jessica wallis
Setting the Stage In 2012, Wallis founded Ballet in Cleveland to bring the country's best ballet to our most popular performance venues. Now she's reshaping it into Ballet in the City, and she's doing the same for other towns. Along with professional ballerina Allison DeBona, she also established the ArtEmotion Summer Intensive, a two-week residency for intermediate and pre-professionals, at Playhouse Square. On Pointe Misty Copeland, the first black female principal ballerina in the American Ballet Theatre, performed at the organization's annual gala in March. "We bring these first-class dancers to big-name venues and theaters ... out of respect for the art form," says Wallis. Barre Crowd Shows such as Dancing with the Stars and Flesh and Bone have renewed an interest in ballet, jazz and other dance forms. "Ballet is not a dying art," Wallis says. "Ballet is a visual art and very relevant, so it's the perfect time to capitalize on that resurgence and bring ballet to every city." Perfect Pair The Ballet in the City relaunch on Sept. 19 features Kathryn Morgan, the former New York City Ballet soloist, in the world premiere of The Red Shoes. "We collaborated with Morgan to create this new piece," says Wallis. // Roxanna Coldiron
Inlet Dance Theatre
