Minnesota Dance Theatre

Founded in 1962 by Loyce Houlton, Minnesota Dance Theatre & School is a flagship dance company in Minnesota, having achieved recognition both locally and abroad for performances that feature a range of classical and contemporary dance.

Since 1995, Loyce’s daughter Lise Houlton has led the organization, commissioning new works and drawing from an eclectic repertory of dance masterworks. The MDT school operates in vital partnership with the company, providing students with high quality training, performance opportunities, and mentorship from company dancers.

A testament to MDT’s stature as one of Minnesota’s cultural treasures are two golden moments in its history: the fifty-year anniversary of its founding and the landmark fifty years of Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy, recognized as the longest-running holiday arts event in Minnesota, entertaining over 1.6 million people since 1964.