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Sheila Regan

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Recent content from Sheila Regan
Designer Willy Cessa's lighting shares the spotlight with the dancers in Ragamala Dance Company's world premiere of "Children of Dharma."

Review: Lighting, music and dance bring an ancient epic to life in Ragamala's world premiere

Dance movements in "Children of Dharma" at Northrop have percussive flourish.
Jarod Boltjes is Clyde Barrow and Samantha Watson is Bonnie Parker in Collide Theatrical's "Bonnie & Clyde," which runs through Nov. 3 at Minneapolis'

Review: Collide Theatrical Dance brings athletic skills and artistic touch to 'Bonnie and Clyde'

Dancing to upbeat songs, the dancers showed their theatrical and acrobatic prowess in a high-energy and timely show.
Choreographer Ralph Lemon delves into issues of memory, race and impermanence in the Walker Art Center-commissioned performance, "Tell it anyway."

Cross-disciplinary artist Ralph Lemon returns to Walker Art Center with 2 new commissions

The choreographer will present the performance "Tell it anyway" and video installation "Rant redux."
Ananya Dance Theater will debut “Antaranga: Between You and Me" in St. Paul's O’Shaughnessy Friday before taking the show on the road to three oth

In Ananya Dance's 'Antaranga,' women pave a path for a better world

Through movement and music, the women use love and support to seek liberation and squash rage.
Leslie O’Neill and Dustin Haug perform in "As of Now" Thursday as part of Arena Dances' "Monument" show at Minneapolis' Luminary Arts Center.

Review: Arena Dances' 'Monument' captures a striking range of styles

Artistic director Mathew Janczewski revisits works from the past with new light.
Choreographer and dancer Ranee Ramaswamy in Ragamala Dance Company's "Children of Dharma." The performance is on Nov. 2 at Northrop auditorium.

Top 10 dance performances of fall 2024 in the Twin Cities

They include works by Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ragamala Dance Company, Natalia Fernandes, Ananya Dance Theatre, Emily Michaels King and Ralph Lemon.
Minneapolis-based Black Label Movement rehearses in the dirt near Northrop auditorium for the world premiere of "Battleground," which will be held at

Minnesota-based Black Label Movement prepares for world premiere of 'Battleground' in tilled dirt

The American Dance Festival-commissioned work about America's Forever War is aimed toward finding a new and younger audience.
The photo titled "Dance 2" is also taken by Ryan Stopera. Dancer is Johannah Easley performs in "Ancestral Echoes," produced by The New Renaissance, L

Review: Joe Davis' 'Ancestors Rising: Ascension' seeks freedom with a beat

The Afro-futuristic multimedia production keeps its hopeful message lighthearted.
South Asian Arts & Theater House’s performed "AKS -- Acceptance, Kindness, Support" at Minneapolis' now-closed Cowles Center in 2023. SAATH weaves t

This 'Karma' blends Bollywood dancing and circus routines to celebrate neurodivergents

South Asian Arts & Theater House and Queer Circus MN seek to tell the neurodivergent community's stories authentically.
Alexandra Eady's "Wave," performed at the Southern Theater on Saturday and Sunday, centered on how a community can become a wave when it stands in sol

Review: Dancers move with buoyancy and fluidity in 'Wave' at Southern Theater

Choreographer Alexandra Eady's work weaves together abstraction and clarity at the same time.
Philip Bither, the Walker Art Center's performing arts curator, says his interest in Francophone artists came from attending festivals in France.

Walker Art Center's Philip Bither knighted by France and named a chevalier

The longtime curator, who almost thought the letter relaying the news was junk mail, values the seriousness of the honor promoting arts and culture.
Jazz and gospel come to the fore in Meshell Ndegeocello's theatrical rendition of "No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin," on Dec. 9 at Walker Ar

Walker Art Center's 2024-25 season features Grammy winners and artists from Africa to Asia

The roster includes singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello, composer Caroline Shaw, Pulitzer winner Tyshawn Sorey and performance artist Eiko Otake.
Minnesota Dance Theatre & School was known as Minnesota Dance Theatre until May, when it paused operations as a performance company.

