Tag: Ashtabula Arts Center

Ryan Rosinski is back with more hip hop!

Ryan Rosinski is back at the Arts Center with a Hip Hop Master Class for ages 7-adult on Saturday, February 29 from 1-2 p.m. $15 per student. All experience levels welcome! Don’t worry if you’ve never danced before —newbies are welcome! This is a fun, high- energy class open to anyone who wants to get on their feet to some great music and have fun. Professional Hip Hop dancer Ryan Rosinski was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance, and now teaches adults and children throughout Ohio. His dance instruction was recognized by Cleveland Magazine’s Best of the East awards in 2017 & 2018. He has given live performances at Playhouse Square, Goodyear Theater, and The Agora Theater, among others.

“Forms in Nature” Photography Show

Below are the artists and pieces accepted into “Forms in Nature,” on display in our gallery throughout February.

Carol Leikala

1. Eye Spy
2. Faded Glory
3. In the Still of the Morning
4. Orchid Promise
5. Time after Time

David Yates

1. Sharp
2. Ready To Dance
3. No Rush
4. Abstract Shapes
5. Luminous

Nanette Patrick

1. Eastern Amberwing
2. Glossy Ibis
3. Frozen Lake Erie
4. Waiting for Mom
5. Pondering

Jamie Goldstein

1. Lily Pad
2. Lake Erie at Gordon Park
3. Pollinator

Melanie Lyttle

1. Rainy Spring
2. Berry Landing Location
3. Sunny Sitting Spot
4. Close Up Stop
5. Fly Landing Pad

Rich McBride

1. Dipped in Diamonds
2. Lake Erie Volcano
3. Help I Lost My Swimming Trunk
4. Buzz Saw Snowflake

Richard Bailey

1. Snow Leopard
2. Pacific Coast I
3. Purple Orchids
4. Red Leaf
5. Tiger Lily

Laura McNally Levine

1. Waiting for Dinner
2. Rose
3. Owl
4. Stone Arch
5. Cactus

Arin Altmare

1. Crazies
2. Fallen Redwood
3. Maroon Bells

Dwight Boyer

1. Christmas Sunset 2019
2. Male Cardinal
3. River Crossing
4. Snowy Owl
5. Red Fox

Lisa Burroughs

1. Red and Black Series

Harry Schwentker

1. Mt Fuji

Get half-price tickets to The Sound of Music when you donate children’s books for United Way

You can get half-price tickets to the performance of The Sound of Music on Sunday, February 9, when you donate children’s books for United Way of Ashtabula. Drop off books and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk.

Now taking appointments for Straw Hat Theatre auditions!

We are now taking appointments for Straw Hat Theatre auditions! Call (440) 964-3396 to schedule. (Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged.)
Auditions will be held Sat., Mar. 21, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., and Sun., Mar. 22 from 6-8 p.m. Auditions for all three shows will be held on these dates.

Please come prepared with 32 bars of a song from the musical theater genre. There will be an accompanist present. Sheet music is preferred, but not required. If you are bringing pre-recorded accompaniment, it must be instrumental only — no vocals. Straw Hat auditions are open to the public. Anyone, regardless of experience level, is welcome to audition. We are also always in need of volunteers to work backstage.

Tuck Everlasting
Performance Dates: June 12-14, 19-21, 26-27
Book by Claudia Shear & Tim Federle
Music By Chris Miller
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Based on the novel “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt
Presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatrical Company
What would you do if you had all eternity? Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure, but gets more than she could have imagined when she meets the Tucks, a family that has become immortal. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck family’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

Announcing Straw Hat 2020!

We are excited to announce our show lineup for the 2020 season of Straw Hat Theatre! Auditions for all three shows will be held Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Sunday, March 22, 6-8 p.m. Appointments are encouraged; drop-ins welcome. We will begin scheduling appointments in the new year.

TUCK EVERLASTING
June 12-14, 19-21, 26-27
Book by Claudia Shear & Tim Federle
Music By Chris Miller
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Based on the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatrical Company
What would you do if you had all eternity? Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure, but gets more than she could have imagined when she meets the Tucks, a family that has become immortal. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck family’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

Get half-price tickets to The Nutcracker with donations for Faith Food Pantry

You can get half-price tickets to the Dec. 19th performance of The Nutcracker when you donate items for Faith Food Pantry. In addition to non-perishable food items, they have a particular need for shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, body soap, dish soap, and laundry soap, as well as any other basic personal hygiene items. Please check expiration dates on food — expired items will not be accepted. Drop off items and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk.

Get half-price tickets to “Forbidden Broadway” when you donate items for Sub Zero Mission

Get half-price tickets to the January 11th performance of Forbidden Broadway when you donate items to Sub Zero Mission, providing the homeless in Northeast Ohio with lifesaving winter gear. Drop off donations and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk.

“Stay Alive Five” Needed Items:
Hats (winter)
Coats (adult sizes L – 4xl)
Gloves
Boots (Men’s Size 9 – 13)
Sleeping bags

Rennick Meat Market is supporting Ballet Theatre Ashtabula dancers this season

Rennick Meat Market is helping young artists in our community this month. From November 1 through December 6, Rennick will donate 10% of their lunch sales, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., to Ballet Theatre Ashtabula School of Dance. Based at the Ashtabula Arts Center, BTA School of Dance has been teaching young people for over fifty years, and making The Nutcracker a community tradition for thirty-eight years. BTA offers classes for recreational students, dancing for fun and fitness, as well as for pre-professional students, providing foundational ballet training to those working towards a career in dance.

