Verb Ballets to Premiere New Work by War Veteran and Former Dancer at Dobama Theatre

Verb Ballets makes its debut at Dobama Theatre for a show that will provoke an examination of our contemporary world through dance with Fresh Inventions on October 11 and 12, 2013 at 8pm. Fresh Inventions will premiere new works choreographed by company dancers Stephen James, Stephanie Krise, Brian Murphy and Or Sagi-Woodson. Also, featured on the program is the premiere of a new collaborative work, Warrior Project: Inspiration, between Verb Ballets and the Inspired Veterans Action Campaign (IVAC) funded by the Ohio Arts Council.

Former Akron area dancer, Christian Dollwet, a war veteran and founder of The Inspired Veteran Action Campaign, will facilitate and co-create the piece that tells the stories of five wounded warriors dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dollwet retired from the Air Force in 2011 after 21 years of service. Following his retirement from active duty, Dollwet returned to the service of his country and now works with the Department of the Army; deploying to Afghanistan as a contract pilot. After seeing the first hand effects of PTSD on others, Dollwet has returned to his artistic roots and is now exploring the benefits of arts based therapy in helping others learn to cope with their PTSD. "I met Chris when he studied dance at the University of Akron. I have followed his career and learned about his organization and how art can help the healing process. Bringing Chris into the studio gives him a chance to share some of the experiences of soldiers through dance," said Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson.

Other highlights from the program include works by company dancers. Brian Murphy has been a dancer with the company for six year and is excited to create a new ballet inspired by classical movement. "I enjoy dancing for Verb because they provide a range of opportunities as an artist, performer, and choreographer," said Murphy about choreographing for Fresh Inventions. The light hearted full company work is featuring first movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.

New dancer Stephen James has choreographed, The Raven, featuring the self-titled poem by Edgar Allan Poe. The work is one of the seven sections in the new rock ballet, The Masque, in collaboration with Shadowbox Live of Columbus to premiere at The Breen Center on November 8, 2013. The Masque is a new rock ballet that connects the stories of Poe's, The Masque of the Red Death, with new music composed by the Shadowbox Live and original choreography by the Associate Director, Richard Dickinson and dancers of Verb Ballets.

Single tickets at $25 Center Preferred or $20 Side General Admission and $10 for Students and Veterans. Tickets are available by calling the Dobama Box Office at 216-932-6838 or online atdobama.org. The Dobama Theatre is located at 2340 Lee Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. For more information visit www.verbballets.org.