Contemporary Creations Program

VERB BALLETS

CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS

MAY 14 7:00PM

ONLINE 48 HOUR

ENCORE STREAMING

Photo: Kolman Rosenberg

1987

2021

“classical ballet with a dash of American modern dance” - International Dance Critic

For over 30 years Verb Ballets has presented performances that have moved audiences and critics alike. verbballets.org

Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Artistic Director Verb Ballets Dancers Emily Dietz, Kelly Korfhage, Lieneke Matte, Antonio Morillo, Benjamin Shepard, Kate Webb Guest Dancer: Robert Carter International Cultural Exchange Artist: Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni Apprentices: Hunter Hoffman, Noe Iwamatsu, Julie Russel Trainees: Emani Drake, Ashley Forché, Elizabeth Schaeffer Jr. Trainee: Somiya Schirokauer Director of Marketing & PR Jennifer Garlando

Front photo: Kolman Rosenberg

Lighting Design Adam Ditzel

Director Verb Ballets Center for Dance Richard Dickinson, MFA

Video Wasted Talent Media

Coordinator, Dance For Everyone & Youth Programs Christina Lindhout

Photography Kolman Rosenberg

Education & Outreach Desmond Davis

Company Manager Nakiasha Moore-Dunson Technical Director & Stage Manager Lindsay Carter Finance Michelle Gregorczyk

Board of Directors President: Robert M. Shwab, CEBS Vice President: James F. Koehler Secretary: Frederick Lautzenheiser Treasurer: Mary Anne Garvey

Past Presidents David M. Dusek James P. Farley Jeri E. Chaikin Ann Ennis

Dr. Margaret Carlson Laura Cleveland Mario Clopton-Zymler Antwon Duncan-Milczewski David M. Dusek Ann Ennis James P. Farley James D. Graham Leslie Kaufman Debra Light Deborah L. Neale Richard Rinehart Jr. Charles Sheehe Hema Steele Anna Soskic

Advisory Board David & Carola Bamberger Deborah Coleman Robert Cutler Ann Elder Deborah Glosserman Carol Griffith Linda Thomas Jones Maressa A. Kuszewski Craig Miller David Pierce Alan Miles Ruben Jeanne Shatten Donna Rae Smith Karin Stone

Photo: Kolman Rosenberg

Verb Ballets Contemporary Creations May 14, 2021 7:00pm ET World of Another (2021)

Choreography: Stephanie Martinez Assistant to the Choreographer: Kelsey McFalls Music: Vivaldi, All Skate, Sheep Balls Lighting Design: Adam Ditzel Costumes: Janet Bolick Robert Carter (Guest dancer), Emily Dietz, Emani Drake, Ashley Forché, Hunter Hoffman, Noe Iwamatsu, Kelly Korfhage, Lieneke Matte, Antonio Morillo, Julie Russel, Elizabeth Schaeffer, Benjamin Shepard, Kate Webb, Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni (International Cultural Exchange Artist)

Love is… (2010)

Choreography: Christopher L. Huggins Assistant to the Choreographer: Levi Philip Marsman Music: Michael Galasso, ITMFL I,II, Angkor Wat Theme, Shigeru Umebayashi, Yumej’s Theme Lighting Design: Adam Ditzel Costumes: Verb Stock Robert Carter (Guest dancer), Emily Dietz, Emani Drake, Ashley Forché, Hunter Hoffman, Noe Iwamatsu, Kelly Korfhage, Lieneke Matte, Antonio Morillo, Julie Russel, Elizabeth Schaeffer, Benjamin Shepard, Kate Webb, Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni (International Cultural Exchange Artist)

Luck and Fortune (2021)

Choreography: Liu Mo Music: Víkingur Ólafsson and Jóhann Jóhannsson, Flight from the City Max Richter, The Sorrows of Young Lacie, The Journey, Not the Destination, Preludium Lighting Design: Adam Ditzel Costumes: Verb Stock Robert Carter (Guest dancer), Emily Dietz, Emani Drake, Ashley Forché, Hunter Hoffman, Noe Iwamatsu, Kelly Korfhage, Lieneke Matte, Antonio Morillo, Julie Russel, Elizabeth Schaeffer, Benjamin Shepard, Kate Webb, Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni (International Cultural Exchange Artist) Thank you for joining us this evening.

