GroundWorks Dance Theater, a contemporary dance company based in Cleveland, will perform Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the ɫҹ University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center (PAC). To highlight the event, dancers from the local community will participate in the production.
“One of my goals for the Performing Arts Center when I got here last year was to increase community involvement and give community members the opportunity to interact with the professional artists we bring to the PAC,” says David Mitchell, general manager of the Performing Arts Center. “The PAC is in a unique position to be that bridge between the community and the arts, and we have to take advantage when we can.”
This collaboration with GroundWorks Dance Theater is giving the 11 participating local dancers an opportunity they otherwise might not have, he says.
Local dancers participating include Samantha Eckert and Adele Pruni, of Dover; Andrew Gazdik, of Gnadenhutten; Jordan Gasser, Sydney Jeffries, Alexis Schupbach and Kaila Shroyer, of New Philadelphia; Emma Brode and Hunter Porcher, of Newcomerstown; Leah Ortt, of Stonecreek, and Olivia McDonough, of West Lafayette. All of the dancers are currently or recently have been students at the following dance studios: Candy Apple’s Dancer Center and Canton Ballet in Canton, Moxie Dance Academy and Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center in Dover and Melody and Motion School of Performing Arts in Newcomerstown.
“Watching the rehearsal process for our local dancers was amazing,” Mitchell says. “They crammed a lot into the one-week process, and the results are something they should be proud of. We have incredible talent in our area, and I hope the community will support them and plan to attend the show and see what they’ve been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.”
Local dancer Sydney Jeffries is also a student at ɫҹ Tuscarawas.
“It has been a privilege to be working with a professional dance company,” Jeffries says. “Letting this town get to know how wonderful dance is is going to be so rewarding when we perform at the PAC. Knowing that people don't have far to drive to see a professional company perform is such an awesome opportunity for everyone!”
Critically celebrated as an “artistically significant” ensemble, GroundWorks Dance Theater, is described as imagination you can see. The ensemble explores the nuances of the human experience through unique and adventurous choreography, bringing audiences face-to-face with fascinating performances of passion, intellect and humor.
The GroundWorks performance is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports high-quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically. Additional support also comes from the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation.
Tickets start at $25 and are available for purchase at the Performing Arts Center box office by calling 330-308-6400 or online at www.kent.edu/tusc/pac. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m.2 p.m.
The Performing Arts Center’s 2016-2017 season is sponsored by Michael Taylor Insurance and Financial Incorporated, an Allstate Agency.
Free parking is available for all shows. ɫҹ Tuscarawas is located at 330 University Drive, N.E. in New Philadelphia.