Dance company will head in new direction

Changes to Archangel Dance Theater will begin in the fall
YOUNGSTOWN -- Archangel Dance Theater is winding down, said executive director Karen Clark-Green.
"The season for it is over now," Green said.
Time will be devoted to helping former dancers with their careers and shift Archangel's focus primarily to touring with one show, Green said.
Right now, the Archangel focus is on being a professional dance company in the Mahoning Valley.
"Archangel is going to be pushed in a different direction," Green said.
Right now, Archangel Dance Theater offers classes and many local performances throughout the year. The dancers currently rehearse at Ballet Western Reserve.
"We are winding down, but we are definitely not closing," Green said. "Nothing is final, some members may continue with the instruction."
However, it is likely that the group will no longer focus on classes, lessons or local performances. Archangel will primarily be a touring company, Green said.
"We are bringing it to a close," said Clark-Green. "I hate to say close, but it's going to be very different."
Varied roles
Many of the former Archangel dancers are still very much involved with the arts, including instructing, touring companies and the music industry.
Some alumni of Archangel Dance Theater include:
UJared Andrews, amateur champion of the television show "Live in Hollywood."
UTimothy Gordon, a dance teacher in the New York area and dancer for Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott, Anastasia and Wyclef Jean.
UChrista Oliver, who tours with Transition Dance Company of Deptford, London.
"There are going to be changes, but we're not sure what our new focus will be," said Jaietta Jackson, an Archangel company dancer. "Few of us involved with Archangel are here in Youngstown year-round."
She will be pursuing a career in the arts next year in California.
"Everything is up in the air right now," Jackson said.
Clark-Green and Jackson say that definite decisions will be made after all commitments for this summer have been completed. They expect the changes to begin in September.