Archive: Workshops, Intensives, Master Classes, and Open Houses

The UNDERTOW Butoh Confluence 2026—the first event of this kind in Minnesota—will be presented at the Center for the Performing Arts from Friday, August 14—Sunday, August 16. Co-produced by Masanari Kawahara and Lelis Brito, this gathering explores under-currents in the Butoh performance diaspora and includes a workshop, artist talk, and a Butoh Cabaret with local luminaries of weirdness.

Friday, August 14 from 6:00-9:00pm
Saturday, August 15 from 10:00am-9:00pm
Sunday, August 16 from 10:00am-9:00pm
Location: Center for Performing Arts

Register here.
Questions? Email undertowbutohconfluence@gmail.com

Workshop Description
Immerse yourself in the fascinating aesthetics and physicality of Butoh dance while utilizing improvisation. Dancers will be guided to use aspects of Butoh to explore ideas of space and time, create physical movements inspired by natural phenomena and approach the dancing body from a non-western perspective that emphasizes mindful movement and interconnectedness with nature. The dance material is the essence of our bodies; water, air, bone, muscle, and skin—leading us into form and texture through a flow of sensations in space, time, and dynamics.

About Iván-Daniel Espinosa
As a choreographer and performance studies scholar, Iván-Daniel writes about and creates work engaged with ecology, mushrooms and fungi, Japanese Butoh, Eco-dramaturgy, Bioperformativity, and interspecies performance.  Iván-Daniel’s PhD dissertation research examines interspecies relationships between human beings and mycelium fungi through the lenses of choreography and performance.  This interdisciplinary research highlights how ‘fungal choreographies’ create ecological and cultural meaning in diverse human and non-human environments, including in the context of theatrical performances that engage with fungi.

Explore your relationship to water, community, and change through embodied learning.

Developed by interdisciplinary artist and choreographer, Victoria Bradford Styrbicki, the workshop draws from her semaphore-inspired choreographic framework, in which coded gestures communicate messages that cannot always be spoken aloud.

The workshop introduces attendees to the idea that water holds memory—of storms, pollution, healing, migration, and care—and that our own bodies also carry stories shaped by our environments. Using simple movement scores, flag-based signaling, and creative improvisation, participants translate feelings such as grief, resilience, fear, and hope into physical form.

The workshop concludes with a facilitated dialogue connecting the movement work to how environmental change mirrors the emotional and social changes in our own lives—and how collective action, like collective movement, can shape healthier futures for both water and community.

Saturdays, August 15 and 29 
9:00-11:00am
Instructor: Victoria Bradford Styrbicki
Space is limited. This event is free, but registration is required. Children ages 10 and up accompanied by an adult are welcome.

Join guest artist Marcus Jarrell Willis for a Community Class at TU Dance Center.

Modern/Contemporary Community Class Description: Classes are a blend of familiar Horton-based technique exercises with other modern release forms combined with an exploration of the continuous development of Willis’ signature language through Gestural and contemporary forms of Modern Dance movement.

Community Class: Saturday, August 15, 10:00-11:30am
Cost: $20
Registration is required.

Marcus Jarrell Willis joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as Artistic Director in October 2023. His full-length production, Inside Giovanni’s Room, gained a nomination for Best Dance Production at the 2025 Black British Theatre Awards. Subsequently, Phoenix Dance Theatre was nominated as Best Mid-Scale Dance Company at the 2026 Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards UK.

Willis, inspired by the breadth and depth of the human experience, remains focused on uniting people through the art of dance, with “Nothing to Prove… Only to Share”.

Full bio and more about: Marcus Jarrell Willis
Photo by: Hugo Glendinning

Fosse Workshop
Mondays, August 17 and 24, at 7:00pm
Location: Sol Creative Performing Arts Studio

Step into the world and choreography of Bob Fosse! Stage and movie musicals include: The Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, CHICAGO, Dancin’, Pippin, and All That Jazz. From the “broken doll walk” to teacup fingers and jazz hands, this class will teach you dance that became what is known today as the “Fosse Style”.

Please wear the signature Fosse all black dance clothes; jazz shoes, jazz sneakers or heels.

Warm up, Fosse technique and choreography will be taught.
Limited spots available. Sign up our website.
Cost: $25 each class

We invite you to an open training session with the Ananya Dance Theatre Ensemble, led by ADT’s Rehearsal Associate, Alexandra Eady. Alex expertly curates mobility drills, Pilates, and Yorchhā exercises to condition the full body for dynamic performance. Whether you dance, play sports, or lead an active lifestyle, these Open Company Training sessions are an opportunity to enhance agility, strength, and stamina in a joyful collective setting!

