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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. Both organizations are now working collaboratively to secure funding for the expansion of Guzzetta Hall.
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 has requested $8.5 million from 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.
Funding has already been received by the University 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,” sad President Luis M. Proenza.
“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,” said Timothy H. Champion, president of the 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 added.
Proenza says the cooperative effort to expand Guzzetta Hall is a part of the University’s New Landscape for Learning initiative that is now 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,” says Mark Auburn, dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts and a board member of Ohio Ballet. “This project will help us create an even more vibrant environment for the performing arts.”
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.
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