MANSFIELD, Ohio – Neos Dance Theatre’s 2nd Annual “Ballet @ the Brickyard” was an outpouring of the arts in downtown Mansfield Saturday night.
“Last weekend Mid-Ohio Opera performed right down the street and I heard nothing but rave reviews,” Bobby Wesner, Neos’ artistic director and co-founder, said. “So bravo to them. Tonight “Mary Poppins” is premiering over at the Renaissance Theatre….We’re here this moment, performing, because we’re a performing arts organization.
“There’s so many other opportunities right here in Mansfield and I just want to take a moment to applaud, to celebrate, all of those other performing arts organizations doing what we’re doing and thank them for pushing that mission forward.”
The event not only showcased performances by Neos Dance Theatre and the Richland Academy of the Arts, additional musical entertainment was delivered by Cody Nicolas as guests enjoyed art and food. In between dance sets musical interludes were provided by Lynnie Mae and Bent Miller and Kelly Knowlton.
A variety of visual arts greeted guests as they arrived at Temple Court. Two of the displays were provided by Element of Art and Artspace. Jennifer Donley presented her own art work but Element of Art Director Kathy Goodwin explained that Donley teaches Impressionism to Element of Art classes.
“The influence Jen has on our artists is tremendous,” Goodwin said. Donley studied at the University of Georgia and Ohio University.
Element of Art intern Alana Chandler, of Greenwich, also displayed some of her work. Chandler is studying art therapy at Shawnee State University and she enjoys drawing. She praised Goodwin for leading her internship.
“She’s been awesome. She’s taught me more than I could hope to learn,” said Chandler. She is also impressed with the students at Element of Art. “I’m blown away by the artwork they can produce.”
Also among the visual presentations was art painted at the brickyard by Crossroads Community Church artists. The varied artists work in a variety of mediums. They hold silent auctions for the church’s local mission partners. Pam Frederici and two other artists worked on their pieces at the brickyard during the event.
The main performance by Neos Dance Theatre featured “Searching for the Find,” choreographed by Neos Artistic Director Bobby Wesner; “Chickester Psalms,” choreographed by Hernando Cortez and restaged by Bobby Wesner; and “Suite for Strings,” choreographed by Joseph Morrissey.
The Neos dancers included Juliana Freude, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Katie Griffith, Alec Guthrie, Theresa Holland, Ethan Michael Lee, Kaleb Reilly, Anna Trumbo, and Brooke Wesner. Also participating were apprentice Rebekah Gray and guest artist Victor Jarvis.
Richland Academy of the Arts dancers performed the opening act Ballet @ the Brickyard. The outstanding performers included Lauren Beard, Jillian Cordial, Star Henthorn, Willa Marks, Rachel Wellbacker, and Dalin Williams.
The event was sponsored by Cleveland Financial Group, Charles P. Hahn, CFP, and MT Business Technologies, Inc. sponsored the stage. Numerous sponsors provided food and various other services for the successful evening.
Neos is a non-profit organization and “Ballet @ the Brickyard” kicked off their 2015-16 season in Mansfield. Coming later this season are “Count…The Legend of Dracula” on Oct. 17 and “A 1940’s Nutcracker” on Dec. 12.
Note: The Ballet @ the Brickyard was such an explosion of the arts, three photo galleries appear above right to showcase the visuals arts, Neos Dance Theatre, and Richland Academy of the Arts.
