Our mission is to foster understanding and awareness of world cultures through the re-creation and presentation of traditional ethnic dance and music.
We believe that ethnic music and dance are true affirmations of human artistic expression. Many of the cultures which are represented in our programs are currently in great conflict. Through our performances, we acknowledge the inherent beauty and dignity of all peoples.
Ethnic Dance Theatre (EDT) is an award-winning company dedicated to the artistic performance and preservation of world music, song and dance.
Since its founding in 1974, EDT has brought over 50 different cultures and traditions to life in colorful and spellbinding performances. EDT dancers perform to live music by the EDT Folk Orchestra, and the company’s extensive repertoire of folk dance and music includes such diverse countries as Austria, Albania, Bulgaria, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tibet, Turkey, Russia, Uzbekistan and Ukraine–to name but a few!
Each year, the company presents as many as 30 programs,including full ensemble performances, smaller ensemble programs, school workshops, residencies and lecture-demonstrations. In celebration of the enduring nature of folk dance as a participatory activity, the company also hosts annual community dance parties where audience members explore their own cultural traditions as well as those of others through dance and cuisine.
The majority of EDT’s performers are also active in either the wider arts community and/or in various ethnic communities of the Minneapolis and St. Paul area and beyond. EDT performers’ involvement in the wider community is crucial to the many bridges that have been built between EDT and the arts and ethnic communities in our region and beyond.
EDT also has an award-winning costume collection that is, in addition to the incredible talent of EDT performers, the pride and joy of the company.