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Performing Artists

Amy Arbus’ striking portraits beautifully capture the essence and energy of Cleveland’s performing artists and the remarkable gifts they bring to our community. Arbus has published four books of her photographs, and her work is in many prestigious collections, including those of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Arbus’ photographs have appeared in more than 100 periodicals, and she has had 21 solo exhibitions around the world. She also teaches portraiture at the International Center of Photography, Maine Media Workshops and the Fine Arts Work Center. The Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the arts because we recognize that their innovation and creativity are essential to our community’s continued vitality. The talented actors, dancers and musicians pictured in this report, and so many others like them, make Cleveland a more rewarding, interesting and lively place to live and work. We are richer because of their presence.

  • Holly Holsinger (as Ev), Insomnia: The Waking of Herselves, Cleveland Public Theatre Holly Holsinger (as Ev), Insomnia: The Waking of Herselves, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Rod Freeman (as Trombone #2), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Rod Freeman (as Trombone #2), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Sarah Perrett, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater Sarah Perrett, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater
  • Kenesha Terrell (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Kenesha Terrell (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • M.A. Taylor (as Gratiano), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival M.A. Taylor (as Gratiano), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • Sean Jones, Trumpet, Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Sean Jones, Trumpet, Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Faye Hargate (as Fand), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre Faye Hargate (as Fand), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Eduardo Placer (as Vicomte De Nanjac), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival Eduardo Placer (as Vicomte De Nanjac), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • David Tony Smith (as Iago), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival David Tony Smith (as Iago), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • Richard L. Shanklin, Alto Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Richard L. Shanklin, Alto Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • John J. Polk (as Fred Clotaldo), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre John J. Polk (as Fred Clotaldo), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Damien Highfield, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater Damien Highfield, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater
  • Sheffia W. Randall Dooley (as Aoife), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre Sheffia W. Randall Dooley (as Aoife), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Chris Anderson, Trombone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Chris Anderson, Trombone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Laura Perrotta (as Mrs. Laura Cheveley), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival Laura Perrotta (as Mrs. Laura Cheveley), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • Felise Bagley, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater Felise Bagley, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater
  • Miguel Osborne (as Trombone #4), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Miguel Osborne (as Trombone #4), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • John L. Klayman, First Tenor Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra John L. Klayman, First Tenor Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Sally Groth (as Grace), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre Sally Groth (as Grace), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Nina Domingue (as The Venus Hottentot), Venus, Cleveland Public Theatre Nina Domingue (as The Venus Hottentot), Venus, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Paul Ferguson, Lead Trombone, Associate Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Paul Ferguson, Lead Trombone, Associate Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Michael L. Andrews-Hinders (as King Conchubar), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre Michael L. Andrews-Hinders (as King Conchubar), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater
  • Deja Conner (as Angel of Death Assistant) and James Boyd (as Jesus), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Deja Conner (as Angel of Death Assistant) and James Boyd (as Jesus), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Canaan Parrott (as Adam) and Jeffri Black (as Eve), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Canaan Parrott (as Adam) and Jeffri Black (as Eve), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Jodi Dominick (as Lady Gertrude Chiltern) and Richard Klautsch (as Sir Robert Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival Jodi Dominick (as Lady Gertrude Chiltern) and Richard Klautsch (as Sir Robert Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • Kyle Carthens (as Trombone #7), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Kyle Carthens (as Trombone #7), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • David Hansen (as Pengo), And Then You Die, Cleveland Public Theatre David Hansen (as Pengo), And Then You Die, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, and Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, and Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater
  • B. Durand Ferebee Jr. (as Mourner) and Kaben D. Jones (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre B. Durand Ferebee Jr. (as Mourner) and Kaben D. Jones (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Val Kozlenko (as Nicky McManus), Fire Dance, Cleveland Public Theatre Val Kozlenko (as Nicky McManus), Fire Dance, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Kelly Elliott (as Kelly), Kill Will, Cleveland Public Theatre Kelly Elliott (as Kelly), Kill Will, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Alison Garrigan (as Viviane Blaine), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre Alison Garrigan (as Viviane Blaine), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Jala Khateeb, Destiny Bloodworth, Kurana Glaros, Shirley Bell, Deja Conner and Tijai Monroe (as Red Sea Dancers), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Jala Khateeb, Destiny Bloodworth, Kurana Glaros, Shirley Bell, Deja Conner and Tijai Monroe (as Red Sea Dancers), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Kenneth C. Parker (as Trombone #6), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Kenneth C. Parker (as Trombone #6), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Nathan Ramos (as Aston Martin), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre Nathan Ramos (as Aston Martin), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Laurel Brooke Johnson (as Stella Frigidaire), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre Laurel Brooke Johnson (as Stella Frigidaire), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Anne McEvoy (as Dechtire), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre Anne McEvoy (as Dechtire), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Theron Brown, Piano / Keyboards, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Theron Brown, Piano / Keyboards, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Charles Kartali (as Vet), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre Charles Kartali (as Vet), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Howie Smith, Lead Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Howie Smith, Lead Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Doug Kusak (as Crumpet), The Santaland Diaries, Cleveland Public Theatre Doug Kusak (as Crumpet), The Santaland Diaries, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Brenda C. Adrine (as Trombone #5), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Brenda C. Adrine (as Trombone #5), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • Jodi Dominick (as Bianca), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival Jodi Dominick (as Bianca), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • Elizabeth R. Wood (as Sarge or Winchester Cox), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre Elizabeth R. Wood (as Sarge or Winchester Cox), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre
  • Kenny Charles (as Trombone #3), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Kenny Charles (as Trombone #3), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
  • David Alan Anderson (as Othello) and Sara M. Bruner (as Desdemona), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival David Alan Anderson (as Othello) and Sara M. Bruner (as Desdemona), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • David Tony Smith (as Viscount Goring) and Sara M. Bruner (as Miss Mabel Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival David Tony Smith (as Viscount Goring) and Sara M. Bruner (as Miss Mabel Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival
  • David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, GroundWorks DanceTheater David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, GroundWorks DanceTheater
  • Steve Enos, Trumpet, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Steve Enos, Trumpet, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
  • Darlisheo A. Averhart (as Mardi Gras Lady), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre Darlisheo A. Averhart (as Mardi Gras Lady), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre
Holly Holsinger (as Ev), Insomnia: The Waking of Herselves, Cleveland Public Theatre

