Ohio Ballet and UA Announce Agreement to Provide Ballet a Permanent Home

Akron, Ohio, Dec. 9, 2002 Ohio Ballet and The University of Akron have forged a new partnership with a 15-year agreement that will provide the ballet its first permanent home and has both organizations working collaboratively to secure funding for the expansion of Guzzetta Hall on the University's campus.

The Center for Dance and Music will bring all of the University's academic programs in the performing arts, dance, music, theatre and arts administration under one roof. Adjacent to Guzzetta Hall and across the street from E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, the center will provide new learning and performance facilities for dance and theatre while enhancing existing facilities for music.

The University of Akron has requested $8.5 million from the State of Ohio's capital funds budget for the 55,000-square-foot facility. It also is working to raise an additional $5 million. Construction will begin after funding is secured.

The University has received funding from several private sources, including a $2.5 million pledge from an anonymous donor, a $150,000 pledge from The Sisler-McFawn Foundation, a $25,000 pledge from The John P. Murphy Foundation, a $20,000 pledge from the Kulas Foundation, and a $10,000 gift from the Charles E. and Mable M. Ritchie Foundation. Ohio Ballet has received an additional $10,000 from the Kulas Foundation.

We are delighted that Ohio Ballet will be an integral partner in this project. This expanded facility will serve to further enhance the long-standing relationship between The University of Akron and Ohio Ballet, says Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron.

For the first time in its history, Ohio Ballet will have a permanent facility to house performance, rehearsal, administrative and storage space, while being ADA compliant, says Timothy H. Champion, president of Ohio Ballet board of directors.

This is an opportunity to strengthen a partnership that The University of Akron began more than 30 years ago, Champion adds.

Dr. Proenza says the cooperative effort to expand Guzzetta Hall is a part of the University's New Landscape for Learning initiative that is revitalizing campus.

This will strengthen The University of Akron's distinction as the home for this professional dance company, and will ensure that our students will continue to be able to derive the cultural benefits associated with this performing art, Proenza said.

Together, Ohio Ballet and The University of Akron are enhancing the artistic, cultural and educational vitality of northeast Ohio. This project will help us create an even more vibrant environment for the performing arts, says Dr. Mark S. Auburn, dean of the University's College of Fine and Applied Arts and a board member of Ohio Ballet.

The Center for Dance and Music will include:

A 700-seat auditorium that Ohio Ballet will use for Akron performances of its annual subscription series. Ohio Ballet will continue to perform in Cleveland as the resident company of Playhouse Square Center.

Office space for the Ohio Ballet administrative, production and artistic staffs.

Studio rehearsal space, locker room and shower facilities and a production and costume shop.

Champion says Ohio Ballet's aggressive fund-raising activities will continue, as it seeks help from its many friends to defray expenses.

Ohio Ballet has launched a five-year, $4 million blended campaign to fund its capital expansion and its endowment. From that campaign, $2 million is to be used as its share of the Guzzetta Hall expansion, and $2 million will be added to the company's existing endowment. Funds generated in the campaign are expected to provide long-term financial stability for the organization so that it can continue to serve tens of thousands of patrons annually through artistic, educational and community outreach programs.

The importance of this campaign cannot be overstated, Champion emphasized. Our partnership with The University of Akron demands no less than Ohio Ballet's extraordinary efforts to position itself as a fiscally responsible partner that will continue to deliver the magic of dance' for the enjoyment of today's audiences and future ballet enthusiasts, Champion says.

Auburn and Champion are available to provide additional comments and information.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Founded in 1968, Ohio Ballet is led by artistic director Jeffrey Graham Hughes and has 12 full-time dancers. The company presents a broad and diverse repertoire of 20th and 21st century danceranging from full-length story ballets to classical and contemporary repertory works. Ohio Ballet is in residence at The University of Akron and is a resident company of Playhouse Square. Ohio Ballet is delivering the magic of dance to growing audiences and ballet enthusiasts throughout Northeast Ohio, including more than 5,700 students who enjoy its outreach programs.