Impact Report
Jul 2024–Jun 2025
Highlights from the Northrop 2024–25 Season. Photo © Gopher Photo.
The Arts: Essential to a Thriving Minnesota
As we reflect on all of the activities that took place at Northrop during the 2024–25 fiscal year, I am reminded once again of the profound ways the arts shape our lives, strengthen our communities, and fuel our state’s vitality. The arts are not simply enrichment—they are essential to who we are as Minnesotans, and Northrop is proud to stand at the intersection of creativity, education, and community connection.
According to the most recent Creative Minnesota study, our state’s arts and culture sector is a $13.8 billion industry that supports over 138,000 jobs in every corner of the state and touches millions of lives each year. But beyond economic impact, the arts inspire learning, foster understanding, and build pride of place. At Northrop, these effects come to life daily. This season, 87 percent of our audience told us that Northrop is an important pillar in their community. Ninety-one percent said they would feel a sense of loss if Northrop’s programs were no longer available, and that same number said we inspire a sense of community pride. Most touching of all, 82 percent said that attending Northrop events is their way of ensuring this place is preserved for future generations.
These numbers tell a powerful story—one of belonging, shared experiences, and collective investment in something larger than ourselves. From captivating dance and music performances to student matinees that bring classrooms to the stage, and from convenings that spark dialogue to our ever-expanding accessibility programs, Northrop continues to embody the University of Minnesota’s mission of discovery, learning, and public service.
As we look ahead to our centennial in 2029, we carry forward a clear purpose: to advance the value of the arts as a driving force for education, community well-being, and the future prosperity of our state. Together—with our audiences, artists, students, partners, and supporters—we ensure that the arts remain not just alive, but thriving, here in Minnesota and beyond.
I invite you to read on and explore this report to see how your support brings that purpose to life—on our stages, across campus, and throughout our state. Thank you for being part of this enduring legacy and for believing in the transformative power of the arts.
—Kari Schloner, Executive Director
Photo by Tim Rummelhoff.
Rooted in the belief that the arts are essential to the human experience.
Northrop is committed to cultivating intersections between performing arts and education for the benefit of all participants now and for generations to come.
Organizational Values
Inspiration, Excellence, Connectivity, Inclusivity & Collaboration
Our Year at a Glance
Northrop Stages
Northrop Welcomes
Northrop Presents Season Highlights
BalletMet in Seasons. Photo by Studio AURA.
2024–25 Dance, Music & Film Series: Legends, Classics & Bold New Works
The 2024–25 Northrop Dance Series invited audiences to connect, transform, and be inspired through 12 dance performances, featuring renowned touring dance companies from the Twin Cities to Washington, D.C. to New York City and beyond. The Dance Series was rich with variety and breathtaking storytelling, featuring not only a world-premiere performance of the Northrop Centennial Commission Children of Dharma by Ragamala Dance Company, and a Relaxed Matinee performed by Dance Theatre of Harlem, but also a second enthralling Northrop Centennial Commission (BalletMet performing Yue Yin’s Timeless Tide); two events with live, full orchestras; two dance-focused student matinees; and one co-presentation, Shamel Pitts | TRIBE Touch of RED, with our partners from the Walker Art Center.
Northrop’s 2024–25 Music & Film Series started off strong with the announcement and first public performance of our new Northrop Organist Greg Zelek. Two silent films with organ accompaniment proved to expand the audience for the Northrop Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 pipe organ, featuring international rising star from Poland Filip Presseisen, as well as a local favorite, Aaron David Miller. VocalEssence presented powerful songs and stories with an uplifting WITNESS concert, while the second year of the one-of-a-kind pairing from the Liquid Music | Northrop Series broadened our musical horizons with genre-defying performances.
