History
"...inspired by the awe of the created world and driven by the task to fill it with excellence!"
Neos Dance Theatre is reflecting the momentum of dance in our culture today. We are diverse individuals sharing in a common goal of creating atmospheric, theatrical energy on the stage and in the studio that communicate our lives, our social responsibilities, and our call to work. Neos has committed its repertoire to eclecticism finding an expression of the self, and the world surrounding ones self, made more whole through the diversity of movement and style. Robert Wesner, Artistic Director, choreographs most of the repertoire, in collaboration with the dancers of Neos Dance Theatre.
The dancers of Neos Dance Theatre have performed all over the United States and abroad. Their resumes' include works by George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, Dwight Rhoden, Paul Taylor, Kurt Josse, Michael Smuin, David Parsons, Kevin O'Day, Moses Pendelton, Gus Giordano, Pilobolous, Michael Uhtoff, Eugene Loring, Ib Anderson, and many more. Their training is extensive and eclectic including Milwaukee Ballet, the School of Cleveland Ballet, School of Ballet Arizona, Chautauqua Summer Festival, Point Park, Kent State University, Ballet Magnificat!, and more.
Neos Dance Theatre has collaborated for over a decade with maestro Robert Moody for various Symphony Orchestras. Other Symphonic collaborations include Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Winston Salem Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Pops, Ashland Symphony Orchestra, and more. Neos performed an evening length performance of art and dance, White River Crossing, with sculptor/designer Aaron Rapljenovic. Currently Neos is working with the famed Grammy award winning singer Sylvia McNair at Ashland University with Ashland Regional Ballet. We have performed in association with Ashland Regional Ballet and at benefits for the Cleveland Public Theatre as well as a part of their 2005 Dance Works series.
A portion of Neos Dance Theatre is dedicated to "traditional" outreach. Programs that are based upon lecture and performance educate both children and civic organizations. Annual residencies at Ontario Stingel Elementary and Belhaven College are guided by the philosophy that performance based training in the classroom will lead to a better understanding of performing onstage and in life. Neos Dance Theatre is very versatile and will find ways to perform in many unusual spaces and venues.
