Destination Twin Cities performance by the Kinetic Evolutions Dance Company
Left to right: Sarah Jabar, Renee Guittar, Sarah LaRose-Holland and clarinetist Butch Thompson
Photo: Dave Trayers
By Sarah LaRose-Holland
Artistic Director, Kinetic Evolutions Dance Company
Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota --- nestled by the Mississippi, Minnesota and Saint Croix Rivers --- are a hub of artistic disciplines. The performing arts thrive in the Twin Cities and offer opportunities for artists at all stages of life to hone and flourish their artistic skills. Minneapolis and Saint Paul have numerous theaters, museums, art galleries, dance companies and schools.
Visit the MN artists website to view a sampling of some of the amazing talent in the Twin Cities, http://www.mnartists.org/. Home to thousands of dance companies, independent choreographers and dance artists, the Twin Cities offer numerous opportunities within many different disciplines of dance. Modern dance, ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theater, culturally specific dance, traditional dance styles, competitive dance, live action, ballroom, social, hip-hop, club and break dancing all have a strong presence in the dance scene of these two side-by-side Midwest cities.
People looking for dance opportunities in Minneapolis and Saint Paul will have no shortage of places to train and learn. Dance training is available for youth at either a private dance school, within the K-12 curriculum, at a performing arts school, and in a college or university setting with opportunities to obtain a bachelors degree in dance. Professional and avocational dancers may also find a wide assortment of options to pursue their dance passions. Here’s just a handful of options to consider when looking for dance training.
Private dance schools:
- Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center http://www.ballareteatro.com/
- Saint Paul Ballet http://www.spballet.org/
- Zenon Dance Company and School http://www.zenondance.org/
- Tu Dance http://www.tudance.org/
- Minnesota Dance Theater http://mndance.org/
- Four Seasons Dance Studio http://www.fourseasonsdance.com/
- Jawaahir Dance Company and the Casandra School http://www.jawaahir.org/
- Zorongo Flamenco http://www.zorongo.org/
- The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts http://www.thecowlescenter.org/
- James Sewell Ballet http://www.jsballet.org/
- Classical Ballet Academy of Minnesota http://balletminnesota.org/
- Dancers Studio http://dancersstudio.com/
- Cinema Ballroom http://www.cinemaballroom.com/dances
- Out on a Limb Dance Company and School http://www.outonalimbdance.org/
- Young Dance http://www.youngdance.org/
- Youth Dance Ensemble http://ydeschool.com/index.html
- Ashley Ballet Arts Academy http://www.ashleyballetarts.com/
- MotionArt http://motionartmn.org/
K-12 dance opportunities:
- Saint Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts (9-12) http://www.spcpa.org/
- The FAIR School (4-8) http://fair.rdale.org/
- Anoka Middle School for the Arts (6-8) http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/Domain/32
- Perpich Center for Arts Education (11-12) http://www.mcae.k12.mn.us/
- Breck School (K-12) https://www.breckschool.org/performing-arts
- Main Street School of Performing Arts (9-12) http://www.msspahs.org/
- Apple Valley High School http://www.district196.org/avhs/arts/index.cfm?a=more&aid=%22%2ARL%20%0A
- Saint Paul Public Schools http://www.spps.org/
- Minneapolis Public Schools http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/
- Southwest High School (9-12) http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/callahan.html
- Roosevelt High School (9-12) http://candidagonzalez4.wixsite.com/rhs-arts
- South High (9-12) http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/dance_3
- North Community High School (9-12) http://north.mpls.k12.mn.us/fine_arts_team
Colleges (not all of these colleges are in the Twin Cities):
- University of Minnesota https://www.theatre.umn.edu/dance
- Macalester College http://www.macalester.edu/academics/theatreanddance/
- Hamline University https://www.hamline.edu/cla/theatre-arts/
- Augsburg College http://www.augsburg.edu/
- Saint Olaf College http://wp.stolaf.edu/dance/
- Carleton College https://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/thea/dance/
- Gustavus Adolphus College https://gustavus.edu/
- Minnesota State University Mankato http://www.mnsu.edu/dance/
- University of Minnesota Duluth http://www.d.umn.edu/
- Winona State University http://www.winona.edu/
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have numerous theaters for choreographers, and dancers to take their work to the stage. It should also be pointed out that this community does a great job of taking dance to the community as well. Dancers frequently perform in local parks, in downtown public settings, along Lake Street, in outdoor festivals, you name it. The Twin Cities has embraced opportunities to bring dance to the community in traditional and in non-traditional dance venues. Here are just some of the venues currently available for dance performances. Some theaters are available as a rental hall, and some theaters offer opportunities to be produced. See each location for more information.
