DANCE THEATRE MD
Dance Theatre produces visually refined contemporary dance pieces from classic fairy tales for children to contemporary dance pieces for adults
The Story
Dance Theatre MD, the only professional dance theatre in Tampere and the Pirkanmaa region, was formed in 1997, as two Tampere-based dance companies, Mobita (1972) and Dansco (1988), were joined together. MD is funded by the Finnish government and the city of Tampere,
The people
MD has a permanent staff of eight people: dancer-choreographers Suvi Eloranta, Anniina Kumpuniemi, Samuli Roininen and Mari Rosendahl, sales assistant Paula Haajanen, production secretary Pauliina Leppinen, chief lighing technician Sari Mayer and sound technician Jonne Nieminen. MD’s artistic direction is in the hands of the theatre’s permanent dance artists.
Otherwise the theatre is maintained by a supporting association with chairman Hanna Rosendahl at the helm. The other board members in 2021 are Suvi Eloranta, Mervi Juutilainen, Sari Mayer, Pasi Mäkinen, Elise Pedersen, Martti Silvennoinen and Minna Sirnö.
Hällä Stage video:
Performances in Finland and abroad
MD produces ca. 80 shows on its home stage annually and 20 more on tour. In addition, the dancers are frequent visitors in various theatre and opera productions. MD also plays host to the annual Tampere Dance Current contemporary dance festival.
In addition to performances in Finland, MD`s productions -for example Dancing Moominvalley by Samuli Roininen, 400 steps, Clapperboard and Little Toyshop by Mari Rosendahl, have visited Sweden, China, Germany and Estonia among other countries.
Most of Dance Theatre MD’s performances are suitable for all without languagebarriers.
Co-operation and partners
MD´s dancer-choreographers make co-operation as on a more or less regular basis with other theatres and operas in Tampere and in Finland such as TTT-theatre, Tampere Opera, Tampere Music Academy, Vaasa City Theatre and Finnish National Opera among others.
Dance Theatre MD is a member of Finland Festivals, Pirfest, Tampere – the Theatre Capital of Finland -team, Children´s Tampere and the Association of Finnish Theatres.