April 16, 2013

Governance and management change at Ananya Dance Theatre

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—The directors of Ananya Dance Theatre (“ADT”), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have elected Gina Kundan as chair of the board of directors. She succeeds Anne Jin Soo Preston, who held the post for two years.

Gina Kundan
Photo V. Paul Virtucio

Kundan joined ADT as a founding dancer in 2004, and also served in the volunteer role of organizational director for seven years. She directs the Center for Health Interprofessional Programs at the University of Minnesota. Kundan holds a BFA degree in dance from Wright State University, a MA degree in social theory from Hamline University, and is pursuing an MPA degree at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

New ADT directors include Anitra Cottledge, Marlina Gonzalez, Prachee Mukherjee, and David Mura. Continuing directors include Robert Lynn, CPA, and Gary Peterson.

Members of Ananya Dance Theatre
Photo V. Paul Virtucio

In addition to Preston, departing, long-time directors include Ayanna Muata, Kimberly Simon, and Lori Young-Williams. Muata served as board chair for six years.

ADT also has named Peterson to the new post of managing director. He succeeds Jessica Briggs who served as program manager for nearly five years. Peterson served previously as chief administrator of Zenon Dance Company, Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, and the Southern Theater.

“I shall be ever grateful to all of these dedicated colleagues who are moving on to other good things in their lives,” said Ananya Chatterjea, ADT’s founder and artistic director.

“All have contributed immeasurably to our organizational progress,” she said. “Muata and Briggs, because of their dedication and longevity were instrumental in creating ADT’s infrastructure and processes.”

Chatterjea added, “I welcome the newcomers to our ranks and thank them and the continuing directors. It is both humbling and an honor to walk and work with those who share a passion for artistic excellence and social justice.”

L-to-R: Jessica Briggs, Ananya Chatterjea

ADT creates dance theater works that tell the metaphoric stories of women’s lives with a trademark emotional intensity and physical prowess that draw upon the company’s contemporary choreographic aesthetic and technique. This aesthetic explores and celebrates feminine energy at the intersection of artistic excellence and social justice.

Ananya Dance Theatre is supported by ArtsLab, a program of Arts Midwest. The program provides a two-year immersion for selected non-profit arts organizations with training on leadership, adaptation, management, and technology.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

This activity is funded, in part, by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund.

Ananya Dance Theatre, in partnership with Mankwe Ndosi, is a fiscal year 2013 recipient of a Cultural Community Partnership grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.