Local theaters:
- Orpheum Theater http://hennepintheatretrust.org/theatres/orpheum-theatre/
- Pantages Theatre http://hennepintheatretrust.org/theatres/pantages-theatre/
- State Theatre http://hennepintheatretrust.org/theatres/state-theatre/
- Walker Art Center http://www.walkerart.org/
- Southern Theater http://southerntheater.org/
- The Lab Theater http://www.thelabtheater.org/
- Red Eye Theater http://www.redeyetheater.org
- Intermedia Arts http://www.intermediaarts.org/
- Bedlam Theater http://bedlamtheatre.org/
- The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts http://www.thecowlescenter.org/
- The Ordway http://www.ordway.org/
- The O’Shaughnessy http://oshag.stkate.edu/
- The Bryant Lake Bowl http://www.bryantlakebowl.com/theater
- The Historic Mounds Theatre http://moundstheatre.org/
- Park Square Theater http://parksquaretheatre.org/
- Phoenix Theater http://www.phoenixtheatermpls.org/
- Chanhassen Dinner Theater www.chanhassentheatres.com
- The Ordway http://www.ordway.org/
- Northrop Auditorium http://www.northrop.umn.edu/
- Ritz Theater http://www.ritz-theater.org/
Festivals/showcases:
- Minnesota Fringe Festival http://www.fringefestival.org/
- The Right Here Showcase http://righthereshowcase.weebly.com/
- Momentum New Dance Works http://www.thecowlescenter.org/Momentum
- Catalyst Series http://www.intermediaarts.org/catalyst-series-current-season1
- 9 x 22 Dance Lab http://bryantlakebowl.com/theater/9x22-dancelab
- Balls Cabaret http://southerntheater.org/home/about-us/balls-cabaret/
- Future Interstates http://bodycartography.org/portfolio/future-interstates-2/
- 3x5: The Soap Factory’s Emerging Artist Residency Program http://www.soapfactory.org/exhibition/3x5/
What kinds of professional dancers can be found in Minneapolis and Saint Paul? All kinds! There are so many choreographers and dance companies in the Twin Cities, and they all pursue their artistic vision with great passion. Professional dancers in all stages of their careers have integrated well into the community, and new dance professionals relocate to the Twin Cities every year. The dance scene continues to grow and evolve with the artists that choose to live and create work within our community. People and artists in Minnesota are resilient. We work hard all year long --- during the frigid cold of winter, the dog days of summer and during the cool, beautiful days of spring and fall. The changing seasons enhance the depth of the experience of living in Minnesota. Each season brings its own joys and challenges that help shape and inform the community, artists and choreographic process. Some choreographers enjoy the challenge of an outdoor performance in the dead of winter. Other artists enjoy celebrating the beauty and warmth of summer in an outdoor performance or festival.
