| |
Pointe of
Departure originated in 1998 as collaboration between Lev Polyakin,
Assistant Concertmaster for the Cleveland Orchestra, Choreographer,
Karen Gabay and partner, Raymond Rodriquez, both principal dancers
with Ballet San Jose/Silicon Valley. The initial performance
combined different dance and musical styles in an intimate setting.
The performance was a success and the audience loved the diversity
of styles that included classical ballet, tap, modern and theatrical
jazz dance. Sold out performances at the Cleveland Institute of
Music, the Cleveland Museum of Art inspired a new idea to formulate
and the concept of creating a small ballet ensemble was born.
In 2001, Karen Gabay and Raymond Rodriguez founded Pointe of
Departure as a 501 (C)3 status Cleveland-based ballet company. To
date, the company has performed for approximately 15,000
enthusiastic audience members in a variety of venues which include
Cain Park, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Play House,
Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre, and Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside,
Ohio.
The future and hope of this endeavor is to further
expand this concept to build a repertoire that would bring together
more dancers and musicians to accommodate the artistic growth of the
company as well as the artists involved. Both audiences and critics
have found the performances to be diverse and highly entertaining.
Pointe of Departure is a much-anticipated event for those who enjoy
theatre, music and great dancing!
Bio of
Karen
Gabay Bio of
Raymond
Rodriguez Dancers
Press
Center
|
| |