American Ballet Theatre alum Lauren Post to head Minnesota Dance Theatre & School

Houlton family to open auditions beyond MDT for "Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy" this holiday season.
Meryl Zaytoun Murman performs in "Cassandra," a public art project she conducted between 2018-21.

Mississippi River inspires a new site-specific dance piece for McKnight project in Winona

Two Lebanese-American choreographers from different parts of the world explore a shared identity.
World Ballet Company's "Suite From Cinderella," choreographed by Marina Kesler, included colorful costumes, physical humor and a dose of romance. It w

Review: World Ballet Festival delivers big ballets in delightful bite-size pieces in Minneapolis

Chemistry sizzled in "Light Rain." Grief was poignant in "Dying Swan." "Cinderella" was wonderfully silly.
Sylvie/Swanilda is engaged to Francois/Franz in "Coppélia in Paris," but he has his eyes on a woman who is actually a doll.

'Review: Twin Cities Ballet's 'Coppélia in Paris' more on point when it sticks to the narrative

The ballet within a ballet is a riff on the classic "Coppélia" and features strong performances from its leads.
Emily Pitts and Maddie Blessinger perform in "Don't Forget You Are Precious" by choreographer Elayna Waxse.

Minnesota Dance Theatre ends a historic chapter with 'Spring'

The 60-plus old company, started by Loyce Houlton, is halting its dance performances after its May shows for now.
Christine Shevchenko (Giselle) and Calvin Royal III (Albrecht) in American Ballet Theatre's "Giselle," a ballet about love, remorse and forgiveness.

A Twyla Tharp world premiere is part of Northrop's 2024-25 dance season

Ragamala's riff on an Indian epic and a boxing-inspired work from Shamel Pitt are also on the upcoming roster.
Javan Mngrezzo's performance was stunning at James Sewell Ballet's "Pointed Humor" Saturday at St. Paul's O'Shaughnessy.

Review: James Sewell Ballet's 'Pointed Humor' showcases physicality and precision

The performance included unimaginable jumps and elegance.
Karina Eimon and Logan Martin of Oakland Ballet Company perform "Ballet des Porcelaines," which is choreographed by Phil Chan.

'10,000 Dreams' at Northrop seeks to celebrate Asian choreography and end stereotypes

The program, co-curated by Phil Chan, features Washington Ballet, BalletMet and Oakland Ballet Company.
Felicia Wu and Keay Ornelas in Ballet Co.Laboratory's “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Ballet Co.Laboratory presents a steamy and stormy 'Midsummer Night's Dream'

Christian Warner's choreography deconstructs gender roles and questions social structures.
Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca performed at Cowles Center's Goodale Theater in October. At Monday's town hall meeting, Folklorico dancer Kiara Machuc

Twin Cities dance community presses for support ahead of Cowles Center going dark

At a town hall meeting, artists and administrators expressed their concerns and hopes.
Judith H. Shuǐ Xiān and Sam Johnson perform in Red Eye Theater's "Vastnessess."

Review: Red Eye's 'Vastnessess' captures life and death with emotion, TikTok trends and classical styles

Choreographer Valerie Oliveiro evokes her mother's passing and a baby's birth with longing and care.
Collide Theatrical Dance Company' "C.L.U.E." reimagines the classic board game with a modern twist.

This 'C.L.U.E.' has murder, intrigue, pop songs, Tofu the dog and your vote

Audience members have a say about the killer in Regina Peluso's dance parody of the board game.
Emily Pitts and Jayson Douglas from Minnesota Dance Theatre perform in "Carmina Burana."

