[NEohioPAL]CCDT Black History Month performance at the Karamu House Feb 24-27
Ccontempdt at aol.com
Ccontempdt at aol.com
Tue Feb 1 10:00:56 PST 2005
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From: Ccontempdt at aol.com
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Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2005 12:57:24 EST
Subject: CCDT Black History Month performance at the Karamu House Feb 24-27
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=20
IMMEDIATE RELEASE=20
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, CCDT=20
Contact: Michael Medcalf, Executive/Artistic Director=20
216.791.9000 [Direct line]=20
216.791.9001 [Fax]=20
_Medcalf216 at aol.com_ (mailto:Medcalf216 at aol.com) [E-mail]=20
_____________________________________________________________=20
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre pulls out all the stops and =20
pays tribute, challenges and revives during =20
Black History Month performances at the Karamu House=20
February 24-27.=20
February 1, 2005=20
CLEVELAND, OHIO - Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (CCDT), Northeast Oh=
io
=E2=80=99s premiere Multicultural contemporary dance ensemble, celebrates B=
lack=20
History Month at the Karamu House February 24-27 with a show-stopping dance=
=20
tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, premieres a new work by arti=
stic=20
director Michael Medcalf that challenges the collective conscience of post=20
Civil Rights movement America and revives one of the Plain Dealer=E2=80=99s=
2004 =E2=80=9Cmost=20
memorable moments in dance.=E2=80=9D This Black History Month weekend of pe=
rformances=20
by the ensembles also marks its debut concert as the new dance company in=20
residence at the Karamu House. Performances are at 8pm Thursday =E2=80=93 =20=
Saturday and=20
at 3pm on Sunday.=20
Celebrated African-American, Chicago-based choreographer and Co-Artistic =20
Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Ensemble, Gary Abbott returns to CCDT with h=
is =20
sizzling tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin entitled Sweet Ree.=20=
=20
The dynamic suite of dances includes a female solo, a male and female duet,=
a=20
quintet for the male members and a rousing company finale set to a live=20
version of Franklin=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CRespect.=E2=80=9D Re-staged for CCD=
T, Abbott=E2=80=99s lush choreography=20
combined with the signature passionate dancing of the ensemble and the=20
dynamic vocals of the Queen of Soul is sure to have the audience dancing in=
the=20
aisles. Sweet Ree is a definite must see!=20
In true dance/theater form, Artistic Director Michael Medcalf challenges th=
e=20
collective social conscience of post Civil Rights Movement Americans in his=20=
=20
new work Long Story Short. =E2=80=9CThe work will challenge us all to re-ex=
amine if=20
we have collectively fallen short of living up to the hopes and dreams of=20
those who fought so hard during the movement. It brings back into focus w=
hat so=20
many people in the Civil Rights movement fought and died struggling for, an=
d=20
what so many of us today take for granted, our freedoms.=E2=80=9D states Me=
dcalf. =20
Throughout the work Medcalf will use snips of dialogue taken from speeches=20=
of=20
Malcolm X to from illuminate the work.=20
CCDT=E2=80=99s Black History Month dance program will also includes the revi=
val of=20
Young Park=E2=80=99s Eilene (2004). Described by the Plain Dealer as one of=20=
2004=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9C
most memorable moments in dance,=E2=80=9D Eilene poignantly and tenderly de=
picts the=20
devastating relationship of the Alzheimer=E2=80=99s disease, its victim and=20=
its=20
caregiver.=20
Immediately following each performance the artistic director and artists =20
will participate in a talkback session with the audience.=20
CCDT Ensemble members will include Kashanna Brown, Natasha Colon, associate=
=20
artistic director Desmond Davis, James Dixon, Tanya Gall, Cedric Hall, Dani=
el=20
Isaah Henderson, Sarah Olson, artistic associate Tracy Vogt, Venetia Whatle=
y=20
and executive/artistic director Michael Medcalf.=20
CCDT=E2=80=99s 2004-2005 season of performances, special events and programs=
are =20
made possible with the support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund=20=
=20
Foundation, The Ohio Arts Council, The Nord Family Foundation, The United Bl=
ack =20
Fund, The John P. Murphy Foundation, The Kulas Foundation, The Thomas H. Whi=
te =20
Foundation, a Keybank Trust, The Cleveland Browns Foundation, The Eva L. and=