Tonight’s program is approximately one hour and 5 minutes long.

BIOGRAPHIES Stephanie Martinez With over 30 years professional performing experience, Stephanie Martinez has danced for Amaranth Dance Company, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Concert Dance, Inc, Same Planet/Different World Dance Theater and Dance Chicago amongst many others. In 2009, her choreographic debut, AviMar for Luna Negra Dance Theater instantly secured her status as a sought-after dancemaker.

Over eleven years of award-winning choreography, Stephanie moves her audiences along a journey guided by the kinetic momentum of her work. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement. Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country.

In 2015, Martinez was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color.

More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere of Bliss! with Joffrey Ballet. Dubbed “a chameleon” of choreography by the Chicago Tribune, Martinez’s psychologically revelatory works challenge the viewer’s notion of what’s possible.

Stephanie Martinez is the founder and artistic director of Chicago-based repertory company PARA. MAR Dance Theatre. Founded in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. PARA.MAR was created together, with, and for diversity and access to excellence in contemporary dance - created, curated y hecho en Chicago.

Photo: Kolman Rosenberg

BIOGRAPHIES

Christopher L. Huggins Christopher L. Huggins is a choreographer, teacher, and former member of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he trained under Andrea Herbert Major, Danny Sloan, and Martha Gray. After attended SUNY Purchase, The Julliard School, and a fellowship at The Ailey School, Huggins appeared as a guest artist in several dance companies in the United States. Internationally, he was a guest artist with Oslo Dance Ensemble of Norway and Aterballetto of Italy.

After a long dance career, the sought-after choreographer has created ballets for Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ailey II, Philadanco!, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Lulu Washington Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.

He was honored to serve as sole choreographer for the 50th Anniversary Opening Night Gala for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in 2008. He has also worked on several projects for the Walt Disney Company. His awards include the Alvin Ailey Award for Best Choreography (2002 and 2008), the Black Theater Alliance Award in Chicago, the International Contemporary Dance Competition in Korea, and Service to IABD in the Field of Dance Award from the International Association of Blacks in Dance. In March 2021, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in choreography.

As a master teacher and choreographer, he has worked in South Africa, Europe, Japan, Korea as well as throughout the United States. In addition to commissions for Ailey II and The Ailey School, he has set works on major Universities including Howard University, Spellman College, University of Arts, Eastern and Western Michigan and Wayne State University. Huggins is currently serving as resident choreographer at Duke Ellington High School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

BIOGRAPHIES

Liu Mo From Xi’an, China, Liu Mo trained at the renowned Beijing Dance Academy from middle school through college. He received a degree in Classical Chinese dance with a focus in performance and education.

During this time, he received 3rd place for his solo at the prestigious Taoli Bei dance competition and had the opportunity to work with many choreographers, such as Shen Wei for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Following the completion of his degree, Liu Mo served as an instructor in the foundations of Classical Chinese dance at the Beijing Dance Academy until 2011. From 2012 to 2019, He danced with KunYang Lin/Dancers in Philadelphia, PA. Liu Mo has choreographed commissioned works for Ballet 180, Hua Hua Zhang, Hua Xia, and Kun-Yang Lin/ Dancers.

BIOGRAPHIES Dr. Margaret Carlson Producing Artistic Director Dr. Carlson has worked internationally in performing, teaching, choreographing, and in arts administration.

Dr. Carlson was an original member of the Cleveland Ballet, serving as a Principal dancer from 1972-1983.

Also a member of Actors Equity, she performed in numerous musical theatre tours throughout the 1970’s, including Sweet Charity, Ballroom, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brigadoon, Mame, Hello Dolly! and The Merry Widow.

For many years, she choreographed for the Cleveland Opera. Dr. Carlson served as Director of the School of Dance at the University of Akron from 1985-1993.

In 1993, she became Dean of the School of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, until she returned to Cleveland in 1999. She then served as the Development and Education Director for the Cleveland San Jose Ballet. She consulted both nationally and locally through her company, Carlson Consulting Group, Inc., with groups that have included The American Dance Guild, Chinese Performing Artists of America, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Ohio Ballet, Dancing Wheels, Ohio Youth Ballet, Ohio Conservatory of Dance, Tom and Susana Evert Dance Theatre, and White Cloud Studios. Dr. Carlson founded the American Alliance of Dance Artists and served as its first President.

