Support Inlet Dance Theatre this Season!

Just over 10 years ago, I believed that there could be a different kind of dance company – a company that focused first on the people, and then on the product. Today, I still hold this belief near and dear to my heart and it’s what continues to serve as the driving force behind Inlet Dance Theatre. What started out as a small, grassroots arts organization has grown into an organization that touches thousands of lives each year. As a Cleveland-grown company, I am proud that Inlet delivers exceptional experiences through our exceptional people.

Community:

Inlet performs as puppets at the West Side Market Centennial Parade

• Inlet engages 4 company members, 3 apprentices, and 8 trainees. All of these dancers play a significant role in our performances and education programming; many of them are transplants from cities throughout the country who now call Cleveland home;
• The community we serve is intentionally broad and represents a diversity of geography, socioeconomic status, and race;
• Inlet was recently chosen as the favorite dance company during PlayhouseSquare’s Dance Showcase (September 2012);
• Inlet performs throughout the community in a variety of venues from Cleveland Public Theater to free public performances at Cain Park each summer.

Education:

Company Member Dominic Moore-Dunson lead children at Ratner School through and Inlet warm-up

• Our programming intentionally puts students in the place of learning about creative problem solving, building collaborative teams, and engaging them in the dance making process;
• Our education projects tie directly with our mission statement…sharing the dance making process with individuals as a way to bring about their personal development;
• Our students in the Inlet Trainee & Apprentice Program and the Summer Dance Intensive come from across the Greater Cleveland community, the country, and as far as Belize or Israel.
  

  Inlet Company and SDI Students prepare backstage at Cain Park for their performance – photo by Lauren Stonestreet

Inlet Dance:

• Inlet has quickly gained a reputation as one of the premiere dance organizations in Greater Cleveland whose non-traditional partnering lineage of dance is unmatched within the region and which appeals to both dance purists and the casual observer;
• Our success is due to your involvement and support of our programs. We are here because of your generosity, your commitment, and your belief in what we do.

For more than 10 years, in an industry where people are often used to further dance, Inlet Dance Theatre has been committed to using dance to further people. Now, we’re asking you to help further us. I am asking you to support Inlet Dance Theatre today by making an investment – an investment in community, education, and Inlet Dance. If you are unable to make a gift at this time, I hope you may consider us at a time when it is more appropriate for you and your family. I thank you for your continued support of Inlet Dance Theatre and look forward to seeing you at one of our programs! Support Inlet Dance Theatre’s mission through your giving today:inletdance.org/support

Bill Wade

Founder & Executive/Artistic Director

P.S. -This year we are trying to raise $15,000 from our friends, families and neighbors. Any gift you can send will greatly help us continue to use dance to further people!

Inlet hosts an International Artist Through The Cleveland Foundation

Kapila Palihawadana, Artistic Director of nATANDA Dance Theatre of Sri Lanka, began his residency with Inlet Dance Theatre.   His three month residency (September-November, 2012) is made possible through The Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion International Artist Residency Program.  Kapila began the process of creating a new work on Inlet Dance Theatre, focusing on the theme of “healing.”

Each rehearsal begins with Kapila giving an Ashtanga Yoga warm up to the company members, apprentices and trainees of Inlet.  This warm up (very different than Inlet’s Hawkins-based release and Pilobolus-based nontraditional partnering background) is currently followed by discussions about the theme and improvisations based on a vetted list of symbols for healing.

Kapila’s energy is contagious and the dancers of Inlet are diving into the work with abandon. His process is similar, in many ways, to the collaborative creative process Inlet regularly utilizes—it is the movement vocabulary that is vastly different, as Kapila infuses his contemporary work with Sri Lankan traditional dance, particularly Kandyan Dance.

In addition to creating the new work for Inlet and learning from Inlet, we created a schedule Kapila to engage the community through master classes and lectures throughout the Northeast Ohio area.  Kapila is sharing his unique blend of dance with CSU, Verb Ballets, Starting Point, the Music Settlement, Tri-C East and West campuses, the Beck Center, Hathaway Brown School, Kent State University, Baldwin Wallace, Firestone High School (Akron) and even at Chagrin Yoga; more will be added to Kapila’s schedule, as well.