There are numerous styles of dance presented on the stage and in the community in the Twin Cities. Here are just some of the dance companies you may encounter in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Arena Dances http://arena-dances.org/
CAAM Chinese Dance Theater http://www.caamcdt.org/
Ragamala Dance Company http://www.ragamaladance.org/
Zenon Dance Company http://www.zenondance.org/
Ethnic Dance Theater http://www.ethnicdancetheatre.com/
Christopher Watson Dance Company http://christopherwatsondance.org/
Black Label Movement http://blacklabelmovement.com/
Shapiro and Smith http://shapiroandsmithdance.org/
Tu Dance http://www.tudance.org/
James Sewell Ballet http://www.jsballet.org/
Minnesota Dance Theater http://mndance.org/
Saint Paul Ballet http://www.spballet.org/
Collide Theatrical http://www.collidetheatrical.org/
Eclectic Edge Ensemble http://www.eclecticedgeensemble.com/
The Flying Foot Forum http://flyingfootforum.com/
Kinetic Evolutions http://kineticevolutions.yolasite.com/
Threads Dance Project http://www.threadsdance.org/
Dance and Other Behaviors http://danceandotherbehaviors.weebly.com/
Ananya Dance Theater http://www.ananyadancetheatre.org/
Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota http://www.twincitiesballet.org/
Zorongo Flamenco http://www.zorongo.org/
Jawahiir Dance Company and the Cassandra School http://www.jawaahir.org/
OFF-LEASH AREA http://www.offleasharea.org/
Contempo Physical Dance http://www.contempophysicaldance.org/
Alternative Motion Project http://www.alternativemotionproject.org/
HIJACK https://www.facebook.com/hijackdance/
Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater http://stuartpimsler.com/
Time Track Productions http://timetrackproductions.weebly.com/
Seven Dance https://www.facebook.com/SEVENDANCEmn
Work/dance life balance....how do dancers in Minneapolis and Saint Paul make a living? Well, a lot of different ways. Many dancers have graduate degrees in dance and teach at one of the local colleges or universities. This can offer the opportunity to network, run a dance company, or dance and perform with other choreographers. Some dancers are primarily performers and might earn a living from performing with dance companies and independent artists. Some dancers are also yoga or pilates instructors. Many have their own dance schools and create great opportunities for generations of future dancers. Some professional dancers have full or part-time jobs in all kinds of fields like accounting, dentistry, culinary arts, real estate, science, IT, professional research, working in an art gallery, or for a local theater or arts agency.....you get the idea.
There are a lot of individual artists making their art on a project by project basis. Some are contract dancers for seasonal work. There are many levels of involvement in dance. There is no one way to have the life of a professional dancer. There’s more than one way to achieve any goal. If a dancer is motivated, organized, an effective communicator and ready to work hard, he/she can find a way to pursue his/her dance dreams in our community.
In addition to being a great place to live and dance, Minneapolis and Saint Paul dancers and choreographers have access to funding opportunities to help finance their artistic pursuits. Some of the local funding agencies include:
McKnight Foundation https://www.mcknight.org/
Minnesota State Arts Board http://www.arts.state.mn.us/
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council http://www.mrac.org/
Jerome Foundation https://www.jeromefdn.org/
COMPAS http://www.compas.org/
In 2008, Minnesota voters passed an amendment to: protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. The Legacy Amendment increased state sales taxes starting in 2009 until 2034. The Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund supports arts, arts education and arts access to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. It is projected that Minnesotans will invest over $1.2 billion in arts and cultural heritage fund projects and programs over the 25 year life of the tax. More information about the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund can be found here: http://www.legacy.leg.mn/about-funds.
There are also great resources available for dancers here. The Dance Community newsletter is a terrific way to both be informed of dance opportunities and to share the great dance projects you’re involved with. A must subscription for any dancer in the Twin Cities is DanceMN.org.
Resources
- Springboard for the Arts http://springboardforthearts.org/
- DanceMN.org
- MNartists.org
- Arts Midwest https://www.artsmidwest.org/
One way dancers are celebrated in the Twin Cities is through the Sage Awards. These annual awards recognize and celebrate Minnesota’s vibrant dance community. Sage Awards are given for these categories:
- Outstanding Dance Performance
- Outstanding Dance Performers
- Outstanding Dance Ensemble
- Outstanding Design
- Outstanding Dance Educator
- Special Citation
For more information about the Sage Awards and past recipients, visit: http://www.sageawards.org/.
There are so many great things about the dance scene here in the Twin Cities. New choreographic voices are always joining the scene and longtime legends continue to create inspiring works. Minneapolis and Saint Paul are wonderful cities for dancers to carve out and find their artistic voices and visions. There’s an interesting and diverse landscape of artistic voices in our community. There’s opportunity here for everyone at whatever place they are in their career. It’s common to meet people who have stopped or left dance and then returned to it later. Life happens, and dance can always be there for a person when she/he wants it and needs it.
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Related posts:
Artist Profile: Jill Patterson
My Dance Week: Kristin Blatzheim of Apple Valley High School
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