Ohio Contemporary Ballet
Ohio Contemporary Ballet (OCBallet), formerly Verb Ballets, is located in Cleveland, Ohio and brings bold and inspiring dances to the stage. Today, the company is under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer for the original Cleveland Ballet, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer. Recognized as a premiere dance company in the region, we bring excellent performances that delight and captivate audiences. The company has been an artistic ambassador with tours to Cuba and Taiwan. The company has an extensive roster of award-winning choreographers, varying in styles to help put together a program to suit your audience. Every summer the company tours performing in outdoor venues. Performances can be presented at main stage theatres, casino stages, outdoor amphitheaters and school stages.
Programs can be put together to accompany a local orchestra or musicians. The company has collaborated with many musical organizations including BlueWater Orchestra, the Akron Symphony, Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony and with rock musician, Neil Zaza. Ohio Contemporary Ballet offers a one act version of the holiday favorite, The Little Nutcracker. This production provides an excellent opportunity to involve local studios or community groups in the production for an unforgettable memory.
All performances can also add interactive educational opportunities for community engagement. The company offers outreach programs for all ages that can be taken into schools, community centers, arts institutions, nursing homes and more! In addition, we can also offer pre-show interactives, lectures, dance residencies and masterclass opportunities. Children’s programs explore topics such as arts appreciation, literacy, STEM, and cultural diversity. We also offer programs for seniors that emphasize movement to encourage socialization and wellness. Learn more are ocballet.org.
