The Mark Morris Dance Group Celebrates 15 Years of the Mark Morris Dance Center at its Annual Open House

The Mark Morris Dance Group Celebrates 15 Years of the Mark Morris Dance Center at its Annual Open House

(Brooklyn, NY) – This September, the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) kicks off the 15th anniversary of the Mark Morris Dance Center at its widely popular Open House. The annual event features a day brimming with free events open to the public, in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, on Saturday, September 10 from 9am-5pm.

Visitors can sample the Dance Center's wide range of programming in dance, music, and fitness classes for all ages and levels, with live musical accompaniment. This year the Dance Group will perform the “beautiful, contemplative” (New York Times) Pacific. There will also be performances by the Student Company and participants in two of MMDG’s community programs, Urban Rhythms and Arts Immersion. Attendees will also be able to “Dance with MMDG” and learn sections from Mark Morris’ The Hard Nut, which returns to BAM this December.


“I can’t believe its been 15 years that we’ve been in our wonderful Brooklyn home. We couldn’t be happier to have made the decision to move here. Our dancers, our school, everyone has been so welcomed and supported by the community. Our Open House is our way of saying thanks. Join us and have fun,” says Mark Morris, MMDG Artistic Director/Choreographer.

In addition to free classes and performances, Open House will provide everyone a chance to meet and mingle with faculty and staff, register for children and teen classes at The School, purchase discounted dancewear, and enjoy free food and refreshments provided by local vendors. This year will include a special photo gallery showcasing some of the history of the Dance Center, and of the Dance for PD® program, also celebrating its 15th year. There will also be opportunities to win tickets to local MMDG performances at Lincoln Center and BAM. The Open House serves as the kick-off of MMDG’s year-round commitment to community engagement activities and is an opportunity for everyone to explore, connect, dance, and learn.

Nancy Umanoff, MMDG Executive Director said, “The Mark Morris Dance Center’s success lies with the people from the community who have supported us these last 15 years. Our dance classes for nearly every age and ability, our hugely successful Dance for PD program, our dance and music residencies in city schools and public housing, all these and more are made possible by all those who believe in the mission of the Dance Center and the Mark Morris Dance Group. Our Open House is a big ‘thank you’ for helping us achieve the incredible success we enjoy today.”

Visit mmdg.org/openhouse for more information.