She has served as a Board member and officer for Fairmont Center for the Arts, Kids on Broadway, DANCECleveland, the Cleveland Ballet Council, the American Dance Guild, the Council of Dance Administrators, the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Dance Company and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund. She served as the secretary of the International Organization for Transition for Professional Dancers, a sub-committee of UNESCO, based in Switzerland from 1998-2006, and was a Board member of the American Dance Guild in NYC for 20 years and served as its Treasurer and vicepresident for 10 years. Dr. Carlson currently serves on the board of trustees of Cleveland Dance Movement and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. She is known for her work as the regisseur for the works of Ian (Ernie) Horvath and has been working with Nel Shelby Productions on the documentary film, No Dominion, about his life. She received her doctorate from Durham University in the United Kingdom.

BIOGRAPHIES Richard Dickinson, MFA Associate Artistic Director A former dancer with Ohio Ballet in Akron, OH, Dickinson’s association with that company began in 1988. He later became ballet master and director of company touring. He currently is Associate Artistic Director of Verb Ballets. Richard has served as Artistic Associate for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

He was most recently the Artistic Director of Ballet Western Reserve (Youngstown, OH) and the Artistic Director of Great Lakes Festival Ballet (Warren, OH). Dickinson has also directed Boston Ballet II and was a soloist with Boston Ballet for eight years. At age fifteen, he joined the Pasadena Dance Theatre and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Emerging Choreographer Award for a work premiered by the same company. He performed in the PBS television production of Frankie and Johnny with the Chicago Ballet and danced principal roles in Asian, European and American tours with Rudolf Nureyev and the Boston Ballet. In addition to an extensive dance career, including principal and soloist roles with Ohio Ballet, Boston Ballet, Honolulu City Ballet, various regional companies and Chamber Dance Theatre in Milwaukee, where he was also Artistic Director. Dickinson has adjudicated four Regional Dance America festivals held throughout the United States. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University in 2005.

BIOGRAPHIES Emily Dietz, Company Emily Dietz grew up in Mountain View, California, receiving most of her training at Western Ballet under Alexi Zubiria. She attended summer programs with ABT, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet. She continued her dance education at Butler University, graduating with a BS in Dance Arts Administration in 2016. During her time at Butler, she performed in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake and toured with Butler Ballet to Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Following graduation, she has danced professionally with City Ballet of San Diego and American Contemporary Ballet, where she danced in repertoire such as Betsey Wistrich’s Raymonda, Balanchine’s La Source, and Geoff Gonzalez’s Four Seasons. Emily joined Verb Ballets in 2018.

Kelly Korfhage, Company Kelly Korfhage, a native of Cleveland, began her training at age 10 under Joanne H. Morscher and Ana Lobe. She attended summer intensives at ABT Detroit, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, BalletMet, Cincinnati Ballet, and North Carolina Dance Theatre. She furthered her dance education at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music as a Corbett Award scholarship recipient, and graduated cum laude with a BFA in ballet performance. Following graduation, Kelly became a member of Kansas City Ballet’s second company, KCB2, for two seasons where she had the opportunity to perform with the company in repertoire such as Septime Webre’s Alice (In Wonderland) and Adam Hougland’s Rite of Spring. Kelly joined Verb Ballets in 2016 and has been featured in works such as Andante Sostenuto and Schubert Waltzes.

Lieneke Matte, Company Lieneke Matte grew up in the Bronx and received her early training at Ballet Tech and the School of American Ballet. She then attended Fiorello H. La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts in New York.

Lieneke studied for a semester at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A in dance from SUNY Purchase College in May of 2013. There she also received the President’s Award for the dance conservatory. She has performed in works by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, Nicolo Fonte, Nicholas Villeneuve and Xiao-Xiong Zhang. Lieneke also was a dancer in the documentary No Dominion: The Ian Horvath Story which included re-stagings featuring dancers from Verb Ballets, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet and Ballet Tucson. Lieneke joined Verb Ballets in 2013 and has been featured in works such as Duet and Laura’s Women.

