USING DANCE TO FURTHER PEOPLE
Inlet Dance Theatre
To create and perform innovative dance theatre at a high level of artistry, speak creatively about human life issues, and bring about personal development in the lives of individuals through training and mentoring.
About US
Our Story
Inlet Dance Theatre, founded in 2001 by Founder and Executive/Artistic Director Bill Wade, is one of the region’s most exciting professional contemporary dance companies with roots in American Modern Dance. Inlet embodies his longstanding belief that dance viewing, training, and performing experiences may serve as tools to bring about personal growth and development. During our 23-year history, we have transformed from a small dance company with local impact into a celebrated organization that impacts people on an international level.
Upcoming Performances & Event Services
DanceWorks at Cleveland Public Theatre
April 24-26, 2025 at 7pm
Cleveland Public Theatre
“In Response”
Colorful magic realism collides with contemporary dance theatre as Inlet responds to art, societal division, envy, bureaucracy, and the numerous responsibilities vying for our attention. The company will share an exciting work in progress and premiere a new work alongside its transportive, athletic, and imaginative repertory.
Upcoming Education & Other Programming
Teen/Adult Modern Dance Classes
Teen/Adult Open Level (ages 16+)
Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm
Spring session running until June 5, 2025
Morning Pre-Professional & Company Level (int/adv dancers)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-10:45am
Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-10:30am
*Must email prior to attending morning classes, as schedule can sometimes change.
Spring Audition Workshop
Friday, May 23 (9am-3pm) and Saturday, May 24 (9am-1pm)
Instead of a formal audition, Inlet will hold a free 2-day workshop for those interested in joining the Company and our Trainee & Apprentice Program for the 2025-2026 season.
Summer Dance Intensive Junior (SDI Jr)
June 9-13, 2025
SDI Jr focuses on creating a supportive community for young dancers ages 6-12 yrs. This 1-week in-person camp includes improvisation-based movement games, modern technique, creating new choreography and more!
Half & Full Day options
Summer Dance Intensive (SDI)
June 25-July 27, 2025
For students ages, 16 to professional, the Inlet Summer Dance Intensive is the preeminent summer camp among all professional summer dance programs because students experience what it’s like to learn from and perform alongside professional modern dancers in a nurturing environment.
2.5 Week or 4.5 Week options
Inlet awarded NEA grant
(January 2025) Inlet Dance Theatre is honored to receive support from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Challenge America award of $10,000. This grant will support training in trauma-informed care for dancers, and arts workshops for veterans. The NEA awarded 272 Challenge America awards nationwide totaling $2,720,000 as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants.
Read the full announcement here.
BUILDING TRANSFORMATION: THE CAMPAIGN FOR INLET DANCE THEATRE
For two decades, Inlet Dance Theatre has touched and inspired people of all ages and backgrounds through its numerous education programs and its local, national and international performances. Throughout this growth, Inlet had yet to have a home to call its own. Today, Inlet is creating its own permanent studio, classroom, offices, and performance space in Cleveland’s new Pivot Center in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood.