Minnesota Dance Theatre to end performances after shows in May

The decision was made because of financial difficulties
Choreographer Darrius Strong performed with other dancers from Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre Saturday and Sunday in "The Conference of the Birds" at

Review: Zorongo Flamenco's performance sends a fitting message to soon-to-close Cowles Center

"Conference of Birds" had not only a captivating story but also wonderful solo pieces and music.
When directing "The Mood Room," Big Dance Theater's Annie-B Parson found the process of working with a fashion designer, set designer and a person in

Annie-B Parson explores despair, regret and self-absorption in Walker-commissioned 'Mood Room'

Big Dance Theater's artistic director says she was going for the opposite of improvisation in the work.
Sisters, Noelle and Leila Awadallah started the dance collective called Body Watani.

Freedom, death and displaced homeland inspire Twin Cities sisters' dance project

Leila and Noelle Awadallah also draw on their Palestinian heritage and the Mediterranean Sea for their work.

Dance theater piece 'Paradise' searches for happiness in Minneapolis

Dance theater piece 'Paradise' searches for happiness in Minneapolis

Dance theater piece 'Paradise' searches for happiness in Minneapolis

Physicality and philosophy intertwine in "Paradise" at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.
Sam-Sergio Aros Mitchell, "she who walks on the road to war" 2022, photo by Valerie Oliveiro 

Twin Cities dance troupes explored war, peace, climate change and humanity's resilience

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s “Snow Queen” weaves through weaves through the fairy-tale world of Hans Christian Andersen.

'The Snow Queen' review: Hans Christian Andersen's magical tale of friendship revisited

Ballet Co.Laboratory's take on "The Snow Queen" is a crowd-pleaser.
Isaac José, left, and Peter Snyder rehearse the “Mosquito” dance for Twin Cities Ballet’s “A Minnesota Nutcracker.” The dance will be perfo

Twin Cities ballet companies crack open stereotypes in 'Nutcracker'

They have reworked the second act by replacing costumes, dropping gestures and adding new dances.
Choreographers' Evening 50th Anniversary Curated by Judith Howard and Alanna Morris

Celebrating 50 years of eclectic Minnesota dance at the Walker Art Center

The annual Choreographers Evening gathers local talent for a series of short, wide-ranging performances
Limón Dance Company, Danzas Mexicanas. Photo © Christopher Jones.

Northrop commissions bold new work by the renowned Limón Dance Company

Friday's performances will also highlight University of Minnesota student dancers
Kyiv City Ballet will perform the contemporary piece “Tribute to Peace” when it stops by Northrop Wednesday.

Kyiv City Ballet comes to Northrop in pursuit of peace

It seeks to show the Ukrainian spirit and resilience through its contemporary and traditional pieces.
Maddie Blessinger, Sarah Jordan and Emily Pitts in “Polaris,” choreographed by  Elayna Waxse.

Review: Minnesota Dance Theatre pins down 2 choreographic voices and harmonic sounds

Elayna Waxse and Alexander Hille showcase how a lot can be done with little.
Ananya Dance Theatre will perform “Nün Gherāo: Surrounded by Salt” at the O’Shaughnessy on Sept. 30-Oct 1. The dancers, from left, are Ananya

Ananya Dance Theatre makes a connection between movement and social movements

The company delves into caste discrimination and forced migration in "Nün Gherao."
“Toward Utopia” was performed by Time Track Productions at the Center for Performing Arts in Minneapolis.

Review: Escaping isolation and finding hope in 'Utopia'

Paula Mann's choreography is performed to a moody score and against a backdrop of video projections.
From left, Laura Sukowatey (Crash Dance Productions), Javan Mngrezzo (Rhythmically Speaking and Black Label Movement) and Ray Miller (Black Label Mov

Fall dance scene is abuzz with bold ideas, partnerships, talent

There are also new spaces that companies and performers can rent.
Ananya Dance Theatre will perform “Nün Gherāo: Surrounded by Salt” at the O’Shaughnessy on Sept. 30-Oct 1. The dancers, from left, are Ananya

10 dance performances that leap and bound into fall

It's a season that pops with energy and reflection.
Dustin Haug, Javan Mngrezzo and Betsy Schaefer Roob performed “Thermal: Mediations on Climate Change” Sunday at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Review: Dancers feel the heat of climate change in 'Thermal'

Arena Dances' outdoor iteration explores the consequences of a warming planet.
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Walker Art Center boasts 3 commissions, 4 world premieres and a milestone in 2022-23 season

The roster includes Cécile McLorin Salvant and Andrew Schneider, and "Choreographers' Evening" turns 50.
Lirena Branitski was respected for teaching the most fundamental elements of ballet with artistry.