BIOGRAPHIES Antonio Morillo, Company

Antonio is a first-generation Cuban American born in Orlando, Florida.

He received his Associate of Arts in Dance Performance from Valencia College and his BFA in Dance Performance from the University of South Florida. Antonio has performed with the Patel Conservatory’s Next Generation Ballet as well as Tampa City Ballet. He has performed works by Jon Lehrer, José Limón, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Robert Moses’ Kin, and Maurice Causey. Antonio joined Verb Ballets in 2016 and has been featured in works such as Aposiopesis.

Benjamin Shepard, Company

Benjamin Shepard began dancing in Annapolis, Maryland and trained with Ballet Theater of Maryland, as well as attending summer programs at The Washington School of Ballet, The Kirov Academy, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. He then continued his training and education on a full tuition scholarship at Butler University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration and Dance. He had the privilege of performing as a guest artist during his time at Butler with Ballet Theater of Indiana; he performed the role of Gurn in La Sylphide as well as Dr. Seward in Dracula. While performing with Butler Ballet, his favorite roles were Rothbart in Swan Lake, The Flower Cavalier in the Nutcracker, a soloist in Viva Vivaldi by Gerald Arpino, and the Second Movement Soloist in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. Benjamin joined Verb Ballets in 2018 and has been featured in works such as Rococo Variations and Paganini Rhapsody.

Kate Webb, Company Kate Webb grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. She trained around the country at numerous intensive programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Upon graduating from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts, she attended Butler University on both dance and academic scholarships. While dancing with Butler Ballet, she performed in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. After fulfilling her degree in three years, she graduated cum laude in May of 2015 with a BS in Dance-Arts Administration and high departmental honors. Kate joined Verb Ballets in 2015 and has been featured in works such as Peter Pan and Aposiopesis.

Robert Carter

Guest Dancer courtesy Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

Theater of Harlem.

Robert Carter has been an American primo donna ballet dancer for Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo for over 25 years. As a lead dancer and its most senior member, Carter is the public face of the all-male dance troupe. Carter was born and was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He trained at the Ivey Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School. He has performed with a number of dance groups, including the Florence Civic Ballet, Bay Ballet Theater, and the Dance

BIOGRAPHIES Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni, International Cultural Exchange Artist

Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni is from South Africa and began his training at Cape Academy of Performing Arts and then later participated in an intensive at South Africa International Ballet. He studied in the United States, training in California at Dance for All and went to Kaatsbaan International Dance Center under the guidance of Stella Abrera. Professionally, he has danced with the Joburg Ballet and Mzansi Ballet. Sikhumbuzo joins Verb Ballets in 2021 as a part of Verb’s International Cultural Exchange Program. He will be sharing South Africa’s dance traditions with Verb Ballets.

Hunter Hoffman, Apprentice

Hunter Hoffman is a first generation American raised by his Cuban family and born in Miami, Florida where he trained at the Mencia Pikeiris School of Dance and the Miami Youth Ballet. While studying on scholarship to receive his BFA in Dance Performance from Mercyhurst University, Hunter had the opportunity to work with The Mercyhurst Dancers, Lake Erie Ballet, New World Connection, and Ballet Concerto performing roles such as The Cavalier and Spanish in Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. He also spent a summer in Texas studying under Margo Dean, founding member of Texas Ballet Theatre. He has trained under other prominent dancers and choreographers such as Nilas Martins of New York City Ballet, Maria Caruso of Bodiography, and Tauna Hunter of Ballet West. He joined Verb Ballets as an apprentice in 2019.

Noe Iwamatsu, Apprentice

Noe Iwamatsu was born in Japan and began her ballet training at Prendre Ballet Studio in Japan. In 2014, she was chosen to attend the summer intensive of Central School of Ballet in London. She moved to London after acceptance to the Central School of Ballet where she graduated with honors with a BA in professional dance and performance. She performed with Ballet Central, the junior company of Central School of Ballet, and toured the United Kingdom. Most recently, Noe was a trainee with American Repertory Ballet in New Jersey. She performed with the American Repertory Ballet Company directed by Douglas Martin in various roles in the Nutcracker and Coppelia. Noe joined Verb Ballets as an apprentice in 2019.