=20
Joseph M. Bruening Foundation, The Plain Dealer, The Nordson Corporation =20
Foundation, The Karamu House, Playhouse Square Foundation, Cain Park/City of=
=20
Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Community College, Solon Center for the Arts, Yo=
ung =20
Audiences of Greater Cleveland, Professional Flair/Dancing Wheels, Nannette=20=
=20
Bedway Studios, Shaffer Designs, Individual Contributors and Member of CCDT=
=E2=80=99s =20
Board of Trustees.=20
________________________________________________________________________=20
Performance Location:=20
The Karamu House, Jelliffe Theater=20
2355 East 89th Street=20
Cleveland, Ohio 44106=20
Performance Dates: =20
February 24-27=20
Performance Times: =20
*Thursday, Friday and **Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm=20
*Pay what you can =20
** VIP Seating and Pre-Performance Reception/$25.00 (RSVP by 2/18/05)=20
General Admission Ticket Prices: =20
In advance=20
Adult 15=20
Children (12 and under) and Senior 10=20
At the door=20
Adult 18=20
Children (12 and under) and Senior 12=20
Call 216.791.9211 for reservations.=20
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre pulls out all the stops for premiere=20
Black History Month dance concert at the Karamu House. Come join the=20
celebration with CCDT February 24-27!=20
________________________________________________________________________=20
About Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre
CCDT is unique among Northeast Ohio dance companies in representing the=20
community. CCDT has assembled a multi-cultural company of dancers and has q=
uickly=20
gained recognition in the region as =E2=80=9Ca first-rate company rooted in=
the=20
tradition of black dance in America.=E2=80=9D The ensemble performs the wor=
k of Michael=20
Medcalf and other local/national choreographers. Much of the choreography=20
comments on social issues such as racism, sexual orientation, women=E2=80=
=99s issues,=20
domestic violence and health concerns.=20
1998=E2=80=94Michael Medcalf, a graduate of Cleveland School of the Arts, f=
ounds=20
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, the first professional dance company=20=
in=20
Northeast Ohio to celebrate the contributions of African-Americans and othe=
rs=20
from diverse communities to the art form of dance. =20
1998=E2=80=942003=E2=80=94CCDT includes the professional dance company (CCD=
T) and The=20
School of Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (SCCDT). The company perform=
s at=20
Cain Park, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cuyahoga Community College, MOCA=20
Cleveland, Solon Center for the Arts and The Dance Place in Washington, D.C=
.=20
Collaborations form with Dancing Wheels, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and S=
olon=20
Center. CCDT performs in schools through Young Audiences and develops outre=
ach=20
programs engaging young people with little access to the arts in opportunit=
ies to=20
study dance and perform. =20
2004=E2=80=94CCDT relocates to Karamu House, the country=E2=80=99s oldest A=
frican American=20
cultural center. The move increases its visibility within the African=20
American community and makes possible greater opportunities for collaborati=
on and=20
community outreach.=20
About Michael Medcalf =E2=80=93 Executive/Artistic Director
Michael Medcalf is a graduate of Cleveland School of the Arts with addition=
=20
training from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Alvin Aile=
y=20
American Dance Center. Mr. Medcalf has received numerous accolades and=20
recognition for his work as a dance educator, choreographer and performer i=
ncluding=20
induction into Cleveland School of the Arts Alumni Hall of Fame (2004),=20
induction into Kaleidoscope Magazine=E2=80=99s 40/40 Club (Class of 2002),=20=
the=20
prestigious Ohio Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship (2001) and Young=
Audiences=20
of Greater Cleveland=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CSunshine Award=E2=80=9D (2001). His=
professional dance=20
credits include work with numerous companies through out North America and=20=
with=20
some of the world=E2=80=99s most prominent choreographer such as Bill T. Jo=
nes,=20
Katherine Dunham, Cleo Parker Robinson, Talley Beatty and Ronald K. Brown.=20=
Mr.=20
Medcalf served on the Board of Directors of Young Audiences of Greater Clev=
eland.=20
Currently Medcalf serves on the Board of Directors of OhioDance, a statewid=
e=20
dance service organization and is also the rehearsal director for Cleveland=
=20
based Dancing Wheels.
