Arts & Culture in Minnetonka

Founded in 2002 by Erik Sanborn, a Minnesota native whose art has taken him to stages across 25 countries, the Metropolitan Ballet curates a company of skilled dancers, some with ties to such prestigious companies as the Bolshoi Ballet. The curriculum is grounded in the Vaganova method of ballet, which emphasizes a strong core and full-body perfection of movement. The company also stays busy with a full season of performances, with lavishly costumed dancers moving through dramatic stories that have ranged from Dracula to The Nutcracker.

Currently celebrating its 45th anniversary season, the Children's Theatre Company remains among North America's premier children's theaters. Over the years, the theater has received a wealth of spirited cheers and distinguished honors, including the 2003 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. In conjunction with the Kennedy Center, the Children's Theatre Company continues its current season with Barrio Grrrl!, a colorful pop musical penned by Quiara Alegria Hudes, the playwright behind the wildly successful hip-hop opus In the Heights. Ana, the plucky 9-year-old protagonist, bounces about her neighborhood with friends, family, an alter ego, and an invisible friend. However, the dynamic between Ana's projections and her person shifts when she realizes that she must deal directly with the reality of her circumstances, unlike the rest of us.

Call the ticket office to reserve seats. You may then pick up your tickets at the box office during business hours or the Will Call area on the night of the performance.

Although it’s known for comedies such as the two-man, 24-character A Tuna Christmas, Actors Theater of Minnesota also places a significant emphasis on education and corporate training. At The Creative Institute, the ensemble trains students how to work theatrical media such as improv and writing into their everyday problem-solving skills.

A union of the local organizations U Film Society and Oak Street Arts, the nonprofit Film Society of Minneapolis/Saint Paul brings an eclectic sampling of international cinema to its members and to the public at its yearly international film festival. The society's crew of film enthusiasts carefully curates a roster of classic, modern, foreign, and locally produced movies to showcase. They screen each year's lineup amid the cushy confines of the St. Anthony Main Theatre, the society's headquarters and site of the festival, which boasts around 400 different films each year and generally draws in more than 100,000 viewers. They further enlighten moviegoers by recruiting industry experts for informative panel discussions, educational events, and tips on how to feed popcorn to onscreen characters.

With diverse backgrounds that include classical ballet, theater, and Renaissance fairs, BurlesqueMN’s instructors can relate to those seeking alternative ways to fit fitness into their schedules. By combining cardio and strength exercises with flirtatious moves, they help students find a positive body image through female empowerment, while increasing stamina at the same time. Many of the burlesque and pole-fitness classes span eight weeks and culminate with a performance showcase where pupils demonstrate their sultry new moves.