Be looking for Kapila throughout the community and plan to view a sneak peek excerpt of his new work at the Hanna Theater when Inlet performs the world premiere of Center of the Earth (Te Pito o te Henua)—our finished work inspired by our international artist exchange with Easter Island.  Tickets to our world premiere at the Hanna Theater are only $10 are they’re going FAST!  For more information regarding the Hanna Theater concert, go to: playhousesquare.org

INLET DANCE THEATRE ANNOUNCES 12TH SEASON

 

Inlet Dance Theatre’s men performing 3 (Men), the third movement of Center of the Earth (Te Pito o te Henua), which will world premiere at PlayhouseSquare’s Hanna Theater (Cleveland, OH) on Fri, Nov 16th.

Photo by Jim Ruthrauff

 

INLET DANCE THEATRE ANNOUNCES 12^TH SEASON

Cleveland, OH August 30, 2012  –  Inlet Dance Theatre will present the following list of performances, programs, and events during the company’s 2012-13 season, which begins September 1^st.   Highlights include the Inlet Trainee & Apprentice Program ’12 (beginning September 4), a performance at the Palace Theatre as part of PlayhouseSquare’s Dance Showcase (Sept 7), the Men in Dance Festival (Seattle, Oct 19-21), two world premieres focusing on global concerns at the Hanna Theatre (Nov 16), multiple residencies as part of the Ohio Arts Council’s Artist in Residence Program, a showcase performance of Center of the World (Te Pito o te Henua) at the upcoming IPAY Conference (Philadelphia, Jan 4-6), and the company’s annual offerings as part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s DanceWorks ’13.  Additionally, Inlet will conduct education programming with new partners, including Laurel School and The Lillian and Betty Ratner School.

 

Inlet’s Founder and Executive/Artistic Director Bill Wade, a winner of a 2012 Cleveland Arts Prize, remarked about the upcoming season. “This next season is packed with exciting opportunities to serve not only Greater Cleveland and other communities, but also export Cleveland-created dance to other areas of the country.” 

 

Here is a more complete listing Inlet Dance Theatre’s season 12 activities:

 

September 4 (2012)—July 26 (2013)

Inlet Trainee & Apprentice Program ‘12, Cleveland, OH

The program is designed for individuals who wish to enhance their development and discover opportunities within the performing arts and who are considering a professional dance career or are preparing to obtain an undergraduate degree in dance.  For more information: http://www.inletdance.org/trainee.html

 

September 7th, 2012, 7:00pm (free!)

Dance Showcase, Palace Theatre

Inlet showcases the excerpt “3 (Men)” from Center of the World (Te Pito o te Henua) as part of the Playhouse Square’s Annual Dance Showcase.  For more information visit  http://www.playhousesquare.org/default.asp?playhousesquare=58&objid=3159.

 

September 8th, 2012

Pandemonium, Cleveland Public Theatre

Inlet takes part in Cleveland Public Theatre’s Annual Fundraiser with a performance of excerpts from Dream of Sleeping as well as a special appearance at dessert.  Visit  www.cptonlline.org  

 

September 10th, 2012, 6-8pm
Auditions will be held for the Inlet Youth Ensemble (ages 12 – seniors in high school).  Call The Music Settlement at 216-421-5806 x100 for more information.

September 15th, 2012, after dusk

IngenuityFestival, Cleveland’s Lakefront Docks 30 & 32

Inlet’s Joshua Brown collaborates with biomedical engineering graduate students Nathaniel Makowski and Daniel Tan to create a physical theater event involving EMG controlled lighting.  For information: http://ingenuitycleveland.com/

 

September 26th, 2012
Inlet’s Fall Classes begin at The Music Settlement. Classes are open to children ages 3- adults. Registration is open NOW! Go to www.cmss.org and click on “Course Info” at the top right for more information

Sept-Nov, 2012
Inlet hosts international artist and choreographer Kaplia Palihawadana (Sri Lanka), as part of The Cleveland Foundation’s International Artist-in-Residence Program, Creative Fusion. For more info: clevelandfoundation.org

 

October 19-21st

Against the Grain/Men In Dance Festival, Seattle, WA

Inlet Dance Theatre will perform Doppelganger and host master classes as part of the 9th Annual Men In Dance Festival.  For more info: http://menindance.org/

  

November 16th, 2012, 7:30pm

Hanna Theatre

Join us for the globally focused world premieres of the completed evening-length work Center of the World (Te Pito o te Henua) and a new work by Creative Fusion international artist Kapila Palihawadana (Sri Lanka), who blends traditional Sri Lankan dance with contemporary dance theatre. For ticket information: Tickets: $10-$15, on sale September 7th through PlayhouseSquare. Call 216-771-4444 for more information.

 

November 30 – December 14

Hathaway Brown School, Shaker Heights, OH

Inlet performs a narrated education concert on Fri, Nov. 30 and conducts an Ohio Arts Council sponsored residency at Hathaway Brown School, culminating in a concert performance featuring participating students.