“The wonderful Q&A session with the choreographers made the performance much more meaningful.”—BalletMet audience member
“Relaxed matinees make it possible for us to connect our child with art experiences that he otherwise wouldn't have until he is older. We are so appreciative!”—Dance Theatre of Harlem audience member
“It was the first time I'd been to Northrop in a very long time. The whole vibe was very welcoming, and it was run very well. I had a great time!”—The Cameraman audience member
“Once again, we feel so grateful and fortunate to Northrop & Liquid Music for making cutting-edge musical experimentation accessible to folks in the University community.”—Kali Malone: All Life Long audience member
Dance Spotlight: American Ballet Theatre Provides a “Super” Opportunity
Behind the Curtains of Giselle: From Auditions to Onstage Action
For the performances of American Ballet Theatre’s Giselle on Apr 18–19, 2025, we were pleased to partner with STRINGenius for a live orchestra and with the community at large for an exceptional opportunity to join the cast for the two-night run! These “supernumeraries” aka “supers,” or non-dancing extras, became an integral part of bringing this heart-rending tale of love, remorse, and forgiveness to life.
The call for supers drew an impressive crowd! A total of 160 hopefuls auditioned, culminating in a cast of 31 dedicated supers. This diverse group was a fun mix of UMN faculty, students, local dancers, children, and even three passionate individuals—one from Canada and two from New York—who flew in specifically for the opportunity.
The overwhelming sentiment from our supers was one of gratitude and exhilaration. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“All the staff was extremely gracious and helpful.”
“This was an incredible opportunity and experience! It was an honor to be a small part of a production with a company and dancers that have had a special place in my heart since I first started ballet. I never thought this would be a possibility!”
For many, it was the “sheer experience of creating a performance together with world-class dancers” that was truly exhilarating. They were “mesmerized by the level of professionalism” and relished the chance to “get to know some of the other supers, people who I would have never crossed paths with.”
Voices from the Stage
Kari, a professional dancer herself with Minnesota Dance Theatre, shared a particularly special experience. Gillian Murphy, who performed as Giselle on Friday, has been her idol, making this “a very exciting experience,” and she loved the “behind-the-scenes view.”
John, who flew in from New York City, enjoys seeing world-class shows “for free, up close,” and hearing the “wonderful music” and seeing “world-class dancers.”
Ann from the Division of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science (Medical School); Rozalyn, a graduate student at Minnesota Carlson; and Anna, Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Teaching and Learning, were a few of our participants with UMN ties.
Our youngest supers were especially enthusiastic, and their chaperone, Mary, couldn’t praise them enough: “Amazing kids, so well-behaved. So well-rounded and good listeners.”
- Daniel (age 9): Who rode in the cart, simply declared it was “fun.” (His dad was also a super, and described being “speechless” about the whole experience and so grateful to get to do something so unique with his child.)
- Soraya (age 8): Called it “nice.”
- Eloda (age 10): A seasoned young dancer, found it “very fun” and was “impressed that there’s a lot of people” involved in a big show.
- Everly (age 9): Echoed the sentiment with a resounding “really fun.”
Their stories remind us that art is a collective endeavor, enriched by every single participant. A huge thank you to all our supers for making Giselle an unforgettable experience!
Music Spotlight: Northrop Welcomes a New Organist
Greg Zelek at the Northrop organ. Photo by Greg Helgeson.
Quotes from the Audience:
- “It was a wonderful performance, what a showman … [He] was engaging and educational, and a hoot to hear from. I loved how clear it was that he is sharing his passion. The Northrop staff were all helpful, patient, and kind. I brought my child and everyone was respectful and helpful to him.”
- “This was an outstanding performance by an outstanding artist, and I went away joyful. These performances at the UMN and Northrop are a significant addition to my quality of life here in Minnesota. I'm looking forward to more … “
Your Support in Action
Northrop Centennial Commissions Projects Expand Genres
During the 2024–25 Season, three Northrop Centennial Commissions, funded through generous donations, graced the Northrop stage. In a first for the project, Northrop commissioned Daniel Wohl, an award-winning composer who blends electronics with acoustic instrumentation, to create a new work for our majestic organ. Prelude for an Old Friend, for organ, electronics, and vocals, was performed by John Orfe of Alarm Will Sound as part of the Northrop and Liquid Music Series event: Sun Dogs: Filmmaker and Composer Pairings With Alarm Will Sound. University of Minnesota School of Music students received a unique enrichment opportunity when composers Wohl and Rafiq Bhatia hosted an informal roundtable conversation during their visit to Northrop.
