“There is nothing…and I mean nothing… like classical ballet that is done right, and Ohio Dance Theatre does it right.”
Mark Horning, The Examiner
O DT OHIODANCETHEATRE Northeast Ohio’s Professional Ballet Company
Denise Gula, Artistic Director
Ohio Dance Theatre Denise Gula, Artistic Director Megan Cain, Executive Director 39 South Main Street Oberlin, OH 44074 440-774-6077 www.ohidancetheatre.org
Kelly Ferjutz, Cool Cleveland
elegant David Rosenberg, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Disciplined technique and stylistic unity
Wilma Salisbury, Cleveland Plain Dealer
ABOUT ODT
entirely enchanting
DENISE GULA ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DENISE GULA, the principal choreographer of Ohio Dance Theatre, also serves as Director of the Dancer’s Studio of Oberlin, Ohio Dance Theatre’s Professional companies official school. She has over 35 years experience, teaching in colleges, universities and dance schools throughout the U.S. From 1987 to 1992, prior to founding ODT, she served as Director of Dance at Lorain County Community College taught Ballet as Adjunct Faculty member at Oberlin College and Dean College.
Since founding the company she has created over 45 works for the ensemble and her work her choreography has been described as wonderfully evocative original, clever and very athletic. (Cool Cleveland)
Much of Ms. Gula’s work and choreography has a theatrical flair due to her extensive early training that encompassed all forms of dance, musical theatre, acting, directing and performing in professional and community theatre company productions including Karamu Theatre, Kennebunkport Summer Theatre and Kenley Players and contemporary and ballet companies including Louisville Ballet among others. This background has helped her to create uniquely original and sometimes stunning works that reflect the reflect the spirit and passion for life sometimes revealing both the strength and beauty of the human spirit as well as the dark side of our souls. Her numerous choreographic credits include ballets both and musical theatre choreography, for colleges, universities and Ohio Dance Theatre. Her academic studies were continued as time permitted, attending Oberlin College, Baldwin Wallace, Butler University in Indiana and Dean College in Boston. Her published texts include “Dance in Gymnastics, a Guide for Coaches and Gymnasts,” Allan and Bacon Publishers, and “Choreography for the Competitive Gymnast,” Human Kinetics Publishers. Ms. Gula is a certified Pilates instructor and conducts Teacher Training workshops and seminars.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Ohio Dance Theatre, northeast Ohio’s professional ballet company, engages audiences with its artistry through student matinee performances, pre‐performance talks, meet‐the artists events, post‐performance discussion and open rehearsals. The company strives to connect with the community by encouraging dialogue between the artists and audience through its performances, education and community outreach affirming the power of the arts and the passion of dance. The company’s principal artistic goal is to encourage the growth and support of serious dance through the presentation of exceptional performances, instruction, and educational programs that enhance the community's quality of life. Its mission is to inspire audiences through the passion of dance providing young people of diverse backgrounds and economic means, positive role models, instruction, educational opportunities and an introduction to the arts. The ODT repertory includes works featuring a range of styles from classical ballets to powerful, thought‐provoking contemporary works of athleticism and lyricism. A strong theatrical element is evident in all of its works and its ensemble of dancers is distinguished by their versatility, artistic expressiveness and unique style. Additionally, Ohio Dance Theatre’s unique repertory includes dance works such as “Silent Witness” and “Invictus” that reflect the spirit and passion for life sometimes revealing both the strength and beauty of the human spirit as well as the dark side of our souls.
ODT makes its home in the city of Oberlin located in Lorain County with a company comprised of highly talented artists and articulate teachers who can impact students of all levels, beginning to pre‐professional. The company’s master classes and training workshops meld process and performance for the next generation of artists educators and audiences. Ohio Dance Theatre is supported in part by The Nord Family Founda‐ tion; The Community Foundation of Lorain County; The Stocker Foun‐ dation; Nordson Corporation Foundation; Target and the Ohio Arts Council among other foundations corporations and individual donors committed to ODT’s artistry and programming.
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Ohio Dance Theatre is committed to working with presenters to engage the community in the art of dance. Workshops and residencies are intended to connect professional artist with students their classroom teachers and the community. ODTs professional staff helps students explore their creativity by engaging in movement activities that employ the elements of dance, space and time. Residencies are specifically designed for the host school and integrate education content standards.
ODT in the Community
Full Company Performances Student Matinee Performances Master Classes Lecture/Demonstrations School Residencies Professional Development Workshops for Teachers Community Programs: Community Centers, Schools, Museums, Churches, etc. Student and Teacher Study Guides Kids in Motion® Especially for Elementary School Children Our Kids in Motion program is based on the knowledge that the arts have a unique power to engage and motivate children and uses dance as a springboard to help children develop excellence, discipline and self‐confidence. Students and teachers are provided with the opportunity to learn how movement relates to subjects such as science, social studies, language arts, and math. Through improvisation and dance composition exercises, students create dances to explore and reinforce themes they are learning in other subjects. Integrated curriculum lessons are created in collaboration with classroom teachers, follow Content Standards, and can be tailored to the specific needs of each class.