Julie Russel, Apprentice

Julie Russel was born in China and raised in Cedar, Michigan, trained at Dance Arts Academy under the direction of Betsy Carr. Julie spent summers training at the Washington School of Ballet, BalletMet Columbus, and Cecchetti Council of America. Julie graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May of 2019 with a BFA in Dance Performance and BA in Environmental Sustainability. While at the University of Oklahoma, Julie had the pleasure to perform works by Merce Cunningham, Ilya Kozadayev, Sonia Dawkins, David Hochoy,

BIOGRAPHIES Trey McIntyre, Jean Guillaume Weis, Kevin Iega Jeff, Nilas Martins, Amy Hall Garner, and Raimondo Rebeck. She has also performed with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre. Julie joined Verb Ballets as an apprentice in 2019.

Emani Drake, Trainee

Emani Drake is from Cleveland, Ohio where she began her dance training at Revolutions Dance Academy under the direction of Lisa and Tricia Bires. Simultaneously she trained at the Cleveland School of the Arts as well as Tri-C Creative Arts Academy under the leadership of Jessica Spurlock, Antonio Brown, and Kay Eichman. She has also studied at various summer intensives including The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Deeply Rooted as a scholarship recipient. Emani graduated with a BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts. While being a full-time student at UArts, she was a member of Eleone Dance Theatre from 2017-2019. Additionally, Emani has performed in the work of Amy Hall Garner, Christopher Huggins, Juel D. Lane, Tommie-Waheed Evans, and Kevin Iega Jeff. Emani is very excited and honored to be joining Verb Ballets as a trainee for the 2020-2021 season.

Ashley Forché, Trainee

Originally from Pickerington, Ohio, Ashley received her dance training from BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. She has trained with several other companies including Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence, Orlando Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and BalletMet. In December 2019, Ashley graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business from Belmont University.

Professional experience includes traineeships with Nashville Ballet and Oklahoma City Ballet. Works she has performed include The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Ashley joined Verb Ballets as a trainee in 2019.

Elizabeth “Betsie” Schaeffer, Trainee

Elizabeth “Betsie” Schaeffer was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan before returning home to New Hampshire at the age of 11. She began her dance career with Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Schaeffer graduated from Belhaven University in 2018 with a BFA in Dance where she received artistic and scholastic awards. Schaeffer has attended the Bates Dance Festival, guested in local theaters as Sugar Plum and Princess Florine, and performed for adjudicators at the Alabama Dance Festival and the National American College Dance Association Festival at the Kennedy Center. Schaeffer danced professionally with Ballet Hartford in Connecticut.

Betsie joined Verb Ballets as a trainee in 2019.

Proud to be the official Physical Therapy provider for the dancers of Verb Ballets.

VERB BALLETS GENEROUS SUPPORT

The Carlson Trust Laub Foundation

James P Farley

This project was supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Verb Ballets is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

CORPORATE SPONSORS

VERB BALLETS Generous Supporters Impresarios $45,000+ The Cleveland Foundation Presidents Club $20,000-$44,499 Cuyahoga Arts & Culture The George Gund Foundation The Akron Community Foundation The Carlson Trust The Director’s Circle $10,000-$19,999 Cleveland Cliffs Inc, The Char & Chuck Fowler Foundation Peg’s Foundation James D. Graham & David M. Dusek Ken Milder John P Murphy Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Underwriters $5,000-$9,999 The Ohio Arts Council James P Farley Robert & Tuya Shwab Footsteps Benefactor’s $ 1,000-$4,999 Dr. Bradford & Margaret Richmond Laura Cleveland The Cleveland Clinic Deborah & Mac Donley Excess Reinsurance Clive Hamlin & Jane Sembric Eric & Marian Klieber JP Farley Corporation The Laub Foundation The Lubrizol Corporation The Lubrizol Foundation Mary Anne Garvey & A.J. Cianflocco Deborah Glosserman Anonymous Koehler-Fitzgerald LLC Frederick Lautzenheiser Marianne Lax & Charles Sheehe Debra Light & Bruce Sherman Leslie Kaufman Troy McCarty & Raudel Napoles Deborah Neale Charlene & Marv Nevans