Formed in 2019, the Northrop Centennial Commissions project creates new works and elevates artists leading up to Northrop’s 100-year anniversary in 2029.
Ragamala Dance Company perform Children of Dharma. Photo and video by Ragamala Dance Company.
BalletMet performs Timeless Tide by Yue Yin. Photo by Studio AURA.
An Encore Gala Celebration
The largest annual fundraiser of Northrop’s Season, the Encore Gala: Spring Cocktail Party With American Ballet Theatre (ABT), was a sold-out hit! Northrop’s elegant Memorial Hall provided the setting for guests to mingle while enjoying cocktails/mocktails and a delicious spread of hors d’oeuvres. Guests listened to remarks from ABT’s artistic director, participated in a fundraiser “wine pull,” and delighted in the post-show glow from the spectacular Giselle performance.
Encore supports the Northrop Centennial Commissions project, helping to ensure that artists’ creative works will be seen by audiences and youth in our community for years to come.
Friends of Northrop
Our generous donors help make it possible to continue to provide world-class access to arts and artists, learning opportunities for Minnesota students from elementary through graduate school, and transformative arts experiences to enrich the lives of people in our communities. Become a Friend of Northrop today to support Northrop Centennial Commissions, expand accessibility, amplify underrepresented voices, strengthen community partnerships, supply low-cost tickets and buses for student matinees, and more. We appreciate you!
We gratefully acknowledge the support from Anna M. Heilmaier Foundation, Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, project support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, and RBC Wealth Management. We extend a special thank you to our event sponsors: Graduate Hotel Minneapolis, PNC Bank, and RBC Wealth Management.
Connecting Campus & Community
Photo copyright © 2006 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
UMN Ticketing Services: Reaching Far Beyond Our Stages
By the Numbers
Institute for Advanced Study and Northrop presented Bending Toward Justice: Gandhi’s Influence on the Civil Rights Movement on Feb 20, 2025. Photo by Drew Meyer.
UMN Conversations at Northrop
An initiative coordinated by numerous UMN Twin Cities departments and launched in the fall of 2024, UMN Conversations at Northrop gathers regularly scheduled speaking events under one series name and location.
Most of the 19 Conversations held during the program’s inaugural year were free and were attended by students, community members, faculty, staff, and the generally curious. Topics covered ranged from racial injustice and police reform to dharma and the future of the Mississippi River, as well as highlighted renowned choreographers, musicians, authors, and global health leader, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Presentations included:
- The (In)Justice Series on Just Policing from Institute for Advanced Study.
- The Distinguished Carlson Lecture: An Evening With Dr. Anthony Fauci from The Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
- The Chicano and Latino Studies presentation, An Evening with Award-Winning Journalist & Political Commentator Rosa Alicia Clemente.
Final Round of Applause for Spotlight Series
Institute for Advanced Study and Northrop conducted the final two Spotlight Series events, on the theme of Moving Through Injustice. The Spotlight Series began in 2019 as a collaborative partnership among Northrop, the Institute for Advanced Study, and the University Honors Program.
Offering enrichment and deep dives on topics important to some of the artists in the Northrop Season, the two events in the final Spotlight Series were lively and thought-provoking.
From Dancing Stars to Olympic Rings
With our iconic stage at the heart of the Twin Cities campus, state-of-the-art facilities, comprehensive ticketing services, and top-notch staff, Northrop draws a wide range of touring arts, entertainment, and educational events to the main stage and Best Buy Theater. Stage rental highlights from the 2024–25 school year included:
- Dancing With The Stars Live! 2025 Tour
- Comedian Marcello Hernández, brought in by UMN Homecoming.