Alex Asteinza, co-owner of Rennick Meat Market, has been a staunch supporter of Ballet Theatre Ashtabula, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ashtabula Arts Center. “Coming from New York and the arts culture there, I think it’s great to have this resource here. We had Lincoln Center right there, and then you come to Ashtabula and see these dancers working with professionally-trained teachers, in a studio with the same floor as Lincoln, putting on full productions – it’s a great asset for the community. I’m happy to be able to support what they’re doing.”

“BTA alumni have gone on to professional careers as performers, choreographers, teachers, and founders of dance companies and schools throughout the country,” notes Clover Robinson, director of BTA. “Just to name a few, we’ve had Katherine Horrigan, who is the co-founder of Company Danzante and the director of dance at Adagio Ballet School of Dance in Arlington, Virginia. We’ve had Tim Kolman, who’s currently dancing professionally with Ballet Tucson. Cara Seymour is a Juilliard grad dancing in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera. Rebekka Ryan, who just last Christmas was dancing in The Nutcracker at the Arts Center, is now at Marymount Manhattan College.” Robinson herself started dancing with BTA when she was three years old, coming up through the program and going on to obtain a BFA in Dance from Wright State University. She toured internationally with Hubbard Street 2, and was a faculty member with Lou Conte Dance Studio and Dayton Ballet School, before coming back to her hometown and the dance school she started in as a child. “This was my second home growing up. I wanted dance to continue to be a part of my life after I retired professionally, and I wanted to be closer to my family. Teaching at the Arts Center, and then becoming the artistic director after Shelagh Dubsky retired, let me do that. This dance program has continued to grow, and that’s been personally and professionally important to me. I firmly believe that dance is for everyone. It’s an outlet for self-expression, and we all need that in our lives. If you want dance to be your career, we can provide you the training to make that possible, as well as a network of alumni to connect with. This summer we had Lonnie Davis Jr in as a guest instructor and choreographer in modern and contemporary dance. Lonnie and I danced together professionally, and it was wonderful to be able to give our kids and other dancers in the area the opportunity to work with him. If you just love music and dancing, and you want to do it purely for fun, you’re welcome here, as well – you don’t have to have professional plans to dance with us. Whatever a student’s reasons for dancing with BTA, they will get high-quality classes and performance opportunities. We invest in our students’ growth. We want them to discover their own unique potential.”

One of those performance opportunities is The Nutcracker, which BTA presents every December for three weekends.  Rennick’s Dining for Dance event will culminate on December 6, the same day this year’s production of The Nutcracker opens. “It’s wonderful to have this tradition that brings our community together every Christmas. We have multiple generations of families who come see it year it after year. It’s such a special thing to be part of. And as an educator, being able to offer students this kind of performance opportunity, whether it’s The Nutcracker or our Spring Dance Concert, is invaluable. Every dancer is learning customized choreography that is adapted to challenge their particular abilities and showcase their strengths. It’s a tremendous experience for a young performer. I’m so grateful to Rennick for helping BTA serve our students.”

Rennick Meat Market is located at 1104 Bridge Street in Ashtabula. Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s production of The Nutcracker will run December 6-8, 13-15, and 19-22; get tickets here. BTA’s dance classes will resume in January; call (440) 964-3396 for registration information.

Get half-price tickets to “Doctor Dolittle Jr” when you donate to the Humane Society

You can help animals in Ashtabula County when you see Doctor Dolittle Jr in November! With each item you donate for the Ashtabula County Humane Society, you can get half off the price of a ticket to the 2 p.m. matinee of Doctor Dolittle Jr on Saturday, November 16. Drop off items and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk.
Needed Items:
Purina wet or dry dog food
Purina wet or dry cat food
dog & cat treats
dog & cat toys
rabbit food
scoopable kitty litter
pet beds
paper towels
Dawn dish soap
latex gloves

Looking for a furry new family member? Check out the Ashtabula County Humane Society’s adoptable pets here.

Dinner and a Show tickets available for Mamma Mia! with Rennick Meat Market

We have a delicious extra option for those of you coming to see “Mamma Mia!”: Dinner and a Show with Rennick Meat Market. Dine at Rennick on Bridge Street and see “Mamma Mia!” at the Arts Center. Seating at Rennick is at 5 p.m. before evening performances on Friday & Saturday, and after matinees on Sunday.

PLEASE NOTE: the only date Dinner and a Show is not available is Saturday, October 12, as Rennick is booked for a special event that evening.

Call the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396 to make both your theater and dinner reservations. The menu includes a choice of appetizer, choice of entree, and dessert:
APPETIZER (choose 1): 3 SPREADS: tzatziki – cucumber yoghurt, Melitzanosalata – roasted eggplant, & Taramasalata – cod roe; SPANAKOPITA: leek, feta dill; HORIATKI — Classic Greek salad with feta and oregano; or AEGEAN SEAFOOD SALAD — Mussels, shrimp, crab, scallops, greek olives, lemon vinaigrette

Call for women artists for March 2020 exhibit: “Women’s Rights”

The Ashtabula Arts Center is accepting art submissions by women artists throughout the area in celebration of Women’s History Month, March 2020, for an exhibit, Women’s Rights. Find details and the application here: Women’s Show 2020 application for artists

Call for artists for November Suicide Awareness & Prevention exhibit

The Ashtabula County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Ashtabula County LOSS Team, in collaboration with the Ashtabula Arts Center, are seeking artwork submissions for our third annual show, Hope in Artistry: Reducing Stigma and Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention. A variety of mediums will be accepted, including photography, painting, illustrations and mixed media. Find submission instructions and guidelines and the entry form here: Suicide Prevention exhibit Call for Artists 2019