Faith: A Dance for Life … Bringing Together Art, Entertainment and Education

As we move closer to Ballet of the Dolls’ performance of Faith: A Dance For Life at the Ordway on Friday, May 4, the dance company’s Artistic Director/Choreographer Myron Johnson is reaching out, with the Ordway, to educators, students, and the Twin Cities community to engage them in the artistic process of creating his new piece.

Ballet of the Dolls Artistic Director Myron Johnson
talks with teachers at a focus group on February 4th

Johnson and the Ordway are providing this unique learning opportunity through a series of open rehearsals, focus groups and discussion sessions. In February, Johnson held a focus group with school teachers to discuss his concept for Faith: A Dance for Life, generating support and ideas, and setting the foundation for translating the performance piece into a multi-cultural learning experience focused on faiths of the world. He also shared his artistic vision with faculty and staff of Macalester College’s Interfaith Council, which led to spirited discussion and intriguing questions about art as a tool for creating cross-cultural awareness and understanding.

Going forward, the Ordway and Ballet of the Dolls are offering various opportunities for the community to engage in the artistic process of Faith: A Dance for Life. They include the following: 

1st Open Rehearsal

Wednesday, March 28, 6 – 7:30pm

Ritz Theater

[345 13th Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis 55413]

2nd Open Rehearsal

Wednesday, April 18, 6 – 7:30pm

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, McKnight Theater

[345 Washington Street, Saint Paul 55102]

3rd Open Rehearsal

Wednesday, April 25, 6 – 7:30pm

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Drake Room

[345 Washington Street, Downtown St. Paul]

*Please enter through the Stage Door on 5th Street

Admission is FREE, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Amy Miller at amiller@ordway.org or 651-282-3017 to reserve your space.

Ballet of the Dolls’ Faith Panel Discussion: Dance Inspired by Faith and Spirituality

Tuesday, April 17

7 – 8:30pm

University of St. Thomas,

Owens Science Hall, 3M Auditorium

Admission is FREE and open to the public

You are invited to a discussion with Ballet of the Dolls’ Artistic Director Myron Johnson and other Twin Cities-based dancers/choreographers who create artistic work inspired by their faith and spirituality. They will share examples of their artistic work and will explain how their styles of choreography evoke images and ideas that correlate with their religions and spiritual beliefs from across the globe.