- In honor of the upcoming 2026 Summer USA Games being held at sites around UMN, Northrop hosted the Special Olympics Celebration Ceremonies. Check back for more in summer 2026!
- The beloved holiday classic A Minnesota Nutcracker from Twin Cities Ballet.
2024–25 Student Matinees: Inspiring Young Minds Through the Arts
VocalEssence Singers Of This Age (SOTA) lift their voices in the WITNESS Young People’s Concert: Eyes Still on the Prize. Photo © Kyndell Harkness.
Providing Transformative Arts Experiences for Young Learners
A growing body of research highlights the benefits for young people when they have access to arts experiences, and Northrop and our partners are proud to provide engaging and vigorous performing arts education experiences—breaking down barriers and connecting students with the life-changing power of the performing arts. During the 2024–25 school year, Northrop presented five in-person Student Matinees, aimed at K–12 learners, and three of those were also available online. With our partners from Ragamala Dance Company, UMN Marching Band, VocalEssence WITNESS, and BalletMet, these matinees directly impacted at least 7,472 students from 76 schools, including 204 from homeschool programs. Through the generous support of donors and sponsors, we were able to provide subsidies for 63 school buses, covering $16,917 in fees.
Beyond the stage, 123 students directly interacted with Northrop artists through classroom visits, post-performance sessions, and other special events. Additionally, the programs’ reach was expanded far offstage through online efforts, with livestream and on-demand versions of select matinees connecting 3,915 students across 152 classrooms!
This educational video was provided to educators ahead of the Student Matinee: WITNESS: Eyes Still on the Prize performance at Northrop. Photo: VocalEssence Singers Of This Age. Photo © Kyndell Harkness.
Powerful Moments From VocalEssence WITNESS: Eyes Still on the Prize
Reaching K–12 Students in Person & Online
An Arts & Education Hub for University of Minnesota Students
The Northrop Mall on the UMN Twin Cities campus buzzes with student activity. Photo by Melissa Bartz.
From orientation to commencement, many University students begin and end their college experience at Northrop. In Jan 2025, the UMN Office of Enrollment Management and Office of Admissions moved their offices and On-campus Welcome Center to Northrop’s hallowed halls. Now, on-campus tours for prospective students begin right here at the heart of the Twin Cities campus. We are proud to provide a welcoming space—and iconic photo backdrops—for newcomers. Once a Gopher, our quiet corners and student lounges serve as inviting spaces for study sessions and meet-ups, as well as a place to view and/or participate in world-class performances.
Serving University students is a major function of the Northrop Artistic & Community Programs staff. Through the Northrop Across Campus (NAC) program, UMN faculty and staff who incorporate Northrop Season events into their classrooms receive complimentary tickets for entire UMN classes and, sometimes, engagement opportunities with professional performing artists.
UMN Students Onstage
UMN students and student groups are active on the Northrop stages, too. The Indian Student Association, Somali Student Association, Oromo Student Union, and Vietnamese Student Association of Minnesota all presented events during the 2024–25 school year. In an annual tradition for 63 years (so far), the University of Minnesota Marching Band’s concert on the Carlson Family Stage once again pulled out all the stops for their performance. The “Pride of Minnesota” featured more than 320 UMN students onstage.
UMN students enjoy craft time at Study-In 2025. Photo by Melissa Bartz.
Study-In Powers Finals Week
Music Workshop with Third Coast Percussion for the UMN School of Music. Photo by Melissa Bartz.
Cultivating Intersections Between Arts & Education
Forging Strong Community Bonds
Shamel Pitts leads a public In~Practice Movement workshop as part of a partnership with TU Dance. He also worked with TU’s CUL•TI•VATE dancers on a choreographic workshop. Photo by Tony Nelson Photography.
When 87 percent of our audience tells us that Northrop is an important pillar in their community, we strive to make sure our outreach provides everyone with enhanced engagement with touring artists, too. Dance and music workshops, classes, open rehearsals, pre-show lobby activities, and more build community pride and connect us all. Northrop collaborated with 33 community partners this year on 37 engagement events and 45 pre- and post-show enhancements, reaching at least 3,159 participants. Through artist Q&As, lobby musicians, Sensory Friendly and student lounges, plus other fun activities, the entire community could find something to deepen their experience with the performing arts.