 

December 3-14

Nativity School, Cincinnati, OH

Inlet performs a narrated education concert on Mon, Dec 3 and conducts an Ohio Arts Council sponsored residency at Nativity School, culminating in a concert performance featuring participating students.

 

January 4-6 (2013)

IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth), Philadelphia, PA

Inlet will showcase Center of the World (Te Pito o te Henua) for an international conference of artists and presenters.  Go to http://ipayweb.org/ for more information.

 

March 4-15

Overfield Early Childhood, Troy, OH

Inlet performs a narrated education concert on Mon, March 4 and conducts an Ohio Arts Council sponsored residency at Nativity School, culminating in a concert performance featuring participating students.

 

April 11-13, 7:30pm

Cleveland Public Theatre’s DanceWorks ’13, Cleveland, OH

Inlet performs selections from repertory and premieres a new work by founder and Executive/Artistic Director, Bill Wade.  For tickets or more information: http://cptonline.org/theater-show.php?id=194

 

June 8, 12noon

Parade the Circle Celebration, Cleveland, OH

Members of Inlet Dance Theatre join hundreds of community members and other performing artists in Cleveland Museum of Art’s annual Parade the Circle Celebration.  FREE!  Parade steps off at 12noon.  For more info: http://www.clevelandart.org/events/special%20events/parade%20v2.aspx

 

June 12 – July 26

Summer Dance Intensive, Cleveland Heights, OH

Inlet’s annual summer education program, which culminates with free performances at Cain Park Evans Amphitheater, will take place at Cleveland Heights High School.  For more information visit: http://www.inletdance.org/education.html

 

About Inlet Dance Theatre

Inlet Dance Theatre is one of the region’s most exciting professional contemporary dance companies.  Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Bill Wade, Inlet embodies his longstanding belief that dance viewing, training and performing experiences serve as tools to bring about personal growth and development.  Inlet’s company members, apprentices, trainees, supplemental dancers, and guest artists build the company’s solid reputation for uplifting individuals and engaging new audiences via performances and education programming. To find out more visit www.inletdance.org.

 

Inlet’s Founding Executive /Artistic Director is awarded a Cleveland Arts Prize

Inlet’s Founding Executive /Artistic Director, Bill Wade, receives a 2012 Cleveland Arts Prize on Sat, June 30th at the ceremony taking place at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

photo by Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer

The oldest award of its kind in the United States, the Arts Prize is a testament to the standard of excellence and quality of artists in Northeast Ohio. In addition to artists, the Arts Prize honors individuals who have expanded the community’s participation in the arts and helped make the region more hospitable to creative artistic expression

Mr. Wade will receive a MId-Career Artists Award in the category of Music and Dance. Four such awards are given each year. The Arts Prize is awarded to mid-career artists who have received national recognition in addition to regional and local acclaim and have resided in Northeast Ohio.

The Cleveland Arts Prize has two purposes:

1. To identify, reward, publicly honor and promote those creative artists whose original work has made Northeast Ohio a more exciting place to live, and whose accomplishments have set a standard of excellence to which other artists can aspire.

2. Artists are essential to a healthy community, and the arts need a supportive environment and an engaged public. Therefore, it is also the mission of The Cleveland Arts Prize to recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations that have expanded the community’s participation in the arts and helped make the region more hospitable to creative artistic expression.

The Cleveland Arts Prize Goal:

It is the goal of the Cleveland Arts Prize to support and encourage artists, and to promote public awareness of artistic creativity in Northeast Ohio through the work of Arts Prize recipients.

“Receiving the Cleveland Arts Prize is both humbling and encouraging. As a choreographer who creates utilizing a collaborative process, I know in my heart this award is shared with the incredible dancers, staff and Board of Inlet Dance Theatre. Cleveland is a rare gem in regards to valuing the arts and culture sector. I love being part of this community.”–Bill Wade

Do you remember…

Students from SDI '11 perform at Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre. Photo by Lauren Stonestreet.

Do you remember what it was like when, as a child or student, you had your “a-ha” moment? The moment you knew you had found something that would help shape who you are? Maybe it was the big catch in the homecoming football game, or playing a piano concerto with just the right amount of emotion, or, maybe, it was dancing. Whatever it was, that was a moment that you may have thought about over the years, sometimes by chance, sometimes by design, but always fondly. Every summer, Inlet Dance Theatre helps create “a-ha” moments for students from all over the world who, for a few weeks, come together and create magic onstage. It’s one more way we use dance to further people’s lives.