About The Karamu House=20
In 1915, a pair of Oberlin graduates opened settlement house in an area of=20=
=20
Cleveland call "The Roaring Third, just at the corner of E. 38th and Central=
=20
Avenue. With foresight and vision, Russell and Rowena Woodham Jelliffe =20
established a place where people of different races, creeds and religions co=
uld =20
find a common ground, where common ventures are sought. The Jelliffes discov=
ered =20
in the early years, that the arts provided the perfect common ground, and th=
e=20
work of the Playhouse Settlement began. They held high standards of=20
excellence in the arts, a standard we strive to maintain, not for the sake=20=
of the =20
excellence, but because we know, as the Jelliffes did, that pursuing excelle=
nce =20
demands the promise of individual potential. =20
The early twenties saw a large number of African Americans move into an are=
a=20
from the south. Resisting some pressure to exclude their new neighbors, the=
=20
Jelliffes insisted that all races were welcome. What was then called the=20
Playhouse Settlement quickly became a magnet for some of the best African=20
American artists of the day. Dancers, print makers, actors, writers all fou=
nd a=20
place where they could practice their crafts.=20
Reflecting the strength of the Black influence on its development, the=20
Playhouse Settlement was officially renamed Karamu House in 1941. Karamu is=
=20
Swahili word meaning "a place of joyful gathering."=20
Throughout the years Karamu House has gone through many changes, some=20
profound. With the retirement of the Jelliffes in 1965, and the social shif=
ts of=20
the sixties and seventies, Karamu was predictably impacted in may ways:=20
diminished funds, increasing political and social urgency, and uncertain pu=
rpose.=20
But, people still poured into Karamu drawn by the energy of a new political=
and=20
cultural presence for African Americans.=20
Today, Karamu offers art experiences for people of all ages through a=20
variety of programs. The three primary program areas are the Early Childhoo=
d=20
Development Center, the Center of Arts and Education, and the Karamu Perfor=
ming=20
Arts Theatre. We have classes for children, an active seniors program and m=
uch,=20
much more. Through its many programs Karamu explores a broad range of the=20
African American experience and invites everyone to share in its treasures.=
=20
Across the country there are precious few cities with cultural resources=20
specifically dedicated to the African American experience. Still fewer have=
=20
institutions with the breadth of programming Karamu House offers. And, no c=
ity=20
but Cleveland has all this and an 80-year history of tending the fruitful=20
ground of African American cultural expression.=20
About Gary Abbott =E2=80=93 Guest choreographer
Born and raised in Atlanta, Gary Abbott began his career with Barbara=20
Sullivan=E2=80=99s Atlanta Dance Theatre. It is there that Gary developed h=
is an interest=20
in choreography. After contributing choreography to a project called =E2=
=80=9C
Choreocase=E2=80=9D, made possible by a grant from the city of Atlanta, he=
went on to=20
choreograph his first musical =E2=80=9CSweet Charity=E2=80=9D performed by t=
he Clark College=20
Players and later =E2=80=9CEl Hajj Malik=E2=80=9D performed by Jomandi Produ=
ctions. Since then=20
Mr. Abbott has choreographed many choreographic offerings for his company,=20
Deeply Rooted Productions of Chicago, as well as many companies around the=20=
US.=20
Mr. Abbott received a scholarship to attend California Institute of the=20
Arts, where he studied with the Crystine Lawson, Mia Slavenska, Nicolas Gun=
n and=20
others. He also danced with and choreographed for Los Angeles=E2=80=9D Lul=
a=20
Washington=E2=80=99s Dance Theatre.=20
Prior to moving to Chicago, Mr. Abbott spent 10 years with the Cleo Parker=20
Robinson Dance Ensemble in Denver, Co. There his choreography became an=20
active part of their repertoire. =20
Having a special place in his heart for children, Abbott had the privilege=20
through Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble to direct and choreograph a yea=
r=20
long project culminating in a work involving local students called =E2=80=
=9CHarambe=E2=80=9D=20
presented in Gillette, Wy. =20
Mr. Abbott has also contributed choreography for many productions from The=20
Denver Center. Among them, "Star Fever" and "Don Quixote". He has =20
choreographed =E2=80=9C Yerma=E2=80=9D for The Cleveland Playhouse, and serv=
ed as director and =20
choreographer for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble=E2=80=99s annual perfo=
rmance of =E2=80=9C
Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum=E2=80=9D. Mr. Abbott has also served as cho=
reographer=20
for Penumbra Theatre=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CBlack Nativity=E2=80=9D in Minneapo=
lis Minnesota. As a guest=20
choreographer for Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, Abbott=E2=80=99s hig=
hly=20
acclaimed =E2=80=9CDesire=E2=80=9D was premiered. He later become the com=
pany's Associate=20
Artistic Director. =20
Mr. Abbott=E2=80=98s company Deeply Rooted Productions, founded in 1995 and=
directed=20
by himself and his artistic partner Kevin Iega Jeff, embodies the African=20
American aesthetic. This aesthetic is born out traditional African culture=
