Choreographer
Teacher ~ Ballet/Contemporary
Artistic/Executive Director & Co-Founder of Neos Dance Theatre
aka Bobby Wesner
ROBERT WESNER, CHOREOGRAPHER
AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, began his career as a professional dancer with Ballet Arizona, under the direction of Michael Uthoff (now lb Anderson). During his stay in Phoenix, he had the honor of working with American Classics such as Fredrick Franklin, Daniel Ezralow, Moses Pendelton of Momix, the Artistic Directors of Pilobolus, Kevin O'Day, Jowali Willa Jo Zolar of Urban Bush Woman, and also his wife Brooke Wesner. Other great masterpieces that Wesner has performed are the "Profiteer" in The Green Table by Kurt Josse; "Iago" in The Moore's Pavone by Jose Limon; "Tico" in Company B by Paul Taylor, (also in Taylor's Esplanade); three works of Anthony Tudor: Lilac Garden, Leaves are Fading and Continuo; and The Jester in Earnst Uthoff's Carmina Burana. Independently, Wesner has traveled and performed with various companies all over the northeast region of the US and in Italy.
As Director and Co-Founder, Bobby has choreographed four evening length ballets for Neos Dance Theatre and produced an additional ballet by
former resident choreographer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn. Neos also performs many of Wesner’s repertory works, including Spinning Plates, Various Principals, Norm and Cleo, and more. Bobby and Brooke live in Ashland, Ohio where they raise their four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah, and Arowyn.
Bobby teaches at the University of Akron and Oberlin College.
"Searching for the Find was choreographed by artistic director Bobby Wesner....this first dance on the program displayed a dazzling group of dancers to maximum advantage" Cool Cleveland, Elsa Johnson and Victor Lucas
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REPERTOIRE
2019
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M.A.D.E. in Ashland 2019 featuring Jazz artists and musicians from Central to Northern Ohio, choreographer/costume designer
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Lose Your Marbles, 2019, featuring 4 Northern Ohio dance companies, Artistic/Executive Director
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dance.r.evolution, A Knight Art Challenge winner, choreographed by Neos dancer Matthew Roberts, producer, Director.
2017
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Lose Your Marbles, Artistic Director/Producer, featured dance companies, musicians, and individuals spanning across the Midwest & Northeastern US. funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, GAR Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, PNC Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Musson Foundation, Akron City, County of Summit, Development Finance Authority of Summit County
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Neos Center for Dance, Founder, in Oberlin, Ohio at the New Union Center for the Arts,
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Romanian Rhapsody, choreographer, in collaboration with Akron Symphony Orchestra
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Karelia Suite, choreographer, in collaboration with Akron Symphony Orchestra
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Light Fall, choreographer, premiered by Dancing Wheels with the Canton Symphony Orchestra
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Boots and Ballet, producer, in collaboration with Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
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A 1940’s Nutcracker, choreographer/producer, Neos Dance Theatre, 3 locations throughout Northern Ohio, site specific, featuring historical landmarks, artwork, animation, and graphics created by Andy Gardner and Kathy Hilton, sets by Kirsten Williams, costumes by Janet Bolick, lighting by Dennis Dugan, projection mapping by Jonathon Hunter. Featuring the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra funded in part by the Richland Community Foundation, in partnership with the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, Renaissance Theatre, & Stocker Arts Center
2013-2014
Snow White and the Magic Mirror: A Grimm Tale; Choreographer, Producer, presented collaboratively with The University of Akron's dance and music departments and the Dance Institute
Spinning Plates, Choreographer, Costume Designer
slowly moving, almost stopped, Choreographer, Costume Designer
2011-2012
Various Principals, Choreographer
Co-Founded Neos Dance Theatre along with Brooke Wesner
2009-2010
Romeo and Juliet, Choreographer, Producer, Costume Designer
Nuevo, Choreographer
Cities of the Future, Choreographer
Tico Tico, Choreographer
Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, Choreographer
Gershwin Pas de Deux (Revised from 2001) Choreographer
2018
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VanDance, choreographer, a collaboration with the dancers of Neos Dance Theatre
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Mourning Time, choreographer/costume design
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Smoke on the Water, choreographer/costume design, with singer Kelly Knowlton and her band
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Ashland Americana, choreographer/costume design with Grammy Award winning singer Sylvia McNair, pianist Kevin Cole, and visual artist Susan Shafer
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Carmina Burana, choreographer/costume design, in collaboration with the Canton Symphony
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Petrushka, choreographer/costume & set design, in collaboration with Akron Symphony Orchestra
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Carnival of the Animals (selections), in collaboration with Firelands Symphony
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M.A.D.E. in Ashland, producer, featuring Sylvia McNair, Kevin Cole, Betty Perry, Susan Shafer, Marty Bossler Lee, Neos Dance Theatre, Ashland High School A Cappella Choir, premiering 2 new works by Matthew Roberts and Robert Wesner and featuring additional work by Joseph Morrissey, funded in part by the Ashland County Community Foundation, Taylor Family Foundation
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Ballet @ the Brickyard & Art in the Alley, producer/choreographer, featuring Kelly Knowlton and band, Neos Dance Theatre’s preview of Wesner’s Mourning Time and Joseph Morrissey’s Near Light, by Cleveland Financial, Mechanics Bank
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Visiting Instructor of Dance, Oberlin College, Ballet 3, Contemporary 3 in collaboration with Holly Handman-Lopez
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Artistic/Executive Director & Co-Founder of Neos Dance Theatre
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Romanian Rhapsody, restaged for performed by The University of Akron’s dance department, restaged by Neos dancers Katherine Tackett and Carson Sanford
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Searching for the Find, choreographer, selections restaged for and performed by The University of Akron’s Dance Institute, restaged by Neos dancer Kaleb Reilly
2015-2016
necessary.negatives
Searching for the Find
Vinegar Two
Illustrious Disillusion
"In a holiday landscape littered with cookie-cutter Nutcracker productions, Neos’ 1940’s Nutcracker is a wonderfully refreshing change for those seeking something different without giving up any of the charm and magic the Nutcracker story carries with it." Arts Air, Steve Sucato
Click here to read Full Review
2012-2013
1940's Nutcracker, Choreographer, Costume Designer, Producer
Symbiosis, evening length featuring musical artists: Timbre Cierpke & La De Les
Homage, Choreographer
2010-2011
Count...the Legend of Dracula, Choreographer
Norm and Cleo (revised from 2004), Choreographer
Appalachian Spring, Commissioned work for Firelands Dance Symphony
Selections of An American in Paris, Choreographer
2008-2009
The Stag Line, Choreographer
Three Cornered Hat, Choreographer
Change My Name, Choreographer
By George, Choreographer
Coffee Talk, Choreographer Choreographer Spring and Summer, Bobby Wesner
Holiday Spectacular with The Mansfield Symphony
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