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<div align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Richard Dickinson promoted to Associate Artistic Director of Verb Ballets
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Former Ohio Ballet dancer to support high quality level production of Verb Ballets</span></i></div>
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<div>CLEVELAND, OH (July 10, 2018) - Verb Ballets announces the promotion of Richard Dickinson, MFA to Associate Artistic Director. Dickinson has been with the company for over eight years in different capacities. In addition to his professional work, Dickinson
had an extensive dance career including principal and soloist roles at Ohio Ballet, Boston Ballet, Chicago Ballet, Honolulu City Ballet and various regional companies. Previously, he served as Artistic Associate for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Artistic
Director of Ballet Western Reserve, Great Lakes Festival Ballet, Chamber Dance Theatre. He has also directed Boston Ballet II and has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University.
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In the new role he will assist Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, in maintaining the highest possible presentation for the company and be a key part in the development of the community class program. “Richard's contribution to Verb Ballets has
been valuable for many years, dating back to his initial role as Rehearsal Director” says Carlson. “During my tenure at Verb Ballets, he has been a key to developing the company dancers to support a high-quality level of production for the company. I am honored
to announce Richard’s promotion to the role of Associate Artistic Director and for Verb Ballets to continue to provide him with an artistic home.”
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"I’m honored to work with Verb Ballets who I consider unparalleled in commitment to dance in Northeast Ohio and beyond,” Dickinson commented. “We’re in the middle of a growth opportunity to promote ballet to the next generation in the region. I’m grateful to
be a part of a company that carries on the legacy of ballet in our community while fostering the development of the art form. I feel lucky to be a part of Verb Ballets, in the company of so many memorable dancers, audience members and colleagues.”
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<div align="center"><i>Photos or interviews available upon request by contacting
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<i>Jen Garlando at jgarlando@verbballets.org </i><br>
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<span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:10pt">Jen Garlando</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:10pt">Director of </span><span style="font-size:10pt">Marketing & PR</span><span style="font-size:10pt">, </span><span style="font-size:10pt">Verb Ballets</span></p>
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