,=20
evolved through contemporary African American experiences and influenced by=
the=20
broader American culture. He has created works for his own company as well=20
as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Clevela=
nd=20
Contemporary Dance Theatre, David Taylor Dance Theatre and others throughou=
t=20
the nation. =20
Mr. Abbott is also a teacher who has been privileged to learn from and be a=
=20
part of the processes of many wonderful teachers. Kevin Iega Jeff, Cleo=20
Parker Robinson, Donald McKayle, Katherine Dunham, Eleo Pomare, Talley Beat=
ty and=20
many others. He values collaboration in the choreographic process and in=20
teaching, believing that there is an exchange of knowledge between student=20=
and=20
teacher that=E2=80=99s absolutely crucial and benefits all parties involved=
. He=20
continues to learn and pass that knowledge to those who share a like desire=
. =20
Mr. Abbott was a nominee for the 97/98 Alpert Award and the 2000 Black=20
Theatre Alliance Award for Best Dance for his work =E2=80=9CJust=E2=80=A6Mis=
s Sadie=E2=80=9D, again in=20
2001 for his newest work =E2=80=9CMOVE!=E2=80=9D and in 2002 won the award f=
or "MOVE".
=20
=20
=20
########
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<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUTF-8">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2900.2523" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY id=3Drole_body style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY:=20=
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face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=
=3Dleft><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=3D5><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond>IMMEDIAT=
E=20
RELEASE<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=
=3Dleft><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond>Clevel=
and=20
Contemporary Dance Theatre, CCDT<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=
=3Dleft><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond>Contac=
t:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> <=
/SPAN>Michael=20
Medcalf, Executive/Artistic Director<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=
=3Dleft><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>216.791.9000 [Direct line]<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=
=3Dleft><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>216.791.9001 [Fax]<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align=
=3Dleft><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN></FONT></STRONG><A href=3D"mailto:Medcalf216 at aol.com"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond>Medcalf216 at aol.com</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></A><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond> [E-mail]</FONT></STRONG></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: blac=
k"><FONT=20
size=3D5><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond>____________________________________________________________=
_<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: blac=
k"><FONT=20
size=3D5><STRONG><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond> <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: blac=
k"><FONT=20
size=3D5><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond>Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre=20=
pulls=20
out all the stops and <o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D5><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: black"><STRONG>pays</STRONG></SPAN><SP=
AN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><STRONG>tribute, challenges and revives during=20
<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: blac=
k"><FONT=20
size=3D5><STRONG><FONT face=3DGaramond>Black History Month performances at t=
he=20
Karamu House<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><STRONG><FONT size=3D5><FONT face=3DGaramond>February=
=20
24-27.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font=
-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><STRONG> <o:p></o:p></STRON=
G></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>February 1, 2005<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3DGaramond>CLEVELAND, OHIO=20=
-=20
Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (CCDT), Northeast Ohio=E2=80=99s premie=
re=20
Multicultural contemporary dance ensemble, celebrates Black History Month at=
the=20
Karamu House February 24-27 with a show-stopping dance tribute to the Queen=20=
of=20
Soul, Aretha Franklin, premieres a new work by artistic director Michael Med=
calf=20
that challenges the collective conscience of post Civil Rights movement Amer=
ica=20
and revives one of the Plain Dealer=E2=80=99s 2004 =E2=80=9Cmost memorable m=
oments in dance.=E2=80=9D=20
This Black History Month weekend of performances by the ensembles also marks=
its=20
debut concert as the new dance company in residence at the Karamu House.<SPA=
N=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Performances are at 8pm Thursday=20=
=E2=80=93=20
Saturday and at 3pm on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Celebrated African-American, Chicago-based choreographer and Co-Art=
istic=20
Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Ensemble, Gary Abbott returns to CCDT with h=
