Minnesota Dance Theatre: Performing Arts Division Summer Programs

Minnesota Dance Theater’s Performing Arts Division (PAD) summer programs are designed to expand upon MDT&S’s classical ballet-based curriculum, seamlessly integrating contemporary dance styles, innovative choreography, and classical repertoire. All classes are led by the esteemed MDT faculty and exciting guest teachers, with live piano accompaniment enriching most classes.

All classes are aimed for dancers who have mastered the fundamentals of ballet technique. Classes will include: ballet technique, pre-pointe, pointe, men’s repertoire, choreography, contemporary technique, jazz, character, conditioning/strength and more.

Classes are taught by esteemed MDT staff, and internationally recognized choreographer, Gemma Bond (ABT and The Royal Ballet), and Katie Deuitch (Ballet Austin), among others. Stay tuned for updates!

Session Dates: 
June 9-13, 9:30am-4:00pm 
June 16-20, 9:30am-4:00pm
June 23-27, 9:30am-4:00pm 

PAD summer program classes are divided into three levels: Level 1 for ages 8-10, Level 2 for ages 10-13 and Level 3 for ages 13-18. Level placement will be determined by age and experience level and is at the discretion of MDT&S staff. Please enroll based on age, and email school@mndance for any questions.

Registration is open until Thursday, May 15.

For more information visit Minnesota Dance Theatre: Performing Arts Division Summer Program.

Threads Dance Project Youth Summer Camps

Discover dance this summer at Threads Dance Nexus!

Creative Connections for ages 4-6: June 16-20 and June 23-27, 9:00-10:15am
$125 for one week or $230 for both weeks. Need-based scholarships are available.

Young movers will explore a variety of dance styles and how dance intersects with music, numbers, art, theater, and more. They will learn the importance of healthy bodies and minds, discuss basic nutrition, and how emotions can be defined, demonstrated, and calmed using movement. This journey of creativity and self-expression will be shared in a casual showing for family and friends at the end of each week.

NexGen/YDP (Youth Dance Project) for ages 8-12: July 7-11 and July 14-18, 9:00am-12:00pm
$279 for one week or $499 for both weeks. Need-based scholarships are available.

NexGen/YDP PLUS for ages 8-12 with 2+ years dance experience: July 7-11 and July 14-18, 9:00am-1:00pm
$329 for one week or $579 for both weeks. Need-based scholarships are available.

Embark on a fun and holistic dance experience for your child in this comprehensive approach to summer dance learning. Dancers will grow in confidence, strength, and self-expression as they study ballet and modern techniques. They will learn self-care for their bodies and minds through nutrition and embodied movement exploration. Journals will be provided as a tool for self-reflection and discovery. Students will share what they’ve learned in a casual showing at the end of each week.

No prior dance experience is required. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available – visit our website for more information.

Threads Dance Project Advanced Professional Summer Intensive

The Threads Dance Project Advanced/Professional Summer Intensive is an intensive workshop that explores advanced dance techniques to enhance both performance and choreography for professional and pre-professional dancers.

Participants can choose one or both tracks and are encouraged to register for both tracks for a full immersive experience.

Performer’s Track: June 23-27 from 10:30am-2:45pm
Strengthen technical mastery and performance skills in Contemporary-Modern, African Dance, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and more.

Choreographer’s Track: June 23-27 from 1:30-5:30pm
Focus on creation with classes in Repertoire, Composition, and Improvisation, plus studies in Grant Writing, Show Production, and more.

Final Showing: Friday, June 27 from 5:30-6:00pm
Tuition: $260 per track or $449 for both tracks

For more details and registration, click here.

Ballet Co.Laboratory Intermediate and Advanced Summer Intensives

Build strength and develop your artistry. Our Summer Intensives include classical and contemporary technique classes and the opportunity to perform dance works created for the professional Company of Ballet Co.Laboratory.

Intermediate Intensive: July 29-August 15, Tuesday-Friday from 9:30am-4:00pm
Dancers aged 12-16 spend three weeks immersed in classes including classical ballet technique, pointe, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, character, conditioning, and repertoire. Dancers should have at least 1 year of pointe experience.

Advanced Intensive: July 28-August 15, Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm
Dancers aged 15-22 spend three weeks immersed in classes including classical ballet technique, pointe, partnering, jazz, contemporary, modern, musical theatre, character, improvisation, conditioning, and repertoire. Dancers should have at least 2.5 years of pointe experience.

Sunday Open Ballet

Open Ballet class is for every body! Come join the fun!

Sundays, 1:30-3:00pm

A ballet teacher with 35+ years of experience teaching all levels and ages, Lisa’s welcoming ballet classes naturally guide students in refining their alignment, balance, and technique while also discovering the value and importance of the use of weight in their dancing. Coupled with individual attention, feedback, and humor, students experience expansion and growth in body and mind – and experience joy in the process.