Anonymous Robert Perry Richard Rinehart Richard Family Fund RPM International Inc. Anna Soskic Christine Skalko Hema & Shaylor Steele Anonymous Shah Capital Management Test.com/Gauge VBA Vocon Design Judith Wolf & Robin Richmond Charitable Fund Janice Young Margaret Wong Brian Wynne & Pat Cozzens Sponsors $500-$999 Debra & Phil Canuto Scott & Jean Frank Bob & Susan Webb Jeri Chaikin & Joel Newman Rejeanne Desrosiers Forrester Neilsen Charitable Fund GlaxoSmithKline Ann & David Lavelle William Li Karen Litterer Hannah, Joanna & Robert Matte Mary Mozer Anonymous Richard & Alita Rogers Family Foundation Louis & Sylvia Rosenblum Memorial Philanthropic Fund Herbert Schilling Barbara & John Schubert Louise Skalko Oliver Shirokauer Cheryl & Mickey Weinstein Carrie & Patrick Wilson

As of February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021

VERB BALLETS Generous Supporters Eleanor & Charles Blackman Patrons $250-$499 Courtney Laves-Mearini Diana Borcz & Fred Haek Lynda Bender Lois Jeavons Mindy Carter & Sally Clem Denver Brooker & George Leggiero Chung Fu Chang Richard Dickinson, MFA Gary Levine Madison Clark Pauline Chen Helen Ligget Leslie & Bernard Davidson Anndria Ciabattoni Lan Lin Audrey DeClement Deborah Coleman & Lillian Johnston Iraj & Martha Dehnow Dan Polster Carrie & James Mayer Lynn Deering David M. Douglass Joan Machovina Anonymous Anonymous Terry & Marcia Madden Kristin French Roy Lamberton Deborah Monaco George Graham & James R & Marilyn Furry Mariam Manoukian Michael Fleenor Halle Graham Dolores Martinez Michael Ellis Carol JP Griffith Lori Martinez Joan Englund James & Kathleen Hammett Krista Mcfadden Michael Fabian Mary Heeney & Lou Dietz Dianne McIntyre David Foos Yolanda Maddox Martin & Barbara Milder Stephen Fellman Lieneke Matte Mary Milidonis Robb Forward Adam Munson Eberhard & Denise Molesch James & Susan Freeman Network for Good Kathy Moses Salem Judith Ryder Frumaker Elissa & Gary Okin Frances & Derek O’Brien Louis B. & M. Jayne Geneva Nils Reuter Stephanie Palomo Jeannie Fleming-Gifford G L Robinson Laura & Marc Pesetsky Anna Greenfield Charitable Jennifer Rudolph William B. Petersen Foundation Michael J. Seider Joanne Poderis Nick Giori Paul Secunde George Pope John Scott Gordon Sarah & Frank Shepard John & Norine Prim Lonnie Gronek Linda & Arnold Shepard Catherine Puckett Nancy Hartman Lorraine Szabo Albert Reid Christine Havice Tredegar Coporation Marilyn Roberson Rachel Hayward Mary Warren Brian Robinson Erin Hopkins William Watterson & Kolman Rosenberg Ann Gaskin Melissa Richmond Charles & Sheila Royer Nick Giori Katie & John Winter James Russel Tauna Hunter & Claudia & David Woods Thomas Sabella Michael Gleason Wilma Salisbury Rosy Hong & Jeff Weil Beverly Saylor Andrean Horton Friends $100-249 Margaret Saxon Leigh A. Hudacek Nozar Alaolmoki & Jackie Sajewski Kikue Iwamatsu Kathleen Ross-Alaolmoki Don & Claire Schuele Nancy Jacobson Pamela Barron Toni & Don Scherzer Stacy Jones Dr. John Bergfeld Catherine Sheehe Ruth Kabat Barbara Conforti John Shelley William & Susan Kirchner Cassandra Crowley Mike & Sarah Shepard Wendy & Jason Kouvaras Diane Collier David & Peggy Shepard Martin Kohn & Madison Clark Janus Small Associates Marcia Silver Dolores Bastaich Gail R. Smith Diana Kunze Alex Berk As of February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021

VERB BALLETS Generous Supporters Friends $100-249 cont.

