Faces of Duluth tells the stories of the people behind Duluth’s iconic attractions, hidden gems and everything in between. Faces of Duluth provides the locals’ tips and tricks for seeing all the city has to offer.
Karl von Rabenau is the creative force behind the Minnesota Ballet. After spending much of his childhood in Duluth, he traveled across the country as a professional dancer and teacher before being called back to Duluth to serve as Minnesota Ballet’s Artistic Director. Read on to hear his story and find out how the Minnesota Ballet contributes to the vibrant art scene of Duluth while making dance something everyone can enjoy.
What’s your Duluth story?
My father was stationed in Duluth after his tour in Vietnam, and we lived here for much of my childhood. My parents were prominent members of the local artist community, so my brothers and I grew up in a household that stressed the importance of the arts.
After seeing “The Nutcracker” at the DECC in December 1981, I began training at Minnesota Ballet. I continued training with Minnesota Ballet and augmented with weekly Saturday solo bus trips to Minneapolis to take classes at Minnesota Dance Theatre. After attending the Boston Ballet Summer Intensive in 1984, my family moved to Boston so I could further my dance education there.
My dance career took me all over the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. The last stop was Milwaukee Ballet, where I retired from performing and began my teaching career. I spent 27 years in Milwaukee as a dancer and teacher, and met my wife and started a family there. After accepting Minnesota Ballet’s Artistic Director position in 2019, I brought my family back to the town I call home.
Tell us about Minnesota Ballet.
Minnesota Ballet is looking forward to celebrating its 60th anniversary next year. This Duluth-based company has grown from a dream to give Duluth students more performance opportunities into a fully professional ballet company, employing a minimum of 10 full-time professional dancers. Its school, Minnesota Ballet Academy, offers the highest quality dance training and opportunities for young aspiring dancers to follow their passion. Our Academy not only emphasizes physical training, but also teaches our students about the value of art and how it nourishes lives.
Tell us about your role as Artistic Executive Director of Minnesota Ballet. What is a typical day like?
I wear a lot of hats, ensuring we are meeting our artistic and financial goals. Our company dancers work a full-time schedule, including a daily class to stay in peak physical condition and 4+ hours of rehearsal to better their technique and artistry. I split the teaching and rehearsal schedule with the Ballet Master Jennifer Miller. From there, I plan performances and coordinate with our amazing board members on fundraisers, marketing and more. Three times a week, I teach the highest levels in Minnesota Ballet Academy, which helps me see how our students are progressing and how they can be involved in the Company productions. Outside of the organization, I am involved in local committees, boards and collaborations, hoping to show our community that we want all boats to rise together. We have a vibrant community and we want to be a positive part of it.
What upcoming performances does the Minnesota Ballet have?
We are transitioning from our unique production of “POE” to our annual offering of “The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale.” Our unique take on this production puts Duluth in the spotlight. We also have an exciting lineup for Spring 2025, featuring a program of smaller works choreographed by Company dancers and anchored by a ballet called “Harvest Moon.” At the end of February, we invite students ages 8-18 to join us in our studios for a week-long camp. No dance experience is necessary – the only thing students need to bring is their curiosity of dance. At the end of the week the dancers will share the stage in a public performance with the professional dancers of Minnesota Ballet. Our season will conclude with a world premiere, “Romeo and Juliet.” With sweeping music, flashing sword fights and a classic tale, it is sure to be a can’t-miss show. In April, we are also very honored to collaborate with Lake Arts Project, a nonprofit organization that uses dance and art as healing modalities for veterans and at-risk youth.
What can people expect when they go to a Minnesota Ballet Show?
Our audiences will be treated to a passionate, energetic and entertaining performance that will whisk them away for a few hours. Whether it be a family classic like “The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale” or something that delves into more personal themes, we offer something for everyone.
We hope that our audience comes away with a sense that dance is for everyone. It’s not just tutus and pink tights with dancers far away from the audience. When we host performances in our Studio Four space, the audience is so close to the dancers they can really feel the energy that the dancers are putting into each movement. Because of this, the audience cannot help but be a participant in that moment.
Who would you recommend comes to the Ballet?
We invite all ages to come to a ballet/dance performance. This profession, dancers and dance in general, for far too long has been viewed as elitist and inaccessible. It is not. Minnesota Ballet, like many other dance companies, is working to break down those barriers with the offerings we present each year. Yes, there are “traditional” story ballets, but dance is so much more. We strive to present works that are relatable to all audiences during our season.
In addition to shows, how can folks experience the Minnesota Ballet, and where can they follow along online?
Beyond our performance season, we offer classes for ages 3 and up, and in addition to our student-based programming, we have a wonderful Open Division that has ballet, tap and modern classes for beginners and experienced dancers alike.
Our Studio Four space offers a wide range of entertainment. Whether hosting Nerd Night, private events, or Homegrown Music Festival, there is always something happening in that space. We will be hosting our second annual International Dance Day in April and our Emerging Artist Series later in 2025.
Following us on Facebook and Instagram will give you glimpses of what we are preparing for and little snippets of what happens behind the scenes here at the Ballet. You will get to “meet” the dancers and get occasional peeks that show our community we are just like everyone: A lot of fun!
What is something people may find surprising about the Minnesota Ballet?
We are a full-time company of 14-20 dancers, which makes us one of the largest professional ballet companies in the state. We have dancers from all over the country plus a few international dancers who make Duluth their home year-round. We are not guests who come and go – we want to be a part of the Duluth community.
What do you love about Duluth?
I grew up seeing Lake Superior every day and played on its shores as often as possible. It is such a powerful force in Duluth, and I missed it immensely when I moved away. When it comes to everyday life in Duluth, I am always amazed at how much this city has to offer – from arts organizations to sports. I grew up enjoying hockey from a young age and still love watching. It is so fulfilling for me to be able to share all these unique aspects and the beauty of Duluth with my children and wife.
What do you enjoy doing in Duluth?
I enjoy relaxing at the lake shore with my family. We are fortunate to live right next to Chester Creek, so we walk through there as often as possible.
Then there is food. Every dancer will tell you about the amazing food they have eaten in Duluth, whether it be The Boat Club, Duluth Grill, Black Woods, Oasis Del Norte or the myriad of other independent restaurants in town. And there are wonderful food trucks like The Rambler.
As far as arts and culture, we have really enjoyed Duluth Playhouse and UMD Department of Theatre shows. We also enjoy Lyric Opera of The North, and I am hoping we can attend a performance at the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra soon. We are looking forward to collaborating with them on a few shows this season – that will be a real treat!
What do you like to do in Duluth with out-of-town visitors?
I like to take them along Skyline Parkway and to Enger Tower, then stop along the Lakewalk and visit many of Duluth’s great restaurants. There is nothing that beats the natural beauty of our area.