget Public Relations
ARTISTIC STAFF
Winifred R. Harris Associate Artistic Director
Cedric D. Hall Cleo II Rehearsal Director
Jessica Horton Youth Ensemble Director
Jasmine Francisco Junior Youth Ensemble Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gwen Brewer Chair
Cleo Parker Robinson Founder / Artistic Director
Malik Robinson E xecutive Director
Tyrone Gant Treasurer
Debbie Herrera V ice Chair
Shale Wong V ice Chair
Lisa Levin Appel / Toni Baruti / Christopher Cardenas / Darryl Collier / Tim Davis / Demesha Hill
Lisa Hogan / Eric Itambo / Kelli Kelly / Robert Thompson / J. Matt Thornton / Alfred Walker
EMERITUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Judge Raymond Dean Jones J.D.* Chairman Emeritus / Les Franklin / Helen Franzgrote / Marceline Freeman / Henry Lowenstein / Nancy McCloskey / Dawn Nakamura-Kessler / Edmond “Buddy” Noel * / Schyleen Qualls Brown * / Tom Robinson * / Lester Ward / Faye & Reggie Washington
*Founding Members of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