Ron & Marilyn Snyder Karin Stone Steve Szilagyi & Jodi Kanter Maria Tosheva-Nikolova Linda Udell Nathan Udell Carole Walters Nicole Ward Ellen & Andy Webb Margaret Wendlandt Jorene Whitney Taylor Wesley Mary Zoller Supporters Up to $100 Anonymous Medhavi Ahuja Jodi Allen Shannon Allen Astrid Andreescu Melissa Argilan Jonathan Arnstine Hannah Arnson Jonathan Arnstine Sarah Arth Rhen Avner John Beckman Kristy Belohlavek Ann Marie & Terry Berk Joan Bendix Mariam Bennet Daniel Bergman Ted Bergman Milind & Theresa Bhanoo Cullen Bickle Martha Bifano Olivia Bigazzi Ana Blanco Marian Bleeke Rita Book Jefrey & Antje Bogart Katheryn BogueHarris Nicole Billington Mira Bojanic David Bongomo Regina Borsch

Alex Britford Lesa Broadhead Sarah Brody Matthew Brooks Maria Brooks Eva Brosnan E. John Brusser Steve Brusso Carol Bruml Jay Bryson Marni Task Bucchieri Jill Buchanan Kaylee Buckley Jerry Burnett Richard & Marilyn Busch Annie Campbell Susanna Campbell Sarah Carey Lisa Caruso Chi-Son Chen Kerry & Steve Clawson Richard & Judy Cohen Christine Coolick Isla Cook Patricia Cangelosi-Williams Kerry & Steve Clawson Marjory & Carolyn Craft Richard Cohen Petra Costabile Madeline Costanzo Katie & Scott Crosby Nellie Coughlin Robert Cutler Tammy L Currier Colleen Damerell Eda Daniel Paila Darte Carol David Evan Davis Kaye Davis Mimi Davisson Joyce Daughterty Micheal Dean Sarah DeCarlo Kristen DeMoulpied Donna Dengler Catherine Desalvo

Jan & Michael Devereaux Emily Dietz Alexander DiLallo Amelia & Libby Dolan Ashley Dobay Samantha Dominic Patty Dowd Gayle & Stephen Doucette Laureen Drapp Stephanie Dziemianzuk Hillary Easom John Ebert & Joan O’Connor Kay Eichman Elizabeth Ekey Helen Elkanich Mary Kim Elkins P Elzinga Kate Emerick En Pointe Danse Rebecca Esterie Lad Etzol Lisa Evert Chloe Fargo Carrie Felder Savannah Ferguson & Aiel Phames Linda Ferrato Robert Fischer Julie Firestone Derek Flanagan Sallay Fofanah Karen Friedland-Brown Rob & Alison Forche Sandy Forche Natalie Gainer Robert Gardner Joan Grace Tricia Grdnia Kate Gillooly Amy Gore Koichi Goto Julia Galletta Robin Gau Monica Gerrek Mitch Glass Kim Marie Goedecker Cindy Goldberg

As of February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021

VERB BALLETS Generous Supporters Melissa Jones Marla Mulkey Supporters cont.

