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 |