In addition to serving UMN and K–12 students and groups, Northrop broadens outreach to include those who otherwise might not have access to the arts. Community partners provided 4,292 free or reduced tickets to Tickets for Kids, HopeKids, Vet Tix, Project Success, smARTpass, and other donation requests.
We would like to thank our valued partners:
African American Leadership Forum, Apple Valley High School, Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), Ballet Co.Laboratory, Battle Creek Middle School, DanceMN, Green Card Voices, Hmong Museum, India Association of Minnesota, James Sewell Ballet, Khazana Gallery, League of Women Voters, Liquid Music, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Minnesota Humanities Center, the Ordway, Pequot Lakes, Project Success, Ragamala Dance Company, the SEAD Project, St. Paul Ballet, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie, Theater Mu, Threads Dance Project, Tickets for Kids, TruArt Speaks, TU Dance, Twin Cities American Guild of Organists (TCAGO), Ukrainian American Community Center, Unlabeled Theatre Company, VocalEssence, the Walker Art Center, and Zenon Dance.
Sari Stories, installed by Northrop partner Khazana Gallery. Photos by Melissa Bartz.
Northrop Opens Its Doors Wide
On Sep 12, 2024, Northrop started the season with a multifaceted, indoor/outdoor, come-one-come-all celebration. As one visitor summed it up: “The Northrop Open House was about the happiest day of my life! I took a dance class from jess pretty; saw [Black Label Movement's] rehearsal outside; engaged in the sound-surround Liquid Music presentation; saw the film on the West Bank architecture; and attended [Jinza Thayer’s] performance of All Hail the Queen, which was particularly resonant in the Northrop spaces of crannies and balconies … loved the whole day!”
The day’s events included performances by Minnesota-based artists and free opportunities to participate in movement and artmaking workshops for people of all ages and abilities. A total of 128 people attended four tours, led by our expert and entertaining staff, showcasing three different areas of Northrop: backstage, the building’s historic architecture, and the pipes of our magnificent organ. The evening ended with the introduction of Greg Zelek in his first organ concert.
Removing Barriers for Artists & Art Patrons
A standing ovation for the VocalEssence WITNESS performance. Photo by Kyndell Harkness.
Northrop hosted one relaxed matinee, six performances were accessible online, large-print programs were made available for 14 performances, 36 events had captions, and 13 provided a Sensory Friendly Lounge.
Expanding Accessibility & Diversity
Reflect & Engage Our Communities
The Northrop Campus & Community Council acts as a resource for Northrop’s future success and growth, ensuring that Northrop builds relationships with and engages the communities where we live, learn, and work. This committed group helps Northrop connect with new audiences and advises on programming that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We thank them for their input and excitement during the 2024–25 Season.
American Ballet Theatre in Giselle at Northrop on Apr 18, 2025. Photo by Studio AURA.
Thank You
Thank you for your steadfast support of Northrop and your commitment to the arts. You make our work possible—and we value each and every way you contribute. We couldn’t provide this impact without you and our partners. Your involvement with Northrop, the University, and surrounding communities helps keep the arts alive for all ages. Our performances, engagements, community involvement, and student matinee programs are possible only because of the support of subscribers, ticket buyers, board members, sponsors, the voters of Minnesota, and the generosity of donors. The lists on our Give page recognize our donors and highlight some of the hundreds of generous contributors who showed their support this past year.
Together, we’re cultivating lasting intersections between the performing arts and education—enriching lives now and for generations to come.
Be a part of inspiring and transforming lives through the power of the arts. Your support makes a difference.
To learn more about making an impact with your donation, sponsorship, or other financial support of Northrop, please contact Director of Development Cynthia Betz at 612-626-7554 or by email at betzx011@umn.edu.