Derived from the Greek, neos means “to start something new.” And since its inception, Neos Dance Theatre has aimed at doing just that by creating a new business and artistic model that serves multiple communities throughout northern Ohio, said co-founder and artistic director Bobby Wesner.
What began as a “mom and pop shop” dance company in 2004 has since grown into its own independent entity that connects and collaborates with communities nationwide.
Wesner explained that he and his wife Brooke started assembling dancers whenever performance opportunities arose. “We did that for years before we ever called it anything,” he said.
In 2008, Neos went under the umbrella of the Renaissance Theatre, which served as the dance company’s fiscal sponsor. A year later, the company got its own studio located at 101 N. Main St. And just this past year, Neos has become an independent non-profit organization.
“It was a natural progression for us to become our own independent organization, especially because of the broader reach that our model is based on, where the concept is to go from community to community,” said Wesner.
The Wesners are no strangers to the idea of outreach. After both graduating from Ashland High School and dancing with the Ashland Regional Ballet among other studios in the region, the two performed with people throughout the country.
“We were networking and dancing all over from east to west. During a heavy performance time we were going everywhere,” Wesner stated.
Wesner attributes those years of networking to the formation of several partnerships and performances. That work continues in an upcoming show called “Snow White and the Magic Mirror: A Grimm Tale,” which is to be held in Akron and Findlay in April.
Neos’ 11 dancers will be joined by over 40 community and/or Akron University students for the first weekend performance. The following weekend, the Neos dancers will perform with a different crew from Findlay.
“We’re really, really excited about it, but it’s an immense amount of work,” Wesner said.
Wesner, who choreographs most of the studio’s performances, is choreographing the upcoming show. He stated that the company began rehearsing in December.
‘The more work that we are able to acquire from elsewhere I think puts Mansfield a little bit more on the map culturally and allows us to tour, which has a snowball effect because we’re taking all of the communities that we serve with us on the road,” he added.
In regard to touring, Wesner said that the studio is “still trying to carve a path.” However, the dancers have been able to tour several different conventions and festivals across the nation, and they have joined other communities to dance with their local symphonies.
Neos dancer Katie Edmonds of Hudson, Ohio expressed her appreciation for Neos, stating, “It’s like no other company I’ve ever worked for. A lot of times in the arts and in ballet companies especially there’s a huge focus on what you’re not doing right, but Bobby and Brooke are ready to give you a chance to express yourself.”
Fellow Neos dancer Erin Buck of Westerville, Ohio also touted the opportunities provided by Neos, stating, “After I graduated from Akron, I originally thought that I wanted to move to New York, but then realized that wasn’t for me. It’s been really cool to find a dance company in Mansfield, Ohio that gives you all kinds of opportunities that you really might only expect from a bigger city or company.”
Keeping in line with the Neos model, many of the company’s dancers represent cities spread throughout the state, and even the globe.
“We have dancers from all over,” he said. “There is one from Seattle, another from Columbus, a couple from Akron, a guest artist from Louisville, one from Massachusetts, and we had two dancers from South America.”
“All of our dancers have trained almost their entire lives and all of them are well-versed in multiple styles of dance,” he further mentioned. “A lot of what we do is contemporary ballet, movement that requires solid ballet training.”
For those who may not have professional dance experience, Neos also sees novice dancers for the evening classes hosted at the studio. Wesner said that these classes allow for personalized attention for the dancers, given the smaller class sizes.
Individuals interested in participating can visit the website or Facebook page.
Neos also participates in educational outreach, as well, by leading programs at local and northern Ohio schools.
“We’re thinking very broad and planting seeds all across northern Ohio,” Wesner concluded.