Holly Holsinger (as Ev), Insomnia: The Waking of Herselves, Cleveland Public Theatre

Rod Freeman (as Trombone #2), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Rod Freeman (as Trombone #2), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Sarah Perrett, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Sarah Perrett, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Kenesha Terrell (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Kenesha Terrell (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

M.A. Taylor (as Gratiano), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

M.A. Taylor (as Gratiano), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Sean Jones, Trumpet, Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Sean Jones, Trumpet, Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Faye Hargate (as Fand), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Faye Hargate (as Fand), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Eduardo Placer (as Vicomte De Nanjac), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Eduardo Placer (as Vicomte De Nanjac), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

David Tony Smith (as Iago), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

David Tony Smith (as Iago), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Richard L. Shanklin, Alto Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Richard L. Shanklin, Alto Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

John J. Polk (as Fred Clotaldo), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre

John J. Polk (as Fred Clotaldo), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre

Damien Highfield, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Damien Highfield, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Sheffia W. Randall Dooley (as Aoife), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Sheffia W. Randall Dooley (as Aoife), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Chris Anderson, Trombone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Chris Anderson, Trombone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Laura Perrotta (as Mrs. Laura Cheveley), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Laura Perrotta (as Mrs. Laura Cheveley), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Felise Bagley, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Felise Bagley, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Miguel Osborne (as Trombone #4), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Miguel Osborne (as Trombone #4), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

John L. Klayman, First Tenor Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

John L. Klayman, First Tenor Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Sally Groth (as Grace), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre

