MDT back in business after layoff, St. Paul Pioneer Press

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). Only four of the laid off dancers did not return to the company.

Minnesota Dance Theatre Records
Performing Arts Archives

18-Sep-80

Clipping 1 (Minneapolis Star, Sep 22, 1980):
Local: Renewed dance group plans show
Minnesota Dance Theater, which closed down seven months ago because of financial problems, has resumed rehearsals and plans to present its first performance Oct. 3. The company laid off 23 full-time dancers... 16 dancers have signed 33-week contracts.

Clipping 2 (St. Paul Pioneer Press, Sep 18, 1980):
MDT back in business after layoff
By Bob Protzman, Staff Writer.
The MDT, which had to lay off some 35 employees, including about 20 full-time dancers, in February because of financial problems, has signed 23 dancers to contracts... Under the new 33-week contract, salaries of the lowest-paid dancers have been increased substantially... Artist, $170; solo artist, $250, and principal artist, $320.

Clipping 3 (Associated Press):
Dance company is back in action
Minnesota Dance Theater, which closed seven months ago because of financial problems, has resumed rehearsals and plans to perform Oct. 3.