Support Us

Why support Katha Dance Theatre?

Katha Dance Theatre (KDT)’s mission is to inspire, captivate, and educate audiences about the beautiful Kathak dance tradition while expanding its artistic boundaries, making it more inclusive and accessible to all. We could not fulfill our mission without your generosity.

Last year’s performance of Panchatantra – The Dancing Tales of Wisdom exemplified so much about the essence of our mission: to pass down the Kathak tradition to future generations of artists and incorporate diverse influences and voices as open and accessible to all. This was our largest-scale production in the history of KDT, with 42 intergenerational dancers comprised of our Company, apprentices, and students, even some as young as eight years old. Along with a cross-cultural composing team, costumes imported from India and original artwork by a Minnesota-based artist, Panchatantra distilled Artistic Director Rita Mustaphi’s pioneering vision of Kathak dance.

This is important work we could not do without your continued support, especially given our hugely successful performance of Prakritir Pratisodh – Nature’s Revenge on November 8-9, which incorporated real-world, contemporary issues into traditional Kathak choreography. 

But why should you give today?

We recently expanded into a beautiful new studio, and with its larger size and increased expenses (including the construction of a stage), we need your support to ensure we can continue providing our crucial performance and educational programming. Our performances, like Panchatantra and Nature’s Revenge!, give everyone from all walks of life access to a cultural tradition that may open their eyes to diverse artistic voices and build stronger, more united communities. But our dance school is just as important as our onstage work, as it fosters a community of Kathak’s future artistic leaders. 

We’re depending on your generosity to raise $5,000 today, taking our total funds raised on GiveMN to $14,000.

In addition to funding performances like Nature’s Revenge, your donation will go toward the following areas of focus:

• Help us with the costs incurred by leasing and renovating our new studio space so it best serves our entire dance community, including the construction of an in-studio stage for casual performances and community use

• Strengthen our capacity to present touring performances locally and nationally, bringing the beauty of pure Kathak to communities nationwide

• Support our ongoing goal to provide affordable and/or free performance options for our audiences, increasing our accessibility

• Provide scholarships, upgraded technology and advance our outreach programming, extending our reach to diverse communities.

Again, your donation is tax deductible, as Katha Dance Theatre is organized as a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3). Our federal tax ID is 36-3557119.

Donor Benefits

• KDT gratefully recognizes all donations $75+ with exclusive content and events. Listed benefits do not affect the tax-deductibility of gifts. All contributions to Katha Dance are 100% tax deductible unless otherwise specified. All benefit events and opportunities are subject to availability. 
• Friends Circle
  • Supporters ($75 – $199)
    • Recognition throughout the season on kathadance.org
    • Be the first to hear about KDT events through our e-communications
    • Recognition in printed programs at our public events
  • Enthusiasts ($200 – $349)
    • All benefits included at the Supporters level
    • Opportunities to observe Company rehearsals
    • NOTE: This donor level helps provide scholarships to students in need
• Dancers Circle
  • Apprentices ($350 – $499)
    • All benefits included in the Friends Circle
    • Opportunities for meet-and-greets with Rita Mustaphi and the Company and/or post-show parties.
    • NOTE: This donor level helps provide affordable and/or free performance options for our audiences, increasing our accessibility
  • Company ($500 – $1000)
    • All benefits included at the Apprentice level
    • Opportunities to attend dress rehearsals for Company performances at the studio and/or performance venue, or discounted tickets to performances (if available).
    • NOTE: This donor level helps promote performances locally and nationally, bringing the beauty of pure Kathak to communities nationwide.

Donate Now

Your donation is tax deductible, as Katha Dance Theatre is organized as a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3). Our federal tax ID is 36-3557119. We also ask that you check with your employer before you give to see if they offer a gift-matching program. Further, a recurring monthly donation is a great way to show your long-term support for KDT.

Donate now online:
Via PayPal
Via GiveMN

Or, mail a check to:

Katha Dance Theatre Office

5444 Orchard Ave North

Crystal, MN 55429

Other Ways to Support

Attend Our Shows

The purchase of a ticket to one of our shows helps us monetarily, but more importantly, your presence in the audience embodies our artistic goal of making Kathak widely inclusive, relevant and accessible.

Book Us

Are you a presenter looking to flesh out your season schedule? A corporate employee looking for a workplace retreat activity? Get in touch to book a tour stop or outreach program with KDT.

Take a Class With Us

Watching a performance is one thing, but trying Kathak for yourself takes the art form to another level! Reach out to learn about our class offerings.

Our Funders

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Katha Dance Theatre also exists due to the generous support of the following funders:

Thank you for empowering Katha Dance Theatre to develop modern Kathak dance culture!