Akari Kaji Margaret Mullin Richard & Angela Gonzalez Kathleen Cole-Kelly Josh Murdoch Dani Gonzalaz Louis Kelsch Bill Naiman Joan Grace Raynor Kennedy Benjamin Needham Laura Gracon Shirley Klein Lori Nelson Amanda Grassi Pamela Klundt Jerry Nurenberg Debra Gressel Wendy Kohn Ayaka Noguchi Mary Greenlee Donna Knight Bill Noble & Lynda Kathleen Good Bath Ruth & Ed Krise Sackett Hannah Goodman Dr. Stephanie Krise & Ben Sayer Srob Oberman-Breindel Amy & Jeff Gore Denise Kohn Isabella Overstreet Colleen & Naomi Grant Marie and Gary Korfhage Catherine Pace Leigh & Al Gruber Ann Koster Suwan Park Elizabeth Gruber Hannah Kulawiak Amy & Lloyd Park Emilie Gruchow Diana Kunze Vai Pathak Hope Hagan Dawn Kurderna & Lewis Zipkin Noriko Paukert Diane & Peter Hauk Jaimie Leader-Goodale Myritta Paul Ellen Halfon Frances Lee Kelley Pelini Janet Hayashi John Leontovich Sheila Pearson Aaron Hayes Pavia Lewis Anne-Marie Peters Kristen Harzeeski Ann Levin & Henry Christine Peters Nancy Hartman Mankowski Lili Pigott Colette Heeney Elena Li & Christopher Kitto Laura Pletcher Nicole Hennington Emily Koritz Kathleen Poole Thomas Hermsen Tony Li Pamela Pribisco Monica Herron Julie Libman Gail Raabe Robert Hickson Diane & Charles Link Linda Rademaker Shelly Hillyer Maria Livers Kim & Kaia Rako Yukimo Hiroshmia Julia Lobosco Kathleen Rak Hollopeter Family Katie Long Noor Ramahi Hunter Vidal Hoffman Maria Lopez Amara Ramano Audrey Hudak Yevdokiya Lopukhina Victoria Ratliff Sandi Lu Hurley Anne Lukas Malina Rauschenfels Yumi Ijiri Madeleine Lucchetti Elliot Rigsby Megumi Iwamatsu Quisha Ma Maria Rivers Michiro Iwamatsu Elize Manoukian Kelsey Rohr Yumiko Iwamatsu Michelle Mannino Butch Robbins Hana Jackson Haruno Marata Barbara Robinson Hannah Jackson Sally Maruca Carly Rogers Denise & Erick Jensen Fay Mark Sally-Christine Rodgers Melanie Jensen Joel Marx Marc Ruckel Manoj Jhvari Pat Melargno Molly Rumble Carol Jones Callie McAdams Kathryn Russel Stephanie Jacobson Alex Michaels Kazuyo Saito Avis Johnson Mary Kay Miller Julie Sabroff Susan Elizabeth Johnson Moe and Luna Stephanie Saccone Janice Jones Angela Morgand Flavia & Carlos Santos Annie & Sean Jones As of February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021

VERB BALLETS Generous Supporters Supporters cont.

Laurie Saunder Felicity Sanchez Nancy Schachtek Betty Jo Scurei Shellie Sedlak Peter Selover Sharon Sellers Sharon Shapiro Sherry Skalko Jessamyn Slon Jane Stewart Smith Valerie Smith Celine Spinka Allison Schlosser Tim Shaw Ben Shepard Elizabeth Shepard Leigh Shepard Marie Shepard Rochelle Straffon Katharyne Starinksy Jane Startzman Carol Stevens Cheryl Stump Moe Tanaka Patty Terstenyak Ginger Thatcher Ellen & Harold Ticktin Bethany Tinlin Wend Turrell Donna Tuturici Linda Tobin Karin Tooley Amy Tunno Robert Volkmer Daniel Wagner Maki Wantanabe Michael Weaver Kate Webb Steven Welch Heather Wells Laura Whalen Nan Wiggins Ellen Ulinkski Patty Vicek Vivian Victor Jason Veloso

Janet Voss Fiona Watson Jene Wilson Benjamin Winters Judith Wiseman Julia White Anonymous Natsuki Yamaki LaWanda York Sakura Yoshioka Tatiana Ybarra Nanami Yoshida Alexandra Zaslav Lisa Zuppert

Verb Ballets Endowment Fund $10,000+ Ken Milder Below $10,000 Dr. Margaret Carlson Robert & Tuya Shwab Mary Anne Garvey & A.J. Cianflocco Leslie Kaufman Scott Cowen Koehler-Fitzgerald LLC

As of February 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021

Photo: Jackie Sajewski

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Cleveland Public Theatre’s STEP Education Program Photo by Steve Wagner

... WITH INVESTMENT BY CUYAHOGA ARTS & CULTURE Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) uses public dollars approved by you to bring arts and culture to every corner of our County. From grade schools to senior centers to large public events and investments to small neighborhood art projects and educational outreach, we are leveraging your investment for everyone to experience.

Your Investment: Strengthening Community Visit cacgrants.org/impact to learn more.