Congratulations to MDT Company MDT's final MainStage performance for the 2021-22 season at The O'Shaughnessy highlighted the diverse talent and artistry of the company dancers. From the storytelling of Loyce Houlton's/Samual Barber's  Knoxville, Summer of 1915 , to Alexander Hille's/Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms the performance was a rich, compelling experience for all ..read more

Elissa Fonseca, originally from Utah, moved to Minneapolis in 2018 to dance with Minnesota Dance Theatre. Just having finished her second season, Elissa says, “It’s been amazing. I still feel so lucky to be here.” And we’re lucky to have her here. MDT Artistic Director Lise Houlton agrees, “A muse, a collaborator, a great ensemble member, Elissa brings her unique qualities to the studio and to the stage. Precisely what the dance world needs. MDT is so fortunate to share her talents.” Read on to learn more about Elissa’s background, her favorite MDT roles, and how she’s making the most of her ..read more

Scroll down for updates. As the concern for Coronavirus increases in our community, we want to assure you that we are taking precautions at MDT to reduce risk and spread of the virus. We want to let you know about the protocols we are implementing in the MDT studios, as informed by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and following the lead of other professional dance schools in the country. First, we encourage all MDT students to take the basic measures to keep yourself and others healthy. Wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your face, and cover your cough. We kin ..read more

MDT’s Ballet Repertory Workshop for Adults Minnesota Dance Theatre’s Open Division offers a regular schedule of open ballet classes at all levels for adults and teens, ages 16 and up. While these ballet classes offer great fitness benefits, the discipline of learning a classical art form, and the joy of dancing with live piano accompaniment, they rarely include the opportunity to dance specific choreography from famous ballets. That’s where our “Dance the Classics” series comes in. For the past couple years, we’ve offered these biannual workshops that include two afternoons of immersion in t ..read more

MDT dancers and faculty recall sweet (and sometimes hilarious) Nutcracker experiences. The Nutcracker has become such a tradition for American ballet companies and schools that almost all ballet dancers have had some experience with it at some point. It’s usually their first experience dancing in a full production, which gives them that essential performance experience that puts all their training in perspective, like "Ah, this is what it’s all about!" Then that experience becomes an annual event, evolving over the years as the dancers may progress in level and in roles, from student to profe ..read more

Looking for holiday gift ideas? Give the gift of dance! When you give the gift of dance, you share unique experiences that enrich someone’s life for days, weeks, and maybe years to come. We’ve got a range of options, from show tickets to ballet classes, and we’ve got something for everyone, no matter their age or affinity, whether they love to be on stage, in the studio, or in the audience. Check it out and gift the gift of dance this holiday season! 1. Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy Give the gift of Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy , that beloved holiday tradition that makes magical m ..read more

Live music is an essential ingredient for Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy and for lots of what we do at MDT. It’s an honor to continue an age-old tradition of presenting dance with live music. It lends a spontaneity to the performances as the dancers and musicians tune into each other and create an especially vibrant experience for audiences. The 44-piece Nutcracker Orchestra is something that sets Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy apart from the many other local Nutcracker productions, and not just for the exceptional quality that live music brings. Behind each of those “44 pieces” are 4 ..read more

With her captivating beauty and stunning athleticism, MDT company dancer Vanessa Spiteri likely caught your eye at a recent MDT performance. She joined the company last season and has embraced and grown through the vast range of the MDT company repertoire, from a delicate slyph in "Chopiniana" to a fierce force of nature in more contemporary works. Learn about Vanessa here and about her process recreating the iconic role of the Sugarplum Fairy for Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy , coming to the State Theatre, December 13-23. From Vienna to Minnesota Originally from Switzerland, Vanessa has ..read more

Make a gift to CAN Dance and help bring dance experiences to more children in the Twin Cities ..read more

Yes, we have a new website, and we hope you’re loving the change. The new site is designed to provide a user-friendly experience for both our audiences and our students. Whether you’re here to learn more about upcoming company performances or about our school programs , we hope that you can easily find what you’re looking for and get all the information you need. The ways in which the site is improved are numerous: Compatible with desktop or mobile devices Consolidated information with less text to scroll through More secure Faster loading Streamlined in its organization Updated in its visua ..read more