Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre

Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre, formerly known as Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, is proud to be known as one of Georgia’s oldest non-profit organizations. In 1956, Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre (RMDT) was founded by Atlanta dance pioneer Ruth Mitchell. Through Ms. Mitchell's leadership and creativity, RMDT became well known as a leading provider of quality dance training and performances in the Southeast. Former students have danced professionally with The Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre, The Martha Graham Dance Company, DanceSpora Dance Company, as well as on Broadway.

In 1999, Lisa A. Toups became the Artistic Director. Under the direction of Ms. Toups, the company broadened its original focus of classical ballet and jazz to include modern, contemporary ballet, and musical theater. With Ms. Toups leadership, the company changed its name to Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre (GMDT) in celebration of its 55th season. In 2012, Ashleigh Whitworth was appointed as the Assistant Artistic Director, and starting in the 2014 season, Ms. Whitworth has been elevated to the role of Artistic Director. Ms. Toups will remain a part of the company as Artistic Director Emeritus. Through the vision of directors Lisa Toups and Ashleigh Whitworth, GMDT routinely commissions local, national, and international choreographers to set new works for the company and continually seeks to collaborate with other performing artists.

Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre continues the "Ruth Mitchell" legacy of providing high quality dance in Metro Atlanta. Housed in the studios of Georgia Dance Conservatory on the historic Marietta Square, GMDT produces three major productions a year. The company provides Metro Atlanta audiences with cutting edge works, family-oriented ballets and its wildly popular production of The Nutcracker, which has come to mark the unofficial start of the holiday season.

Since 1966, GMDT has held the distinction of "Honor Company" with Southeast Regional Ballet Association (SERBA). In 2007, the company had the privilege of performing in Cobb County's 175th Anniversary Celebration at the new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. In 2009, GMDT performed in the first annual Heroes Awards presented by the Grammy's National Academy of Recording Artists. GMDT was also featured in the Atlanta Symphony's educational video for the Metro Atlanta school system. The company has and continues to perform in numerous festivals, including the Inman Park Festival, Spoleto, Art in the Park, and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame summer series. In 2011, GMDT was presented with the Cobb County Outstanding Ensemble Arts Organization Ovation Award. Most recently, GMDT dancers were featured in Cartoon Network’s 2013 Holiday Card, shown on national television.