Verb Ballet Tours Taiwan

Verb Ballets embarked on their first international tour to Taiwan April 10-April 24, 2017 through the support of the Cleveland Foundation's Creative Fusion program. During the two week tour, the company will reunite with choreographer Lee Ming-Cheng and Taiwanese dance company, BodyEDT. The two dance companies will then perform a shared program at the National Theatre & Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan for four performances running April 21-23, 2017. While on tour, the dancers will be conducting outreach in local schools.

Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, based out of Northeast Ohio in the USA, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates a broad audience. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Director, the company ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Verb Ballets has been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch.

Lee Ming-Cheng is the artistic director and creator of Body Expressions Dance Theatre (EDT Body) in Taiwan. BodyEDT work is transdisciplinary which combines tradition, installations, digital, technology, and instrumental music. His works have received many awards including Creative Award, Taishin Art Award, Taipei Digital Art Award and respectively granted dance and technology research awards from the Ministry of Culture. Lee joined Verb Ballets last spring for a three-month residency through The Cleveland Foundation's Creative Fusion program, bringing a world-class style and vision to the company. Verb Ballets will premiere his work, The Arrival of Departure, created during his residency in Cleveland, Ohio at National Theatre & Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.

Upon returning to the United States, Verb Ballets will be joined by Taiwanese company BodyEDT from April 30-May 14, 2017 to continue a cultural and artistic exchange in Cleveland, Ohio. The residency will culminate with a shared program for DanceWorks 2017 presented by Cleveland Public Theatre running May 11-13, 2017.

This dual continental residency connecting a dance company of a major Midwestern city with a Taiwanese dance company offers the opportunity for deeper and prolonged commitment between artists and encourages responsible global citizenry. Verb Ballets is grateful for the support of The Cleveland Foundation in making this residency and trip possible.

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