GroundWorks DanceTheater

- P.O. Box 18107, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

For residents of Northeast Ohio and across the state, GroundWorks DanceTheater stands as a beacon of artistic excellence, continually challenging the boundaries of contemporary dance. Founded in 1998 by the highly respected David Shimotakahara, GroundWorks has flourished from its Cleveland Heights base to become a nationally recognized professional dance company. Critically celebrated as an “artistically significant” ensemble, the company’s mission is to create and present groundbreaking contemporary dance that actively engages, educates, and enlivens the communities it serves.

GroundWorks is synonymous with “imagination you can see.” The company distinguishes itself through a repertoire built on unique, adventurous choreography that explores the nuances of the human experience with passion, intellect, and often, humor. Fundamental to their philosophy is the fostering of new work, constantly commissioning world-class choreographers and collaborating with composers of new music and live musicians to enrich the artistic experience for their Ohio audience. This commitment to fresh, evolving repertoire ensures that every performance offers a fascinating and deeply human experience, attracting both dedicated dance lovers and those new to the art form.

Beyond the mainstage, GroundWorks is deeply integrated into the cultural and educational fabric of Northeast Ohio, offering extensive outreach programs that bring the transformative power of dance into schools, universities, and community centers. Recognized with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council, GroundWorks is truly one of Cleveland’s cultural gems.

For over two decades, the company has consistently pushed creative limits, maintaining its reputation as a vibrant, sustainable organization making a unique contribution to the art of dance, all supported, created, and produced right here in Ohio.

Location and Accessibility

GroundWorks DanceTheater maintains its administrative and creative base in the vibrant arts-focused community of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. While the company is itinerant, performing in various world-class venues across Cleveland, Akron, and the wider region—such as the Allen Theatre Complex and Playhouse Square—its official mailing and organizational address is:

P.O. Box 18107, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, USA

For patrons and community members in the area, the commitment to accessibility is a key element of the company’s community focus. When performing at different venues throughout Northeast Ohio, the organization ensures that the artistic experience is available to all. Accessibility features noted by the organization include:

• Wheelchair Accessible Parking: The company prioritizes selecting performance and residency venues that offer wheelchair accessible parking lots, ensuring ease of access for audience members.
• Performance Accessibility: GroundWorks often partners with major venues like Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University (where it is the in-resident professional dance company), which offer a high standard of accessibility for people with disabilities, including ramp access and dedicated seating.
• Community-Based Performances: By staging performances in unusual settings and various community locations—sometimes even outdoors or in virtual spaces—GroundWorks works to break down traditional barriers to experiencing high-quality dance.

Services Offered

As a contemporary dance company, GroundWorks DanceTheater’s primary “services” center on the creation, production, and presentation of new dance works, complemented by extensive community engagement and education initiatives. These programs serve diverse populations, from seasoned arts patrons to children just discovering movement.

The company's offerings include:

• Mainstage Performance Seasons: Presenting multi-show performance series each year, often debuting in major venues in Cleveland and Akron, showcasing original works by the Artistic Director and commissioned guest choreographers.
• Creation of New Choreography: Commissioning and producing new contemporary dance pieces from nationally and internationally acclaimed choreographers, consistently adding innovative work to the repertoire. Over 100 original works have been created in the company's history.
• Community Outreach and Education Programs: Offering various programs recognized for inspiring and enriching the community. These include Kinection for Learning, dance PROject Residency, and workshops designed to connect movement with academic concepts and foster the creative process in students.
• Dance Intensives and Master Classes: Hosting winter intensives and master classes for youth and pre-professional/professional dancers (age 16+), often in collaboration with institutions like Cleveland State University, to provide high-caliber training.
• Live Collaborations: Presenting works that feature collaboration with live musicians, composers, and artists across different disciplines to deepen the artistic impact of performances.
• Special Engagements and Public Events: Organizing unique community events such as virtual classes, pop-up performances, drive-in-style shows, artist talks, and benefit galas that bring the company face-to-face with the public.
• Residencies and Partnerships: Serving as the in-resident professional dance company of the Cleveland State University Department of Theatre and Dance, providing CSU students with engaged learning opportunities like open rehearsals, artist talks, and choreographic workshops.

Features / Highlights

GroundWorks DanceTheater’s highlights reflect its dual role as both a cutting-edge artistic entity and a dedicated community partner in Ohio:

• Visionary Founding Artistic Director: David Shimotakahara, a recipient of multiple Ohio Arts Council Fellowships and the Cleveland Arts Prize for Dance, leads the company with a bold vision for challenging preconceptions about dance.
• Dedication to New Work: The company maintains an exciting, ever-evolving repertoire, committing to premiering new commissions each year, thus ensuring that Northeast Ohio audiences are seeing relevant, fresh, and forward-thinking contemporary dance.
• Nationally Acclaimed Choreographic Collaborations: GroundWorks consistently works with high-caliber guest artists, including names like Dianne McIntyre, Sidra Bell, Peter Chu, and Antonio Brown (Artist in Residence), ensuring the dancers and the repertoire are world-class.
• Commitment to the Human Experience: The dance works are celebrated for their passion, intellect, and profound connection to human themes, making the art accessible and resonating deeply with diverse audiences, as one reviewer simply put, the experience is "Awesome."
• Engagement with Young Artists: The company’s artists are highly visible as both performers and teaching artists, actively mentoring the next generation of dancers through intensives and school residencies, investing directly in Ohio’s artistic future.
• Patron Convenience: The organization facilitates easy transactions by accepting Credit cards and Debit cards for ticket purchases, donations, and program fees.
• Family-Friendly Offerings: The organization is noted as "Good for kids," offering family-focused programs, such as Creative Movement for the Family, that encourage movement and artistic play for all ages.

Contact Information

To support, learn more about, or connect with Cleveland Heights’ acclaimed contemporary dance ensemble, use the following contact details:

• Address: P.O. Box 18107, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, USA
• Phone: (216) 751-0088
• Mobile Phone: +1 216-751-0088
• Interested patrons should check the company’s official website for the most up-to-date performance schedules and venue locations across Ohio.

What is Worth Choosing

GroundWorks DanceTheater is worth choosing for any Ohioan seeking a profound, world-class artistic experience that is rooted in and gives back to the local community. Choosing GroundWorks means directly supporting Northeast Ohio’s cultural landscape and a commitment to innovation in the performing arts. For those who believe art should be challenging, intellectual, and deeply moving, the company’s repertoire of commissioned new works offers an unparalleled opportunity to see the freshest contemporary choreography being created today.

Furthermore, supporting GroundWorks means supporting extensive and thoughtful community engagement. The company’s dedication to education—providing master classes, workshops, and school residencies—ensures that the art form is not confined to the stage but is an active tool for learning and enrichment in communities across the state. Whether you are a dedicated follower of contemporary dance or a family looking for engaging, cultural activities that are "Good for kids," GroundWorks delivers a consistently high-quality, memorable, and humanly resonant experience, solidifying its place as an indispensable cultural treasure in Cleveland Heights and all of Ohio.

GroundWorks DanceTheater

P.O. Box 18107, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, USA