Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers

About Us

The resident company of Mutual Arts is called Mutual Dance Theatre. The organization also presents other dance companies, but MDT specifically refers to artists living and working in Cincinnati with the Company.

Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers is the result of a 2021 merger between Contemporary Dance Theater (est. 1972 by Jefferson James) and MamLuft&Co. Dance (est. 2007 by Jeanne Mam-Luft). Both organizations began as performing troupes, but in the early 1990s, CDT dissolved its resident company and focused on presenting out-of-town artists while continuing to support local artists in various ways. Today, in its 50th season (adopting numeration from the elder organization), the name Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers emphasizes collaboration, connectedness, and commonalities across individuality. The organization has combined both priorities: growing a virtuosic and viable local company while also bringing nationally-significant art to Cincinnati’s residents.

CDT has presented over 200 dance productions and founder Jefferson James was a recipient of the Scripps Corbett Lifetime Achievement Award. MDT has received awards and accolades from Cincinnati Magazine, CityBeat, and the League of Cincinnati Theatres. In 2015, the Enquirer’s David Lyman named MDT (as MamLuft&Co. Dance) amongst only two other, behemoth organizations (Cincinnati Ballet and Alvin Ailey) as having performed the most “exceptional moments in dance” in Cincinnati. CityBeat editorial staff named the Company the “Best Company Pushing the Envelope” locally in 2012.