MINNESOTA DANCE THEATRE & THE DANCE INSTITUTE

Since MDT was founded in 1962 by dance pioneer Loyce Houlton, the organization has been the focal point of dance education and performance in the Twin Cities. MDT's mission states, "As the cornerstone of classical ballet training in Minnesota, Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT) creates and inspires the next generation of classical and contemporary dancers and their enthusiasts through superior and inclusive dance education, performance, and academics." An MDT donor recently referred to the organization's impact by stating, "All local dance leads back to MDT." Since its founding, MDT has offered classical ballet and contemporary training, as well as performance opportunities to thousands of Twin Cities Metro youth and adults, ages four and up. The organization serves approximately 300 students in its adult and year-round programs, and has reached thousands of youth through their outreach programs. Since MDT's programming is varied, it reaches a diverse audience. In this way, the organization has maintained a reputation for artistic excellence while fostering a welcoming environment for dancers of all backgrounds. For example, the 2025 Winter Showcase displayed 106 students to 491 performance attendees, and in 2023, MDT reached over 1,700 underprivileged students through the CAN Dance outreach program. Under the leadership of Director Lauren Post, who has 16 years of experience dancing for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as well as an extensive background in arts administration, MDT has grown in remarkable ways. For example, for the 2025-2026 school year, Post ensured that all ballet classes had live piano accompaniment, hired six new teachers, implemented a new curriculum, enrolled dancers in the Youth America Grand Prix competition, and invited guest artists from ABT to perform with and choreograph on MDT students for the 2025 Winter Showcase. Post's main objective is to honor MDT's educational legacy by providing exceptional opportunities and creating dedicated artists. As a way to gauge success, Post circulates regular surveys to parents as well as meets with each family at the end of the school year to discuss students' strengths, goals, and areas for improvement. Additionally, student retention and alumni success is used to quantify engagement. For instance, at the end of the 2025 school year, 83% of graduates committed to either a dance major or minor at a collegiate program, and MDT had a net gain of three students. Outside of race demographics, MDT also prioritizes accommodating all ages, abilities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. For instance, MDT offers work study programs to families or dancers in need; they assist MDT staff with administrative tasks in exchange for discounted tuition. And for the 2025 Winter Showcase, MDT offered families in need a 44% off discount code, so that families could purchase tickets with less financial stress. Additionally, MDT strives to increase the male-identifying demographic in its student enrollment as there are only a handful of male students enrolled. As a solution, MDT offers male scholarship classes, where male-identifying dancers are invited to take classes at MDT for 76% less than the regularly-stated tuition. In terms of age demographics, MDT's programs accommodate ages four and up, with some adult dancers dancing into their 70s and 80s. As MDT shifted classes to the new facility in Marcy-Holmes in March of 2026 at 730 9th Street SE, MDT reduced a significant barrier to participation by offering services in a more accessible location that offers free parking and an ADA-compliant building. MDT's downtown location did not offer free parking, and traffic congestion as well as safety concerns makes it a difficult location for families to access. Lastly, MDT staff ensures that all performances take place in ADA-compliant theaters, MDT social media is created with closed-captioning, and color-contrasting best practices can be found on MDT's emails, social media posts, and website as a way to ensure that communications can be interpreted by all. As of May 2026, MDT employees two full-time employees, and approximately twenty part-time employees, ranging from accompanists, teachers, and administrative contractors. The Board of Trustees gained five new members in 2026, which showcases a total number of 15 members.