ASHLAND — Ashland Regional Ballet & Opus II Dance Studio will collaborate to present a free Dance Concert in the Park at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9 at the Guy C. Myers Memorial Bandshell at Brookside Park in Ashland.
The dancers will present an eclectic program geared toward pleasing audience members of all ages.
“We will be socially distancing to keep attendees and dancers safe,” said Ann Marie Benshoff-Todd, studio director of the Ashland Regional Ballet. “We are very excited to still have the opportunity to put on a performance for our community.
“Our dancers worked hard during quarantine doing hours of zoom classes in their homes. We have safely re-opened the studio with many safety measures in place. Our dancers and their families are so important to us. Being able to still dance, and enjoy the company of the dancers friends has been so beneficial for all of our dancers.”
Appearing in the concert are Ashland Regional Ballet members Megan Abel, Emma Blake, Gisella Blake, Amelia Brown, Audrey Rosby, Tara Tavallae, and Allie Wentworth of Ashland; Taylor Hill of Nova, Megan Harrigan of Nankin, Mikayla Jarvis of Wooster; and Erin Ekin of Galion. Making their premiere performance as members of ARB are apprentices Timora Barnett, Mira Bechtol, Eva Early, Adley Grabowski, Skylynn Heichel, Katrin Parker, Samantha Metz, Lyla Metzger, Valerie Raubenolt, Elise Sabourin, and Emma Schaefer. Appearing as ARB Alumna are Avery Gingrich, Christina Lindhout, Sabrina Lindhout, and Lucia Mancha.
Joining the company dancers are Opus II students Hadley Bechtol, Hazel Bechtol, Addilyn Bryant, Alanah Cole, Haylee Cromer, Ali Heichel, Melanie Irvine-Selby, Teagan Kime, Isabella McArdle, Dylan McQuate, Jackie Metz, Madelyn Shenberger, Gianna Sinchok, and Jordyn Thomas from Ashland; with Audrey Smith of Greenwich; Mayson Middaugh and Sydnee Middaugh of Polk, Adra Herod of Jeromesville, and Audrey Mahon of Shelby. ARB Virtual dancers not in this performance are Anna Slade and Julia Brauner.
Ashland Regional Ballet is under the Artistic Direction of Sarah Cyders. Opus II Dance Studio is under the direction of Benshoff-Todd. Choreography is by Founder/Executive Director Hellie Schussler; and guests ARB alumna Rebekah Brown, Avery Gingrich, Christina Lindhout (courtesy of Verb Ballets), and Sabrina Lindhout (courtesy of Inlet Dance Theater) and newest alumni Lucia Mancha-2020 graduate, and Valedictorian of Ashland High School.
All dances staged by ARB staff/faculty members Cyders and Benshoff-Todd. The directors and staff members have worked together to create a show which not only showcases the dancers’ talents, but is also great family entertainment.
Donations will be used to help Ashland Regional Ballet recoup loss from Covid-19, cover production costs, commission new choreography, and purchase costumes and supplies.
