MANSFIELD — Richland Academy of the Arts (RAA) dance department is excited to present its 2026 spring dance concert on Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at Lexington High School in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center.
RADE (Richland Academy Dance Ensemble) is one of the Academy’s pre-professional dance groups, where members undergo hours of weekly training to enhance their skills, improve technique, and pursue their passion for dance.
RAA has four dance company groups: Rade, Rade Jr., RadKidz & a brand new group of our youngest company members, RadKidz2.
This is RAA’s 4 th year performing their spring dance concert at the beautiful Lexington High School theatre.
“The Lexington auditorium is a perfect venue for our March dance performance; the dancers love the stage and the audience has a great view no matter where they choose to sit! We are grateful for Jacob Poiner who designs the lights and makes our time in the theatre so wonderful,” says dance department chair Sarah Horrigan-Ramos.
In this performance, attendees will enjoy a variety of dance styles; ballet, jazz, tap & contemporary, including Broadway’s “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago “Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat” from Guys & Dolls and “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray. It will also feature classical ballet excerpts from Swan Lake, Paquita and Giselle.
Original and new choreography by Marden Ramos, Erin Wolford and Sarah Horrigan Ramos showcases Academy dancers’ full range of ability and talent.
Dancers will perform excerpts from Marden Ramos’s Women Behind the Window which is always a favorite of the dancers and audience.
This year the Academy is celebrating seven high school seniors in our dance company: Angelina Blankenship, Goal Digital Academy; Trevor Grimes, Wooster High School; Ava Irwin, Mansfield Christian HS; Olivia Laux, St. Peter’s HS; Eva Rietschlin, Ontario High School; Esther Stanfield, Madison High School; and Mia Wilson, Clear Fork High School.
Each of our senior company members has danced at the Richland Academy for many years; their final RADE show performance is the culmination of their dedication, hard work and training.
Isabella Oster, Knox County Career Center; is also a HS senior in RAA’s dance program and a guest performer in the RADE show. All the dancers are looking forward to performing for their friends, family and community.
Many of the Academy’s dance company alumni have gone on to study dance in college, perform in various dance companies, and pursue a career in teaching dance. The Academy believes that their dance programs not only teach students proper technique but also mental and physical discipline, time management, problem solving, and performance skills.
Tickets for this in-person performance are on sale now:
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and Veterans. Join us for this one night only performance celebrating dance and Richland Academy of the Arts talented students.
For more information on things happening at Richland Academy, call 419-522-8224 or visit www.richlandacademy.com.
“Richland Academy … where anyone can explore the artist within,” located at the corner of 4th and Walnut St. was founded in 1991 and is supported by the Ohio Arts Council.