Wednesday, August 19, 4:30-5:45pm

Recommended for: Those with an ongoing movement practice looking to build strength and stamina in a communal environment.

Pricing: This is a donation-based class with a suggested donation of $15. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Accessibility: Please reach out to us at admin@ananyadancetheatre.org to request ASL interpretation, captioning, audio description, or any other accessibility service. We recommend making accessibility requests a minimum of 10 business days before the class or event you plan to attend.

Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT) invites you to a very special Advanced Ballet Technique and Partnering/Variations class with American Ballet Theatre’s Ingrid Thoms and Cameron McCun!

This opportunity is part of MDT’s new Acclaimed Artist Series, which welcomes celebrated dancers, teachers, choreographers, and artistic leaders from the world’s most respected ballet companies to work directly with our students and the broader Twin Cities community. Details are below; we hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 19
9:30-11:00am: Advanced Technique Class
11:00am-12:00pm: Advanced Partnering/Variations Class
Technique only: $35
Technique and Partnering/Variations: $50

For ages 13+, space is limited, and registration is first come, first served, so we encourage you to reserve your spot as soon as possible. Register today to reserve your spot!

We would love to invite you to take part in the INSTINCT movement intensive, a one-week immersive workshop with ARENA DANCES taking place August 24-28 at The ARENA.

This intensive is designed for high-intermediate to advanced dancers. It includes daily company-led movement classes followed by an in-depth rehearsal process centered around an excerpt of “One Room” alongside professional company members. Together, participants will explore instinct, imagination, force of movement, and kinetic response through physical investigation.

Daily Schedule
9:30-11:00am — Class
11:00am-1:15pm — Rehearsal (1)
1:15-1:45pm — Lunch Break
1:45-3:00pm — Rehearsal (2)

Tuition
Registration: $525

Inspired by Ananya Dance Theatre’s current work, PREM | Love: An Occupation, this two-part workshop explores the ways public love is professed through the stories of occupation and liberation that tie people and place together.

The first session on Thursday, August 27, begins with a movement meditation led by Ananya Chatterjea and Kealoha Ferreira, then moves into collage-making, led by Jay Claire. We will assemble a communal collaged River Tapestry as we consider the ripple effects of our own stories and actions of love for place and each other.

In the second session on Wednesday, September 2, celebrated singer/songwriter Mankwe Ndosi will teach musical phrases from the song she composed for Ananya Dance Theatre’s fall show, PREM | Love: An Occupation, and Ananya Chatterjea will share simple gestures of choreography. This gathering culminates in an outdoor procession through Cedar Riverside, with the River Tapestry created in previous workshops. Through public singing, gestures, and offerings, we will express a transformative public love for water and all of life.

This workshop is free to attend. All ages are welcome! Attending both workshops is encouraged but not required.

Location: Barbara Barker Center for Dance
Accessibility: Please reach out to us at admin@ananyadancetheatre.org to request translation, ASL interpretation, captioning, audio description, or any other accessibility service. We recommend making accessibility requests a minimum of 10 business days before the class or event you plan to attend.

Are you a singer/”mover” dancer? Do you struggle with choreography retention when you go into a Dance Audition? Have you ever said, “If I just had a little more time, I would’ve been able to get it!”

This class is for you! Learn valuable tips and dance terms to help you develop skills with your dance choreography retention!

Thursday, August 27 from 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: $40
Sign up required.

Warm up, technique, progression retention, and mock audition choreography included. Wear workout clothing, jazz shoes/jazz sneakers or character shoes. No bare feet or just socks.

Bring your resume and headshot.

Ashley Ballet Arts Academy’s (ABAA) Nutcracker Preparation classes are a great way to prepare yourself to audition for our annual Nutcracker Performance held at the Ted Mann Concert Hall.

Classes are divided by age. Each age group has class 2 out of 4 days of prep week.

Tuesday, September 1—Friday, September 4
Ages 5-7: Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30-5:30pm
Ages 8-10: Wednesday and Friday at 4:30-6:00pm
Ages 11-13: Wednesday and Friday at 6:00-8:00pm
Ages 11-13, Pointe: Wednesday and Friday at 8:00-8:45pm
Ages 14+: Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30-8:00pm
Ages 14+, Pointe: Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00-9:00pm

Auditions are held on September 12 from 9:00am-4:30pm. Time slots are determined by age. Students must be registered for at least one ABAA Academy Season Class to participate in the ABAA Nutcracker.