is=20
sizzling tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin entitled <I>Sweet=20
Ree</I>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The dynamic suite of=
=20
dances includes a female solo, a male and female duet, a quintet for the mal=
e=20
members and a rousing company finale set to a live version of Franklin=E2=
=80=99s=20
=E2=80=9CRespect.=E2=80=9D<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Re=
-staged for CCDT,=20
Abbott=E2=80=99s lush choreography combined with the signature passionate da=
ncing of the=20
ensemble and the dynamic vocals of the Queen of Soul is sure to have the=20
audience dancing in the aisles.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><I>Sweet Ree</I> is a definite must see!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>In true dance/theater form, Artistic Director Michael Medcalf chall=
enges=20
the collective social conscience of post Civil Rights Movement Americans in=20=
his=20
new work <I>Long Story Short</I>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>=E2=80=9CThe work will challenge us all to re-examine if we have coll=
ectively=20
fallen short of living up to the hopes and dreams of those who fought so har=
d=20
during the movement.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It bring=
s back=20
into focus what so many people in the Civil Rights movement fought and died=20
struggling for, and what so many of us today take for granted, our freedoms.=
=E2=80=9D=20
states Medcalf.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Throughout th=
e work=20
Medcalf will use snips of dialogue taken from speeches of Malcolm X to from=20
illuminate the work.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>CCDT=E2=80=99s Black History Month dance program will also includes=
the revival=20
of Young Park=E2=80=99s <I>Eilene (2004)</I>. Described by the Plain Dealer=20=
as one of=20
2004=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cmost memorable moments in dance,=E2=80=9D <I>Eilene<=
/I> poignantly and tenderly=20
depicts the devastating relationship of the Alzheimer=E2=80=99s disease, its=
victim and=20
its caregiver.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Immediately following each performance the artistic director and ar=
tists=20
will participate in a talkback session with the=20
audience.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3DGaramond>CCDT Ensemble me=
mbers will=20
include Kashanna Brown, Natasha Colon, associate artistic director Desmond=20
Davis, James Dixon, Tanya Gall, Cedric Hall, Daniel Isaah Henderson, Sarah=20
Olson, artistic associate Tracy Vogt, Venetia Whatley and executive/artistic=
=20
director Michael Medcalf.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>CCDT=E2=80=99s 2004-2005 season of performances, special events and=
programs are=20
made possible with the support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund=20
Foundation, The Ohio Arts Council, The Nord Family Foundation, The United Bl=
ack=20
Fund, The John P. Murphy Foundation, The Kulas Foundation, The Thomas H. Whi=
te=20
Foundation, a Keybank Trust, The Cleveland Browns Foundation, The Eva L. and=
=20
Joseph M. Bruening Foundation, The Plain Dealer, The Nordson Corporation=20
Foundation, The Karamu House, Playhouse Square Foundation, Cain Park/City of=
=20
Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Community College, Solon Center for the Arts, Yo=
ung=20
Audiences of Greater Cleveland, Professional Flair/Dancing Wheels, Nannette=20
Bedway Studios, Shaffer Designs, Individual Contributors and Member of CCDT=
=E2=80=99s=20
Board of Trustees.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>___________________________________________________________________=
_____<B><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Performance Location:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>The Karamu House, Jelliffe Theater<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>2355 East 89<SUP>th</SUP> Street<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Cleveland, Ohio 44106<B><o:p></o:p></B></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Performance Dates:<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1">=20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>February 24-27<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Performance Times:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>*Thursday, Friday and **Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at=20
3pm<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in -45pt 0pt 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify=
"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>*Pay what you can <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in -45pt 0pt 0in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify=
"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>** VIP Seating and Pre-Performance Reception/$25.00 (RSVP by=20
2/18/05)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>General Admission Ticket Prices:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>In advance<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>Adult<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 2"> &=
nbsp;  =
; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>15<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>Children (12 and under) and Senior<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1">&n=