'Very special' Twin Cities ballet teacher leaves legacy of grace, greatness

Ukrainian-American ballet dancer and educator Lirena Grisha Branitski was known for her dry humor, impeccable technique and distinct accent.
Helen Hatch and Berit Ahlgren choreographed “Bolero Bolero,” a 17-minute original production that is based on the orchestral piece “Boléro”

2 choreographers and 27 dancers bring gold to a parking lot

"Live @ the Shed" links dance movements to the transformational properties of the metal.
Gabby “The Baddie” Abram (back) along with Domino D’Lorion, Adam Salame, Timo Wagner, Scott Stafford and Sharon Picasso performed “Honey” at

Review: 'Honey' blends in metaphoric flavors with delight

The performance at Red Eye pursued expression with luminous flow and pristine technique.
Youssouf Koumbassa dances to drum beats by Fode Bangoura in “Reunion” at the Fakoly conference.

Duniya dances to the beat of West African culture

The Twin Cities troupe wows with flips, complex rhythms and vibrant costumes.
Young Dance, a St. Paul-based dance company and school that has its own abilities program, is among the participants of “Off-Kilter Cabaret: Organ R

'Off-Kilter Cabaret' makes space for artists with disabilities

Off-Leash Area hopes to support people in the community with its new program.
Pramila Vasudevan

Twin Cities artist gets $75K in seed money for a project rooted in plant life

Next summer Pramila Vasudevan will present "Concrete/Prairie" in three St. Paul parks.
Aretha Aoki, Talya Epstein, Cecilia Eliceche, John Hoobyar, Joey Kipp and Jennifer Kjos performed “Solid Objects/Sandwich” at the Walker Art Cente

'Solid Objects' questions the rules of dance performance

Complementary presentations, "Sandwich" and the more formal "Voids," were held at the Walker.
Ballet dancer and choreographer Yuki Tokuda says she expresses her thoughts about the composer’s intentions with her movements.

Choreographer Yuki Tokuda takes the extra step to merge music and movement

The ballet dancer will perform with pianist Rie Tanaka Saturday at Hamline University.

Red Eye Theater starts over at 'a new little pocket for arts' in south Minneapolis

Red Eye Theater starts over at 'a new little pocket for arts' in south Minneapolis

Red Eye Theater starts over at 'a new little pocket for arts' in south Minneapolis

Its relocation to Seward may reflect a shift away from downtown by Twin Cities arts organizations.
Jacob Larsen and So Young An in Martha Graham Dance Company’s “Moon” from “Canticle for Innocent Comedians.” The late Martha Graham has call

Martha Graham Dance Company's creativity is timeless

Review: The troupe brought energy and a pulse to works created decades ago.
Da’Rius Malone, left, and Jarod Boltjes of James Sewell Ballet performed “New Works Project” Friday and Saturday at St. Paul’s O’Shaughnessy

James Sewell Ballet's 'New Works' reflects the power of expression

Review: Haunting music and whimsical sounds accompanied the creative movements.
Benjamin Stewart and Luke Perkins of Twin Cities Ballet perform “The Wall: A Rock Ballet.”

Twin Cities Ballet adds layers of depth to Pink Floyd's 'Wall'

The rock ballet will be performed to live music by tribute band Momentary Lapse of Floyd.
Ranee Ramaswamy left, and her daughters Aparna Ramaswamy, and Ashwini Ramaswamy of Ragamala Dance Company in Minneapolis, Minn., on Wednesday, Feb. 16

How Minnesota's mother-daughter dance company Ragamala earned a spot on the national map

The Ramaswamys bring "Fires of Varanasi" to Northrop after premiering the show last year at the Kennedy Center.
The El Cortez, downtown Vegas's first big resort. Same sign and facade since 1941. What to do in Vegas if you don't travel? Get nuked, tilt a vintage

Can you have fun in Las Vegas on the cheap? Bet on it

Experiencing Sin City at a discount was a gamble that paid off.
“Black Light” by dancer-choreographer Alanna Morris explores birth, death and life transitions while honoring noble ancestry.

