VERB BALLETS PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jen Garlando - Community Engagement - Verb Ballets - jgarlando@verbballets.org<mailto:jgarlando@verbballets.org> Verb Ballets' Director to attend reception with British Ambassador to the United States Dr. Carlson to represent Verb Ballets to members of the North American development boards CLEVELAND, OH- Verb Ballets' Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson, is attending the Vice-Chancellor's Reception with Sir Kim Darroch, British Ambassador to the United States, in Washington DC on December 7, 2016. Carlson received her doctorate from Durham University in the United Kingdom. In 2016 Durham University is celebrating a major milestone the 150th anniversary of the establishing of the first Durham University alumni society in London, which formed in 1866. It is with tremendous honor that Carlson will be representing Verb Ballets as an alumni at this event. Durham alumni were invited to a special evening reception to be held in the private residence of the British Ambassador to the United States of America. The evening will be hosted by the Ambassador and fellow Durham alumnus, His Excellency Sir Kim Darroch (Zoology, Hatfield, 1975) and by Lady Vanessa Darroch (Education, Hild Bede, 1975). The evening will be a unique opportunity for Carlson to meet with fellow alumni and friends of the University from across the US, including leading members of the North American development boards. Dr. Margaret Carlson, Verb Ballets' Producing Artistic Director Dr. Margaret Carlson has worked internationally in performing, teaching, choreographing, and in arts administration. Dr. Carlson was an original member of the Cleveland Ballet, serving as a Principal dancer from 1972-1983. Also a member of Actors Equity, she performed in numerous musical theatre tours throughout the 1970’s, including Sweet Charity, Ballroom, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brigadoon, Mame, Hello Dolly! and The Merry Widow. For many years, she choreographed for the Cleveland Opera. Dr. Carlson served as Director of the School of Dance at the University of Akron from 1985-1993. In 1993, she became Dean of the School of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, until she returned to Cleveland in 1999. She then served as the Development and Education Director for the Cleveland San Jose Ballet. She consulted both nationally and locally through her company, Carlson Consulting Group, Inc., with groups that have included The American Dance Guild, Chinese Performing Artists of America, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Ohio Ballet, Dancing Wheels, Ohio Youth Ballet, Ohio Conservatory of Dance, Tom and Susana Evert Dance Theatre, and White Cloud Studios. Dr. Carlson founded the American Alliance of Dance Artists and served as its first President. She has served as a Board member and officer for Kids on Broadway, DANCECleveland, the Cleveland Ballet Council, the American Dance Guild, the Council of Dance Administrators, the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Dance Company and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund. She served as the secretary of the International Organization for Transition for Professional Dancers, a sub-committee of UNESCO, based in Switzerland from 1998-2006, and was a Board member of the American Dance Guild in NYC for 20 years and served as its Treasurer and vice-president for 10 years. Dr. Carlson currently serves on the board of trustees of Fairmount Center for the Arts, Cleveland Dance Movement and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. She is known for her work as the regisseur for the works of Ian (Ernie) Horvath and has been working with Ballet Tucson on the restaging of Horvath’s work, Laura’s Women. She received her doctorate from Durham University in the United Kingdom. About Verb Ballets: Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates a broad audience. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets as, “Dashes preconceptions ...with keen dramatic power.” -The Plain Dealer, "(Verb) is dance magnifique.” - The Examiner, “confident and polished, Verb's dancers shone” - Dance International Magazine. Verb Ballets cultivates dance appreciation and nurtures wellness through movement in community dance classes, school residencies, senior outreach, library programs, master classes and college course partnerships. Verb Ballets has also been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch. Additional information can be found at www.verbballets.org. Website: www.verbballets.org<http://www.verbballets.org/> Facebook: @verbballets<http://www.facebook.com/verbballets> Twitter: @verbballets<http://www.twitter.com/verbballets> Instagram: @verbballets<http://www.instagram.com/verbballets> ###