bsp;=20
</SPAN>10<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>At the door<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>Adult<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 2"> &=
nbsp;  =
; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>18<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN>Children (12 and under) and Senior<SPAN style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1">&n=
bsp;=20
</SPAN>12<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Call 216.791.9211 for reservations.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre pulls out all the stops for=20
premiere<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>Black History Month dance concert at the Karamu House.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Come join the celebration with CCD=
T=20
February 24-27!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3>___________________________________________________________________=
_____<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=
=3D3><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=
=3D3><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond>About Cleveland Contemporary Dance=20
Theatre<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>CCDT is unique=20=
among=20
Northeast Ohio dance companies in representing the community. CCDT has assem=
bled=20
a multi-cultural company of dancers and has quickly gained recognition in th=
e=20
region as =E2=80=9Ca first-rate company rooted in the tradition of black dan=
ce in=20
America.=E2=80=9D The ensemble performs the work of Michael Medcalf and othe=
r=20
local/national choreographers. Much of the choreography comments on social=20
issues such as racism, sexual orientation, women=E2=80=99s issues, domestic=20=
violence and=20
health concerns.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FON=
T=20
size=3D3><B><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">1998=E2=80=94</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">Michael Medcalf, a graduate of=
=20
Cleveland School of the Arts, founds Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, t=
he=20
first professional dance company in Northeast Ohio to celebrate the=20
contributions of African-Americans and others from diverse communities to th=
e=20
art form of dance. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FON=
T=20
size=3D3><B><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">1998=E2=80=942003</SPAN></B><S=
PAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">=E2=80=94CCDT includes the pro=
fessional=20
dance company (CCDT) and The School of Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre=20
(SCCDT). The company performs at Cain Park, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cuyaho=
ga=20
Community College, MOCA Cleveland, Solon Center for the Arts and The Dance P=
lace=20
in Washington, D.C. Collaborations form with Dancing Wheels, the Cleveland J=
azz=20
Orchestra and Solon Center. CCDT performs in schools through Young Audiences=
and=20
develops outreach programs engaging young people with little access to the a=
rts=20
in opportunities to study dance and perform. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FON=
T=20
size=3D3><B><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">2004</SPAN><=
/B><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">=E2=80=94CCDT relocates to Kar=
amu House, the=20
country=E2=80=99s oldest African American cultural center. The move increase=
s its=20
visibility within the African American community and makes possible greater=20
opportunities for collaboration and community=20
outreach.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: black"><FONT face=3DGaramond>About Michael=20=
Medcalf=20
=E2=80=93 Executive/Artistic Director<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FON=
T=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3DGaramond>Michael Medcalf is a graduate of Cleveland Sc=
hool of=20
the Arts with addition training from the University of the Arts in Philadelp=
hia=20
and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">=
=20
</SPAN>Mr. Medcalf has received numerous accolades and recognition for his w=
ork=20
as a dance educator, choreographer and performer including induction into=20
Cleveland School of the Arts Alumni Hall of Fame (2004), induction into=20
Kaleidoscope Magazine=E2=80=99s 40/40 Club (Class of 2002), the prestigious=20=
Ohio Arts=20
Council Individual Artist Fellowship (2001) and Young Audiences of Greater=20
Cleveland=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CSunshine Award=E2=80=9D (2001). His professiona=
l dance credits include work=20
with numerous companies through out North America and with some of the world=
=E2=80=99s=20
most prominent choreographer such as Bill T. Jones, Katherine Dunham, Cleo=20
Parker Robinson, Talley Beatty and Ronald K. Brown. Mr. Medcalf served on th=
e=20
Board of Directors of Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland. Currently Medcal=
f=20
serves on the Board of Directors of OhioDance, a statewide dance service=20
organization and is also the rehearsal director for Cleveland based Dancing=20
Wheels.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<H3 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=