Firebird Spindrift The Dream Silent Witness Come Rain or Come Shine Cinderella Nutcracker Jane and Cassandra Peter and the Wolf Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
REPERTOIRE
DRACULA
Firebird Choreography Denise Gula Music Igor Stravinsky Lighting Director Jeremy Benjamin
Choreography and Staging Music
Lighting Design Set Design Costume Design
Denise Gula Anthony DiLorenzo/Simon Leclerc John Pryce-Jones Gustav Mahler/Frank Wildharn Jeremy Benjamin Michael Grube Denise Gula
Spindrift Choreography Denise Gula Music Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Lighting Design Jeremy Benjamin Costumes Gilda Scapel
This work explores the beauty and power of the eastern coastline of the United States. The word “spindrift” means “windblown sea spray,” and references small twigs, seaweed and sea foam that swirls at the base of a rocky shoreline. The rage that emerges with startling speed from a calm that seemed as though it could never end; the sunlight bouncing off small white caps; sea gulls swooping down into the water, and the moss clinging to rocks as seaweed gently swirls at their base inspired the movement. The dancers movement seems to be digging deep and sifting through sand or scooping up water. Other times, they puncture the calm water or swirl overhead spiraling upwards from under the ocean’s depth.
The five women dressed in lithe, light-blue attire evoke the motion of wind and sea in a whirl of balletic activity that settle elegantly into the surging patterns. David Rosenberg, the Cleveland Plain Dealer
Sassy and saucy treat for the eyes and ears. In short, it was downright sexy. Mark Horning, the Examiner
The Dream Choreography Lisa Lock Music Electrocutango and Elecrotango Costume Design/Concept Lisa Lock
Silent Witness Choreography
Denise Gula
Music
Samuel Barber; Leonard Cohen Jan A. P. Kaczmare; John Lennon
; Videography
John Serb, Lakebreeze Video
Lighting Design Jeremy Benjamin Costumes
Denise Gula
 Silent Witness is a multi-media performance that attempts to express the emotions a victim experiences in an abusive relationship. The work shows how she fell in love and first became trapped, the deterioration of the relationship and the struggles she faces in her decision to stay or leave.
Come Rain or Come Shine Choreography Music Lightning Design Costume Design
Denise Gula Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer/ Susan Werner/ Pink Martini/ Arthur Herzog/ Gail Jarvis Jeremy Benjamin Denise Gula
Blues
Jazzy
Romance
Cinderella (Full Length Two ACT Ballet)
Choreography
Denise Gula Sergei Prokofiev
Music
Lightning Designer Jeremy Benjamin Costumes
Carmen Castle
There is only one word that can come close to describing the performance of“Cinderella” and that word is “Magically”. Mark Horning, The Examiner
Choreography and Staging Music Lighting Design Costume Design
Denise Gula Tchaikovsky Diana Nelson Diana Fries
Jane and Cassandra are Sisters Choreography Music
Marie Zvosec Edward Grieg: "Lyric Pieces" John Dowland: "White Moon Songs to Morpheus" “Weep You No More” Sad Fountains“ Germaine Tailleferre: "Love Is Come Again"
Lighting Design
Costume Design/Concept
Jeremy Benjamin
Marie Zvosec
The dance is inspired by Jane Austen and reflects the intimate relationship between her and her sister Cassandra. The use of 3 Jane’s and 3 Cassandra’s is used to suggest the complexity of their relationship.
Choreography
Nancy Brenstuhl
Music
Sergei Prokofiev Jeremy Benjamen
Costume Design
Diana Fries
K-6 grade
Lighting Design
Especially for Students
Peter and the Wolf
Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra Choreography Music Lighting Design Costume Design
Denise Gula Benjamin Britten Jeremy Benjamin Diana Fries
This musical composition originally written to introduce young children to the instruments of the orchestra. In the introduction, the theme is initially played by the entire orchestra, then by each major family of instruments of the orchestra: first the woodwinds, then the brass, then the strings, and finally by the percussion. After the whole orchestra has been effectively taken to pieces in this way, it is reassembled using an original fugue. In this piece the dancers movement reflects the tone, quality and feel of the instruments.
Quotes “There is nothing…and I mean nothing…like classical ballet that is done right, and Ohio Dance Theatre does it right.” Mark Horning, The Examiner “The evening’s performance was entirely enchanting. The dancers and the choreography was wonderfully evocative, original, clever and very athletic.” Kelly Ferjutz, Cool Cleveland “The ensemble immediately settled elegantly into the performance.” Donald Rosenberg,
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
“... company members light up the stage with energy, athleticism and high spirits. All work together with disciplined technique and stylistic unity.” Wilma Salisbury,
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
“what Ohio Dance Theatre presented on stage was first class, especially the dancing. Kelly Ferjutz,
Cool Cleveland