Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre (RMDT) was founded by Atlanta dance pioneer Ruth Mitchell in 1956 and is proudly one of Georgia's oldest non-profit arts organizations. Through Ms. Mitchell's leadership and creativity, RMDT became well known as a leading provider of quality dance performances and dance training in the Southeast. Upon Ruth Mitchell's retirement in 1999, Lisa Toups was named artistic director of Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre. Under Ms. Toups' guidance, RMDT continued to expand its repertoire in the areas of jazz, modern, and contemporary dance. In celebration of its 55th season, the company's name was changed to what it is today: Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre (GMDT).
In 2014, Ashleigh Whitworth was named as artistic director of GMDT. As a previous dance student of both Ruth Mitchell and Lisa Toups, Ms. Whitworth strives to continue the legacy of providing high quality dance training and performances in Metro Atlanta, as well as to educate, cultivate, and inspire through dance.
Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre is housed in the studios of Georgia Dance Conservatory on the historic Marietta Square, and produces three major productions a year. GMDT provides the Metro Atlanta community with cutting edge dance works, family-oriented ballets and its wildly popular production of The Nutcracker, which has come to mark the unofficial start of the holiday season. The company has also proudly produced many dancers who continued to dance professionally with companies such as The Atlanta Ballet, The Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre, and The Martha Graham Dance Company, as well as on Broadway. Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre aims to continue celebrating life through dance for many more years to come!
Mission
Educate, cultivate, and inspire through dance.
