DWTDS 2024 Program Book Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

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 President & CEO Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Gwen Brewer Chair, CPRD Board 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. Vice President of Grants and Impact The Colorado Trust

Cody Teets Principal 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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He now resides in dallas and is becoming one of the most requested for events In the Metroplex.

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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

Victoria 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

Victoria Shead

Shed G Entrance / Youth Ensemble

Caeli Blake Corey Boatner

Cleo II Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble

ADMINISTRATIVE and ARTISTIC STAFF Cleo Parker Robinson Founder / Artistic Director Malik Robinson President and CEO Rhetta Shead Vice President of Theatre Operations Hillary Harding Vice President of Development and Communications Shelby Jarosz Vice 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 Victoria 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 Executive Director Tyrone Gant Treasurer Debbie Herrera Vice Chair Shale Wong Vice 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