Fresh. Challenging. Diverse. Threads Dance Project explores the connections between us all.

A Contemporary Dance Company & Studio in the Heart of Minneapolis-St. Paul

Threads Dance Project was founded by Karen L. Charles with the mission to examine, expose and celebrate the threads that connect us. We achieve our mission through our youth and kids dance classes for ages 4-16, our modern dance and contemporary ballet performances, our opportunities for female and BIPOC choreographers, and by providing space for arts and community building at the Threads Dance Nexus.

“[Karen’s] mission goes beyond ‘just dancing’ to embrace weighty themes like race and gender roles … She translates them into choreography of beauty and soulfulness."

- Pamela Espeland, Star Tribune

Up Next

Our calendar gives you a complete view of upcoming performances, audition deadlines, dance classes, choreography opportunities and more. Visit the calendar.

Featured
Adult Beginning Modern Dance Workshop
Apr 28
Adult Beginning Modern Dance Workshop

Discover the fundamentals of modern dance in a welcoming and supportive environment. This six-week series introduces key techniques such as floor work, center exercises, and basic movement phrases, helping students build strength, coordination, and creative expression.

Designed for beginners and those looking to deepen their confidence in movement, this session is an extension of the early spring series but remains open to new learners.

Bloomington Center for the Arts 2024-25 Discover Dance Series Mainstage Performances
Jun 13
Bloomington Center for the Arts 2024-25 Discover Dance Series Mainstage Performances

Threads Dance Project is part of the 2024/2025 Discover Dance Series, including the June 2025 mainstage performance.

Summer 2025: Creative Connections Project (Ages 4-6)
Jun 16
Summer 2025: Creative Connections Project (Ages 4-6)

Give your child aged 4-6 the gift of dance. Kids will learn the basic techniques of ballet and modern dance, enjoy music and storytelling, and focus on creating positive self-image.

Summer 2025: Young Dancers Project PLUS (Ages 7-12)
Jul 7
Summer 2025: Young Dancers Project PLUS (Ages 7-12)

*The PLUS version of Young Dancers Project includes a specialized hour of focused training and additional repertoire within a smaller cohort of dancers with 2+ years of dance experience. 

Dance Classes

Our NexGen/Youth Dance Project program provides dance classes for kids and teens ages 4-16. Classes teach students how movement can be healing and help students understand and nourish their bodies and minds. Our goal is to develop and nurture the next generation of dance performers, creators, and supporters. Learn more.

Support Local Dance

Be a part of Thread’s mission to examine, expose, and celebrate the threads that connect us. Your donation of any size will help us offer scholarships to BIPOC and low-income youth in our NexGen/Youth Dance Project classes, offer thriving wages to our dance artists, provide opportunities for emerging dance artists, and bring human justice stories to diverse audiences in the Twin Cities and beyond. Give online now or find other ways to support us.