Nrityagram bringing ancient Indian dance Odissi to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Marcus Performing Arts Center is hosting a weeklong residency with Nrityagram, an acclaimed Indian dance company, to showcase Odissi, one of the world's oldest dance styles.

The residency, taking place from Monday, April 24 through Friday, April 28 will feature workshops, a lecture, student performances and a public performance with a post-show talkback.

Nrityagram, founded as a Gurukula school devoted to Indian dance, has been performing and teaching for over 25 years.

The residency's schedule includes Odissi intermediate and beginner dance classes for youth dancers, a lecture at Swanson Elementary and a student matinee performance for over 1,500 Milwaukee area youth.

Director of programming, John Hassig, says bringing this performance to Milwaukee is essential and a part of their mission. 

"It's really truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see this group preform. To see true, authentic, really world-class India dance in this city, it's not an opportunity that comes along very often, so we encourage people to check it out," said Hassig. 

Tickets for the public performance on April 28 start at $29.50 and can be purchased at MarcusCenter.org or by calling (414) 273-7206.

To register for dance workshops, contact John Hassig, MPAC Director of Programming and Education at [email protected].