Alanna Morris sheds light on sacredness and self-realization

Review: Colors, costumes and the lighting added drama to the Minnesota-based performer's show, "Black Light."
Dance Theatre of Harlem

Review: Dance Theatre of Harlem takes the 'Higher Ground' at Northrop

Stevie Wonder's music, Robert Garland's choreography and well executed movements delight a full house.
Pramila Vasudevan practices a somatic movement at Movo Space in the Ivy Building in Minneapolis. Vasudevan has been honored with a fellowship by the U

For Pramila Vasudevan, dance awakens awareness

The founder of Aniccha Arts has been honored with the United States Artists fellowship for 2022.
Rosy Simas showed her dance ensemble last year how to connect with one another using themes of condolence and grieving in her studio in the Northrup K

Rosy Simas honored for her commitment to the community

The Seneca dance artist is a recipient of this year's United States Artists fellowship.
Leslie Parker performed “A Call to Remember” outside Pillsbury House Theatre.

Twin Cities dance troupes offered catharsis while posing existential questions

The Red Roses surround the Queen of Hearts’ palace and dance to the Waltz of the Flowers music in Ballet Co.Laboratory’s 2019 performance of “Nu

When 'Nutcracker' meets 'Wonderland,' a new friendship forms amid the wonders, mysteries

Review: Ballet Co.Laboratory's production maintains the core of the ballet but decontextualizes some parts.
“Loyce Houlton’s Nutcracker Fantasy” will be performed at the State Theatre Dec. 17-22.

How well do you know the Twin Cities' versions of 'Nutcracker?'

They include the classic interpretation as well as ones with a Rat Queen, Minnesota backdrops and friendly mice.
“Afterwardsness” by the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.

Renowned choreographer Bill T. Jones traces the pandemic in 'Afterwardsness' at U of M

Review: Dancers move around the audience, seated on the Northrop stage.
From left, dancers Gemma Isaacson, Genevieve Waterbury and Marisol Herling of Jagged Moves perform “Touch Code: (Re) Claiming Space.”

A flutist and dancers come together to claim their space in 'Touch Code'

Julie Johnson creates a score that is ominous and relaxing at the same time.
Jumaane Taylor's work at the Twin Cities Tap Festival last week was a nod to the John Coltrane album "A Love Supreme." 

Twin Cities Taps Festival taps into essence of music and rhythm

Review: Dazzling performances included celebrating John Coltrane and Afro-Cuban traditions.
Collide Theatrical’s “Frankenstein” is a dance/theater hybrid with a surprisingly graceful (and female) monster. Betsy Nelson as Mary Shelley, R

A slithering monster brings 'Frankenstein' to life at Minneapolis' Southern Theater

REVIEW: This dance-theater hybrid by Collide is a lot of fun

Dance companies in the Twin Cities are finding space to breathe

Dance companies in the Twin Cities are finding space to breathe

Dance companies in the Twin Cities are finding space to breathe

They are carving out new homes to practice, perform and teach.
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Jose Luis' 'Solo' journey reflects on loss and transformation

REVIEW: The dancer wove eight small pieces together nicely in the 45-minute performance.
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Ananya Dance Theatre continues to be a relentless crusader for social justice

Ananya Dance Theatre uses creative movements to address social justice issues in "Dastak."
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Top 10 Twin Cities dance performances to experience this fall

Maia Maiden

St. Paul's Ordway Center adds a Twin Cities dance powerhouse to its new team

Maia Maiden's popular showcases have brought street-dancing styles into mainstream venues.