News from MDT

MDT&S is proud to announce our new MDT&S Lyndale Campus,

6001 S Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis 55419

across from Bachman's

AND

MDT&S  announces an August Intensive -

Check the website for registration information in the Performing Arts Division for B - E Dancers

      MDT has made some adjustments in this new virtual world by giving up

now uninhabited corner office spaces at Cowles Center.

Holding strong to our mission and vision, MDT holds the artists, school and company,

in the highest esteem and our resources are focused to those most valued areas. 

Bravo to  MDT company dancers for their extraordinary commitment

to MDT's 2021-2022  season of diverse, exclusive commissions

and reimagined  ballets from MDT's repertoire.

 Experience STUDIO SKETCHES videotaped April 22nd in the Tek Box

https://youtu.be/6f0EsAvU69M

 We’re grateful to all of you for your continued support and enthusiasm for MDT.

Stay tuned for exciting updates for our 60th season.

~~~

Early Spring ~ Masterworks Old & New

Bravo to the MDT company dancers and thanks to The O'Shaughnessy theater team

for a very special weekend of performances.

"...the performance last weekend was incredible. I attended the Sunday afternoon performance and walked away thinking ...

 the diversity of the dancers was evident and beautiful. The whole world needs to see that!"

"... exquisite program...blessed to see such a wonderful, moving and beautiful dance program."

"... the most spectacular dance performance I've seen in my 29 years in Minnesota..."

MDT is committed to advancing diversity and equity within our organization and our art form.

We strive to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive culture that reflects our diverse Twin Cities community

and supports an environment in which students and professionals from all backgrounds can thrive.

The Minnesota Dance Theatre community celebrates the extraordinary

life of Lirena Branitski, who left our lives and dance world with the endless exquisiteness of grace, knowledge, humor and her generousity in sharing 

 beautiful dance experiences with us.

MDT is pleased to welcome Deirdre Murnane to the teaching staff

Deirdre will be reintroducing MDT's Fundamentals class to the schedule beginning March 1, 2022.

Deirdre grew up in Los Angeles, CA where she studied ballet from her mother, Eva Ralf and Tania (Riabouchinska) Lichine. After high school, she moved to Minnesota to dance at Minnesota Dance Theatre where she was a member of MDT company II. After moving back to Los Angeles for a couple of years to study Jazz and teach at Dupree Dance Academy, she moved back to Minneapolis and became a founding member of Zenon Dance Comapany where she danced for six years. She then joined Myron Johnson's Ballet of the Dolls where she danced for six more years and married her husband, Michael Murnane. Deirdre has also danced with Minnesota Opera, Sons of Winter Theater, Shawn McConneloug and her Orchestra, Children’s Theater Company, and Macy’s Glamorama. Deirdre has taught dance in the Twin Cities since 1984 and yoga since 2009. She has a 500-hour yoga teacher certification from Yoga Center Minneapolis, and is certified in Simonson Jazz Dance Technique. Deirdre was most recently the Dance Director for Reif Dance at The Reif Arts Center in Grand Rapids MN from July 2017 through December 2021 where she had the opportunity to direct and choreograph for several original full length productions including A Tale of Two Heroes - Orpheus and Hercules, Enchanted Forest, Cinderella, 4 Reif Dance Company shows and an annual Nutcracker.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MDT Company Dancers, VocalEssence and choreographers Alexander Hille and Elayna Waxse

for a dazzling return-to-the- stage at Orchestra Hall.

And thanks to Philip Brunelle for this collaboration!

MINNESOTA DANCE THEATRE RETURNS THIS FALL WITH A NEW COLLABORATION AND A HOLIDAY TREASURE

(MINNEAPOLIS; September 13, 2021) — Minnesota Dance Theatre’s (MDT) fall line-up features a first-time collaboration and the return of an audience favorite, Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy. 

MDT joins forces with VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers for Hope Lives Here, a concert at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 16 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Celebrating an enthusiastic return to in-person performances, the concert will offer reflections of the pandemic journey and optimism for the future. 

Choreographic highlights include a fresh interpretation of Leonard Bernstein’s 

Chichester Psalms with choreography by Minnesota-born/Munich-based Alexander Hille, and assistant choreographer Pier Loup Lacour. The evening will also feature a clever juxtaposition of Astor Piazzolla’s tango-infused tribute to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with choreography by McKnight Dance Fellow Elayna Waxse. 

“This fall we are overjoyed to share the stage with VocalEssence and the glorious music of Leonard Bernstein and Astor Piazzolla,” exclaimed Lise Houlton, MDT Artistic Director. Single tickets ($10-$40) will be on sale September 16 at minnesotaorchestra.org

MDT’s beloved holiday tradition returns to the State Theatre in Minneapolis with MDT Founder Loyce Houlton's imaginative choreography, Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and the thrilling dancers of the MDT company and school. On stage December 17-22 for six performances, the 57th presentation of Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy will feature the 44-piece Nutcracker Orchestra conducted by Philip Brunelle. Ticket prices range from $15-$125 and are on sale September 16 at the State Theatre Box Office or online at Ticketmaster.

Minnesota Dance Theatre, one of Minnesota’s cultural treasures and an acclaimed arts leader in the region, is a nonprofit professional dance company and school founded in 1962 by Loyce Houlton, one of the first American women to gain national and international recognition as a choreographer, teacher and producer. Now in its 59th season, MDT continues under the leadership of Lise Houlton, who has served as Artistic Director for the past 26 years, offering her exceptional vision of artistic elegance and passionate creativity. Joining her in capturing the brilliant artistry is Raina Quammen, Associate Artistic Director.

MINNESOTA DANCE THEATRE

2021 Fall Season

Hope Lives Here

A collaboration with VocalEssence

Saturday, October 16 @ 4 p.m.

Orchestra Hall

1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Tickets: $20-$40

Box Office: minnesotaorchestra.org (612) 371-5656 

Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy

Friday, December 17 @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 18 @ 3 p.m.

Sunday, December 19 @ 3 p.m.

Tuesday, December 21 @ 3 p.m.

Wednesday, December 22 @ 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

State Theatre

805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis

Tickets: $15-$125 

Box Office: State Theatre or www.ticketmaster.com