Minnesota Dance Theatre
Dublin Core
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Minnesota Dance Theatre
Collection Items
Loyce Houlton standing with David Voss
Loyce Houlton standing with David Voss in Drosselmeyer costume at a performance of the Nutcracker Fantasy
Photograph was noted by Loyce Houlton to be included in Twilight Tales, in the chapter titled, “Fini”
Loyce Houlton seated with Larry Hayden, photographer and date unknown.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Loyce Houlton
Loyce Houlton photographed during a rehearsal, 1964, photographer unknown.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Photograph was noted by Loyce to be included in Twilight Tales, in the chapter titled, “Interims”
From left to right, depicted in the photo are significant people in Loyce’s life including, Miss Martha Hill from the Department of Dance, Julliard, her husband Dr William Houlton, Jacob’s Pillow Festival Director, John Christian, and Eleanor King,…
Hand drawn birthday card with portrait of Loyce Houlton from Edward VII
“A Portrait of the Artist on Yet Another Non-Birthday”
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Telegram to Loyce Houlton from MDT staff and faculty
An adoring telegram to Loyce Houton, while she was in Berlin, from MDT staff and faculty in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Letter from Lesley Farlow at the New York Public Library
A request of approval to catalog and archive the transcript of the oral history of Loyce Houlton conducted by Judith Ingber.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Immediate Experience: Mrs. Houlton Discusses Dance
“Dancing is the most fragile of all art forms,” Mrs. Houlton said. “It is fragile, you see, because a dancer can’t hang in a museum. We can’t be preserved. The dance is not inanimate; it can’t be placed on top of a desk and studied.”
Minnesota…
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Scenery Notes on Houlton Ballets
Notes on sets designed by Jack Barkla, Judith Cooper, Robert Ellsworth, Donald Yunkers, and Kevin Jones.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Brandenburg spiral lighting design by Judith Cooper
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
The Killing of Susie Creamcheese
MDT performed in Dinkytown during protests against the near-demolition of this beloved location for low-key entertainment. Pictured in the photograph is dancer Marcia Halmers.
The Killing of Susie Creamcheese
Double Exposure of Bobby Crabb, Frances Machal, Marcia Halmers, Sandra Machala.
![Photographs from "Song of the Earth"](https://gallerytemp.reclaim.hosting/files/square_thumbnails/8d47ad2ed860e22f8b00f29ab5fc013b.jpg "Photographs from "Song of the Earth"")
Letter to the board president from Debbie Hammock
A letter of complaint to the company that expresses dissatisfaction with the version of “The Nutcracker,” as presented by the newly formed Northwest Ballet Company (Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Minnesota Dance Theatre). They performed the…
Nutcracker Fantasy photograph
Pictured in the photograph are Marsha Lonstaff, Marna Fletcher, Liisa Mayo, Nikki Gregorian, Jean Johnson, Nairi Gregorian, and Janet Tobias.
Letter to Loyce Houlton from Emilie Buchwald
Guru of Milkweed Editions, Emily Buchwald knew Loyce Houlton because they both operated out of the Hennepin Center for the Arts. One of Buchwald’s daughters also studied at MDT. “I forget from year to year how magnificent Nutcracker is…I get teary…
Godfather of ‘Nutcracker Fantasy’ ageless as his role, The Dispatch
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre News Release
In collaboration with 12 other local dance schools, the Minnesota Dance Theatre planned to break a Guinness World Record, in honor of the newly dedicated Hennepin Center for the Arts.
Tap dancers take to the streets
An estimated 1,600 dancers turned out to do a tap dance routine to "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy," making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people tap-dancing to a single piece of music at the same time. The event was organized and…
The Killing of Susie Creamcheese
MDT performed in Dinkytown during protests against the near-demolition of this beloved location for low-key entertainment.
Dancers performing outside of Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota
MDT performed everywhere--from the grand hall of Northrop auditorium to shelters, in schools, and colleges and universities. The idea was to bring dance to as many people as possible, and to give youth, especially, the opportunity to see dance live.
Letter to Friends from Loyce Houlton
After the second Mid-States Regional Ballet Festival, Loyce was pleasantly surprised to see a review written by Clive Barnes in the Sunday New York Times.
Mid-State regional Ballet Festival
The Minnesota Dance Theatre hosed the second Mid-States Regional Ballet Festival featuring companies from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. These regional festivals eventually led the National Association…
MDT back in business after layoff, St. Paul Pioneer Press
After a more than seven-month layoff, the Minnesota Dance Theater returned for the 1980-81 season. A new contract increased salaries of the lowest-paid dancers, but did not reach union minimums as was hoped ($255 compared with $170 for MDT dancers).…
Minnesota! You must not let Minnesota Dance Theatre and School die!
Statement signed by prominent dancers, dance directors, and companies requesting Minnesota to save MDT, “a major force in the performing arts world.”
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
The Minnesota Dance Theatre is too Beautiful to Die
A statement calling for donations to save MDT, recognized by the National Association of Regional Ballet (NARB) as one of America’s major regional companies.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
The artists of the Twin Cities…, advertisement
Advertisement signed by artists who supported MDT, pleading for the uninterrupted continuation of the company.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Finance Committee meeting minutes
Options for dealing with the severe cash flow problem included large contributions from board members, a budget cut, dissolving the Nutcracker Escrow Fund, and identifying a new artistic director.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts…
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts…
Letter from Sharon Chapman
Letter addresses parents of MDT students in regards to Loyce Houlton's removal as director of MDT and the establishment of the "Houlton Support Group."
Letter from Jean Marie Lindquist to the MDT board of directors
Lindquist, a long time supporter of MDT, expresses her dissatisfaction with the board’s decision to “strip Loyce Houlton of her title and power.”
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
The MDT in Trouble, Twin Cities
MDT announced its decision to layoff the 20-member company for six months due to “bankruptcy and an accompanying loss of credibility,” according to Philip Getts, then president of the board. The board actively searched for other forms of employment…
Monumental Bills?, photo from the Minneapolis Star
When business was slow, Loyce Houlton erected a tombstone in the lobby decorated with an assortment of the company’s bills from creditors rather than flowers.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Loyce Houlton’s daily notes to company
The notes have a good sense of humor mixed with a call for discipline. Loyce often refers to herself as “El Monstroso” as noted in the March 16 note.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Contemporary Dance Playhouse brochure
Includes information about both the school and the performing company, Contemporary Dancers.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Financial statement
One of the first budgets for the Contemporary Dancers.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Studio Fire
The Contemporary Dance Playhouse building in Dinkytown before and after the fire of 1969. The fire obviously destroyed the building. Houlton moved the company into the Hennepin Center for the Arts (formerly an old Masonic temple).
Minnesota…
Minnesota…
Minnesota Dance Theatre booklet
Loyce Houlton kept scrapbooks every year. This booklet about the company was part of the 1971/72 scrapbook. The photographs of the company and apprentices were taken in Spoleto, Italy, and Minneapolis by Myron Papiz.
Company in Italy
MDT travels to Spoleto, Italy, to learn the new dance "Mythical Hunters" by Glen Tetley.
Cedar Seaters sherry reception, photo from the St. Paul Pioneer Press
The event was hosted at the Cedar Village Theatre to kick off ticket sales for the first subscription series of Minnesota Dance Theatre concerts for the 1969-70 season.
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives
Dinkytown Group Has Ability, Determination, Minneapolis Star
This dance review highlights the “Pas Contemporains” performance of the Contemporary Dance Playhouse and their determination as a small, but expanding company. This article is indicative of the local recognition and attention Loyce Houlton’s company…