Event Description

Ohio Contemporary Ballet, previously known as Verb Ballets, returns to Playhouse Square with a captivating program that highlights both influential past choreographers and pioneering 21st-century visionaries. The company is honored to present iconic choreographer Donald McKayle's Rainbow Suite featuring excerpts from his 1959 masterpiece Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder. These selections, deeply rooted in African American history and social injustice, depict prisoners' dreams of freedom through memories of their loved ones, all set to the haunting melodies of chain gang songs. Light Rain, Gerald Arpino's 1981 duet, is renowned for showcasing dancers' technical prowess and tantalizing boldness. This piece exemplifies the style of Arpino, co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet, in its defiance of norms and expectations, enthralling audiences to this day. The audience favorite, Dark Matter, by Guggenheim Fellow and choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans, makes a return with its captivating polyrhythmic score and mesmerizing lighting. This piece features bold movements that capture chaos, beauty, and human resilience. Stephanie Martinez, an NEA awardee and renowned choreographer, stretches the boundaries of contemporary ballet with her unique style. Commissioned by OCBallet during the pandemic, World of Another offers an enchanting dance journey that delves into the emotions, actions, regrets, and cherished moments that connect us all. Critics hailed it as “pure gold for the company". Enjoying an engaging evening that captures the echoes of tradition with innovations in 21st-century dance. 

The company has been described by critics as, "preserving the tradition of classical ballet while exploring new avenues of expression within". 

The Plain Dealer said, “Dashes preconceptions ...with keen dramatic power.”