=3D5><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond>About The Karamu House <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></H3>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">I=
n=20
1915, a pair of Oberlin graduates opened settlement house in an area of=20
Cleveland call "The Roaring Third, just at the corner of E. 38th and Central=
=20
Avenue. With foresight and vision, Russell and Rowena Woodham Jelliffe=20
established a place where people of different races, creeds and religions co=
uld=20
find a common ground, where common ventures are sought. The Jelliffes discov=
ered=20
in the early years, that the arts provided the perfect common ground, and th=
e=20
work of the Playhouse Settlement began. They held high standards of excellen=
ce=20
in the arts, a standard we strive to maintain, not for the sake of the=20
excellence, but because we know, as the Jelliffes did, that pursuing excelle=
nce=20
demands the promise of individual potential. </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso=
-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">T=
he=20
early twenties saw a large number of African Americans move into an area fro=
m=20
the south. Resisting some pressure to exclude their new neighbors, the Jelli=
ffes=20
insisted that all races were welcome. What was then called the Playhouse=20
Settlement quickly became a magnet for some of the best African American art=
ists=20
of the day. Dancers, print makers, actors, writers all found a place where t=
hey=20
could practice their crafts.</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso=
-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">R=
eflecting=20
the strength of the Black influence on its development, the Playhouse Settle=
ment=20
was officially renamed Karamu House in 1941. Karamu is Swahili word meaning=20=
"a=20
place of joyful gathering."</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso=
-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">T=
hroughout=20
the years Karamu House has gone through many changes, some profound. With th=
e=20
retirement of the Jelliffes in 1965, and the social shifts of the sixties an=
d=20
seventies, Karamu was predictably impacted in may ways: diminished funds,=20
increasing political and social urgency, and uncertain purpose. But, people=20
still poured into Karamu drawn by the energy of a new political and cultural=
=20
presence for African Americans.</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso=
-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">T=
oday,=20
Karamu offers art experiences for people of all ages through a variety of=20
programs. The three primary program areas are the Early Childhood Developmen=
t=20
Center, the Center of Arts and Education, and the Karamu Performing Arts=20
Theatre. We have classes for children, an active seniors program and much, m=
uch=20
more. Through its many programs Karamu explores a broad range of the African=
=20
American experience and invites everyone to share in its treasures.</SPAN><S=
PAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso=
-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Across the country t=
here are=20
precious few cities with cultural resources specifically dedicated to the=20
African American experience. Still fewer have institutions with the breadth=20=
of=20
programming Karamu House offers. And, no city but Cleveland has all this and=
an=20
80-year history of tending the fruitful ground of African American cultural=20
expression.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<H2 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT face=3DGaramond>=
About=20
Gary Abbott =E2=80=93 Guest choreographer<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></H2>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Born and raised in Atlanta, G=
ary=20
Abbott began his career with Barbara Sullivan=E2=80=99s Atlanta Dance Theatr=
e.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is there that Gary developed hi=
s an=20
interest in choreography.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Aft=
er=20
contributing choreography to a project called =E2=80=9CChoreocase=E2=80=9D,=20=
made possible by a=20
grant from the city of Atlanta,<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SP=
AN>he=20
went on to choreograph his first musical =E2=80=9CSweet Charity=E2=80=9D per=
formed by the Clark=20
College Players and later =E2=80=9CEl Hajj Malik=E2=80=9D performed by Joman=
di Productions.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Since then Mr. Abbott has choreogr=
aphed=20
many choreographic offerings for his company, Deeply Rooted Productions of=20
Chicago, as well as many companies around the US.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></=
P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPA=
N></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Mr. Abbott received a scholar=
ship to=20
attend California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with the Crystine=20
Lawson, Mia Slavenska, Nicolas Gunn and others.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He also danced with and choreograp=
hed=20
for Los Angeles=E2=80=9D Lula Washington=E2=80=99s Dance Theatre.<o:p></o:p>=
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPA=