Students are encouraged to expect success and mistakes. Only when we allow ourselves to take chances and risk failure can we grow to our full potential. Every student is special, different, important, appreciated, encouraged, respected, unique, invited, and welcome. Come play and see for yourself!

Drop-in: Income-based sliding scale of $17-$22.
Pre-pay via Venmo @Lisa-Erickson-121 or with exact cash.

Summer Jazz Dance Intensive

Improve your technique and advance your artistry in a positive and welcoming environment with one of the top dance companies in the Twin Cities!

Classes in our Summer Dance Intensive include Musical Theatre Jazz, Classic Jazz Technique, Ballet, Leaps and Turns, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and more. Students may register for one or both weeks.

The Intensive culminates with our Collide Showcase. Video will be taken so dancers have a professional-grade copy to use for future auditions and submissions. Local students are also invited to perform excerpts from the Intensive at the Minnesota State Fair in August!

Level placement requires a referral from a teacher or Collide company member, or a two-minute video submission. Please send a video (one minute of Ballet Adagio with pirouettes and one minute of Jazz) or referral name and contact information to Auditions@collidetheatrical.org.

Studio Rentals at Collide Theatrical in St. Paul

Need space to rehearse, choreograph, teach, or hold an event? Collide Theatrical has two studios available for rental in our beautiful St. Paul location. Evening and weekend availability!

Studio 1 has 1200 square feet of sprung floor, full wall-length mirrors, Rosco Adagio Marley dance floor, high ceilings, skylights, and three chandeliers.
Rental Fees:
Nonprofit groups of 1–10: $25/hour for rehearsals
Other rental inquiries are subject to our event rate: starting at $30/hour. Please contact us for more information.

Studio 2 has 450 square feet of sprung wood floor.
Rental Fees:
Individual artists: $18/hour
Nonprofit organizations: $22/hour for rehearsals
Other rental inquiries: starting at $25/hour

Both studios have the following amenities:
Ballet barres for up to 18 students
Free and accessible parking and access to public transportation line
Gender-specific bathrooms (non–gender specific bathroom available in the adjacent building)
Free Wi-Fi and Bluetooth room speakers
Two folding tables and access to up to 30 chairs
Microwave, small refrigerator, and hallway drinking fountains
HVAC heated and cooled spaces with temperature control

Street shoes on dance floors are strictly forbidden. Dance sneakers (not worn outdoors) are fine in the small studio only.

New rental requests must be made at least 72 hours prior to your requested time. Payment for rental bookings must be made 48 hours prior to your booking to hold your reservation. A signed rental agreement and certificate of insurance must be provided prior to your reservation. Please contact us at rentals@collidetheatrical.org to schedule a visit.

Apprentice Program Now Accepting Submissions

Collide Theatrical’s Apprentice Program is an audition-based professional training program designed to provide the skills needed to pursue formal positions within the Collide Company and in the world of theater dance. This is a ​9-month training program with 3 trimesters (September-November, December-February, and March-May). Interested dancers must sign up for a minimum of 3 months, or 1 trimester.

Selected Apprentice dancers will take technique class with the Company 2-3 days a week, participate in a cabaret performance, and have opportunities to appear in Collide shows and/or understudy roles. Throughout the program, dancers will have an opportunity to be mentored by Collide’s artistic staff, train alongside professional Company members, and receive education that is individually tailored to their goals and needs. The technical classes include a variety of styles rooted in ballet and jazz, including tap, acting for dance, hip-hop, and more. Apprentice dancers will also have an opportunity to participate in quarterly master classes with Broadway touring dance captains and industry professionals.

This is a tuition-based program. Scholarships are available for underrepresented artists. Participants must be over the age of 18. Enrollment is competitive and audition-based.

To be considered, please submit a video of you dancing (ideally jazz or ballet) to auditions@collidetheatrical.org. Videos should be under 2 minutes long. Please also include in your email a performance/education resume and a headshot, if you have them.

Erin Thompson Teaches Advanced Contemporary Classes in Person and on Zoom

Erin’s advanced-level contemporary dance class through Zenon Dance School includes floor work, standing warm-ups, and phrase work, all designed to enhance the healthy use of joints and muscle groups as dancers release their weight fully into the support of the ground. Experiential awareness, body mapping, improvisation, and creative work are included as dancers channel their own expressive artistry within the movement.

Thursdays, 9:30-11:00am

Registration is open through Zenon’s MindBody portal.
See you soon!

Modern Dance Class with Thern at Tapestry

Dancing and finding pleasure in movement is for everyone of any age!

I’ve taught dance for all ages and experience levels for over fifty years. In my weekly session of modern dance classes, we’ll be working with somatic movement, structured improvisation, and floor work to build strength, flexibility, and ease of movement. You’ll learn patterns that move through space in community with other dancers, encouraging spatial and group awareness.

Mondays, 12:00-1:30pm

Drop in: $15-20. Cash or check made out to Kathryn Anderson.