Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Gary Peterson Season 1 Episode 20

Gary Peterson has been a part of Minnesota’s dance community
for nearly 40 years. In addition to his work as managing director
of Ananya Dance Theatre and research collaborator with Dr. Ananya
Chatterjea, he has served as dance student, consultant, and as
executive director of James Sewell Ballet, Zorongo Flamenco Dance
Theatre, Zenon Dance Company, and the Southern Theater. He has
produced professional dance performances at more than 300
domestic and international venues, including seven New York City
engagements, Bermuda, Iceland, and Ethiopia. Gary’s perspectives
are informed by experiences in law office management, legislative
lobbying, federal multidistrict litigation, political candidacy,
public affairs radio broadcasting, newspaper publishing, and by
public service on the Washington staff of Senator Hubert H.
Humphrey. In 2017-18, he secured the location and led the
build-out of Ananya Dance Theatre’s Shawngram Institute for
Performance & Social Justice in Saint Paul. He holds a BA
degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, and serves
as a director of the Friends of the University of Minnesota
Libraries.