N></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Prior to moving to Chicago, M=
r.=20
Abbott spent 10 years with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in Denver=
,=20
Co.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There his choreography be=
came=20
an active part of their repertoire. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPA=
N></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Having a special place in his=
heart=20
for children, Abbott had the privilege through Cleo Parker Robinson Dance=20
Ensemble to direct and choreograph a year long project culminating in a work=
=20
involving local students called<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>=E2=80=9CHarambe=E2=80=9D presented in Gillette, Wy. <o:p></o:p></FON=
T></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPA=
N></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Mr. Abbott has also contribut=
ed=20
choreography for many productions from The Denver Center.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Among them, "Star Fever" and "Don=20
Quixote".<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He has=20
choreographed =E2=80=9C Yerma=E2=80=9D for The Cleveland Playhouse, and serv=
ed as director and=20
choreographer for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble=E2=80=99s annual perfo=
rmance of=20
=E2=80=9CGranny Dances to a Holiday Drum=E2=80=9D.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spaceru=
n: yes"> =20
</SPAN>Mr. Abbott has also served as choreographer for Penumbra Theatre=E2=
=80=99s =E2=80=9CBlack=20
Nativity=E2=80=9D in Minneapolis Minnesota. As a guest choreographer for Jos=
eph Holmes=20
Chicago Dance Theatre, Abbott=E2=80=99s highly acclaimed =E2=80=9C<I>Desire=
=E2=80=9D</I> was=20
premiered.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He later become th=
e=20
company's<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Associate Artistic=20
Director. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPA=
N></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3>Mr. Abbott=E2=80=98s company=20=
Deeply Rooted=20
Productions, founded in 1995 and directed by himself and his artistic partne=
r=20
Kevin Iega Jeff, embodies the African American aesthetic.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This aesthetic is born out traditi=
onal=20
African culture, evolved through contemporary African American experiences a=
nd=20
influenced by the broader American culture. He has created works for his own=
=20
company as well as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance=20
Theatre, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, David Taylor Dance Theatre an=
d=20
others throughout the nation. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: none; mso=
-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPA=
N></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: n=
one"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond>Mr. Abbott is also a teacher who has been privileged to lear=
n from=20
and be a part of the processes of many wonderful teachers.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Kevin Iega Jeff, Cleo Parker Robin=
son,=20
Donald McKayle, Katherine Dunham, Eleo Pomare, Talley Beatty and many=20
others.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He values collaborati=
on in=20
the choreographic process and in teaching, believing that there is an exchan=
ge=20
of knowledge between student and teacher that=E2=80=99s absolutely crucial a=
nd benefits=20
all parties involved.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He cont=
inues=20
to learn and pass that knowledge to those who share a like desire.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: n=
one"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3DGaramond>Mr. Abbott was a nominee for the 97/98 Alpert Award and the=20=
2000=20
Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Dance for his work =E2=80=9CJust=E2=
=80=A6Miss Sadie=E2=80=9D,=20
again in 2001 for his newest work =E2=80=9CMOVE!=E2=80=9D and in 2002 won th=
e award for=20
"MOVE".<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P><PRE style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: justify=
"><SPAN class=3Dwhitetext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FON=
T-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPA=
N></PRE><PRE style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN class=3Dwhitetext1><SPAN st=
yle=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-s=
ize: 9.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></PRE><PRE style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: j=
ustify"><SPAN class=3Dwhitetext1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blac=
k; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN=
></SPAN></PRE><PRE style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center"><SPAN class=3Dwhitetext1><SP=
AN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-f=
ont-size: 9.0pt">########<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></PRE>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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N=20
style=3D"COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><=
FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>
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