Students of SDI showcase the techniques they've learned at a special afternoon matinee at Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre. Photo by Lauren Stonestreet.

The Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) is a six and a half week dance camp that takes place June 13 – July 27.  It costs $1450 for an individual to participate.  Although a very competitive rate for a camp of this length and quality of instruction, some students simply cannot afford it.  This is where you come in.   Through your tax-deductible donation, you can help create an “a-ha” moment today. Whether you are able to underwrite the entire amount or contribute another amount, your gift will make a difference.

The investment you make in these students’ lives will have a prolonged effect on their personal path.  While some will pursue a full-time career in dance, each young person in the program will gain valuable skills in discipline, team-building, interpersonal relationships, and self-esteem as they push themselves to heights they have never before explored.  Over the last decade, we have seen the SDI provide our participants with important tools in their toolbox that benefit them for life.  As one of our recent Summer Dance Intensive participants commented, “This kind of environment is so amazing for people to grow not only as a person, but as a dancer. If I hadn’t been able to do this this year, I don’t know what I would have done. I probably wouldn’t have continued with dance.”

Inlet Company Member Joshua Brown teaches class for students in our 2011 SDI. Photo by Lauren Stonestreet

Help make someone’s dream their reality through your gift made today. You can mail your check made out to Inlet Dance Theatre to the address below or go online to inletdance.org. Thank you for your continued support of Inlet Dance Theatre and I look forward to seeing you at a concert soon!

Checks can be mailed to Inlet Dance Theatre, c/o The Music Settlement, 11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Notes From the Field

Josh warms the kids bodies up before class.

How wonderful it is to be alive.  It’s been a beautiful first week here at Overfield Early Childhood Program in Troy (OH) in my role as lead instructor of Inlet’s Ohio Arts Council sponsored residency.

One of the movement games Josh teaches the students is "mirror."

The kids are brilliant, the staff is amazing, the parents are fun and generous, the town is welcoming and enjoyable, and the weather this week has been delightful.  It’s been quite the learning experience for several reasons.   I’ve been trying to absorb as much as I am able how to incorporate the Reggio Emilio model of early childhood education into my teaching.  It has been challenging and rewarding.  It’s also been a very new experience to teach dance to preschoolers and even toddlers.

Kindergarteners, who are the youngest students at most schools Inlet interacts with, are my oldest students for this residency. All of the students here are constantly showing how capable they are to make their own discoveries and overcome obstacles on their own.  The things that they accomplish are amazing.  The staff is masterful at teaching in this way and they really love the kids.  I’ve also had the opportunity to meet several of the families via dinners and other outings.  It has been a blast and the community is so enjoyable and generous.

—Joshua Brown, Inlet Dance Theatre Company Member/Instructor (3.18.2012)

The Stage Manager in the Studio

by Rachael Sauber

On Monday I visited the Inlet studio to watch their rehearsal. As the company’s stage manager I have often seen Bill’s work before it hits the theatre, but observing the process of creation was a real treat. The dancers bring a sense of play and camaraderie to their work that is infectious.

They are currently working on Te Pito o te Henua (Center/Navel of the World). The piece, which was inspired by their trip to Easter Island, is currently being created as part of the LAUNCH performance creation residency program of the Community Engagement & Education Department of PlayhouseSquare. Inlet has been given the opportunity to finish the piece and hold their rehearsals at the Idea Center.

The section they were working on Monday is titled Te Mau Vaikava, which means Underwater World, and evokes much of what you would expect to see in the ocean: turtles, school of fish, and other creatures.

My favorite moment of the day came during what I like to call “the problem-solving phase.” Bill asked the dancers to create the image of an eel with their bodies.

A few different possibilities were tried…

Until they settled on this one…

Now the fun begins: how will it move through the space? Bill gave suggestions and then observed their movement. They made it about 5 steps before stumbling over each other. Then each of the dancers would talk through what they felt as they tried to both move forward while, at the same time, lifting the person in front. Then they would try again. The creature was starting to take life and really look like something weird and interesting from under water.

Then Bill asked, “I wonder if it can move backwards?” As soon as the dancers tried the whole thing fell back like a stack of dominoes (Well, except Justin, he stood his ground.) The room erupted in laughter and the group decided, maybe that won’t work after all.

What will the final creature look like and how will it move? I guess that will be a problem for another day.

You can see the finished section of “Te Mau Vaikava” at Cleveland Public Theatre’s Danceworks ’12, May 3-5. For more information go to cptonline.org