Sally Groth (as Grace), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre

Nina Domingue (as The Venus Hottentot), Venus, Cleveland Public Theatre

Nina Domingue (as The Venus Hottentot), Venus, Cleveland Public Theatre

Paul Ferguson, Lead Trombone, Associate Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Paul Ferguson, Lead Trombone, Associate Artistic Director, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Michael L. Andrews-Hinders (as King Conchubar), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Michael L. Andrews-Hinders (as King Conchubar), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Deja Conner (as Angel of Death Assistant) and James Boyd (as Jesus), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Deja Conner (as Angel of Death Assistant) and James Boyd (as Jesus), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Canaan Parrott (as Adam) and Jeffri Black (as Eve), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Canaan Parrott (as Adam) and Jeffri Black (as Eve), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Jodi Dominick (as Lady Gertrude Chiltern) and Richard Klautsch (as Sir Robert Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Jodi Dominick (as Lady Gertrude Chiltern) and Richard Klautsch (as Sir Robert Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Kyle Carthens (as Trombone #7), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Kyle Carthens (as Trombone #7), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

David Hansen (as Pengo), And Then You Die, Cleveland Public Theatre

David Hansen (as Pengo), And Then You Die, Cleveland Public Theatre

David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, and Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, and Katie Wells, Dancer, GroundWorks DanceTheater

B. Durand Ferebee Jr. (as Mourner) and Kaben D. Jones (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

B. Durand Ferebee Jr. (as Mourner) and Kaben D. Jones (as Mourner), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Val Kozlenko (as Nicky McManus), Fire Dance, Cleveland Public Theatre

Val Kozlenko (as Nicky McManus), Fire Dance, Cleveland Public Theatre

Kelly Elliott (as Kelly), Kill Will, Cleveland Public Theatre

Kelly Elliott (as Kelly), Kill Will, Cleveland Public Theatre

Alison Garrigan (as Viviane Blaine), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre

Alison Garrigan (as Viviane Blaine), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre

Jala Khateeb, Destiny Bloodworth, Kurana Glaros, Shirley Bell, Deja Conner and Tijai Monroe (as Red Sea Dancers), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Jala Khateeb, Destiny Bloodworth, Kurana Glaros, Shirley Bell, Deja Conner and Tijai Monroe (as Red Sea Dancers), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Kenneth C. Parker (as Trombone #6), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Kenneth C. Parker (as Trombone #6), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Nathan Ramos (as Aston Martin), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre

Nathan Ramos (as Aston Martin), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre

Laurel Brooke Johnson (as Stella Frigidaire), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre

Laurel Brooke Johnson (as Stella Frigidaire), FEVER/DREAM, Cleveland Public Theatre

Anne McEvoy (as Dechtire), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Anne McEvoy (as Dechtire), Open Mind Firmament, Cleveland Public Theatre

Theron Brown, Piano / Keyboards, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Theron Brown, Piano / Keyboards, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Charles Kartali (as Vet), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre

Charles Kartali (as Vet), The Book of Grace, Cleveland Public Theatre

Howie Smith, Lead Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Howie Smith, Lead Saxophone, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Doug Kusak (as Crumpet), The Santaland Diaries, Cleveland Public Theatre

Doug Kusak (as Crumpet), The Santaland Diaries, Cleveland Public Theatre

Brenda C. Adrine (as Trombone #5), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Brenda C. Adrine (as Trombone #5), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Jodi Dominick (as Bianca), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Jodi Dominick (as Bianca), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

Elizabeth R. Wood (as Sarge or Winchester Cox), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre

Elizabeth R. Wood (as Sarge or Winchester Cox), Pulp, Cleveland Public Theatre

Kenny Charles (as Trombone #3), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Kenny Charles (as Trombone #3), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

David Alan Anderson (as Othello) and Sara M. Bruner (as Desdemona), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

David Alan Anderson (as Othello) and Sara M. Bruner (as Desdemona), Othello, Great Lakes Theater Festival

David Tony Smith (as Viscount Goring) and Sara M. Bruner (as Miss Mabel Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

David Tony Smith (as Viscount Goring) and Sara M. Bruner (as Miss Mabel Chiltern), An Ideal Husband, Great Lakes Theater Festival

David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, GroundWorks DanceTheater

David Shimotakahara, Artistic Director, GroundWorks DanceTheater

Steve Enos, Trumpet, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Steve Enos, Trumpet, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

Darlisheo A. Averhart (as Mardi Gras Lady), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre

Darlisheo A. Averhart (as Mardi Gras Lady), God’s Trombones, Karamu House Theatre