South Asian Arts and Theater House

Our mission is to celebrate cultural diversity and social harmony in the community through the joyful medium of dance, performing arts, and related South Asian cultural traditions.

2012

We were founded as Bollywood Dance Scene by three dynamic dancers who began teaching weekly classes at Tapestry Folkdance Center.

2013

As the class grew in popularity, we began performing as a small group at various community events.

2014 

Our membership exploded in size and we produced a 50+ member cast show called Hi! Hello! Namaste? It was the first Bollywood dance drama ever performed at the Minnesota Fringe Festival and became the highest selling show of the festival.

2015

With a 70+ member cast, we produced Spicy Masala Chai for the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Not only was it the highest selling show of the 2015 festival, but it was also the highest selling show in the history of the Minnesota Fringe Festival! 

2016

With a 90+ member cast, we produced Bezubaan: The Voiceless for the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

2017

We decided to create our own Bollywood performing arts festival called MinneUtsav. Not only did it feature another original Bollywood dance drama called Love You Zindagi with a huge cast, but it also featured a fashion show, an improv comedy show called BollyProv, and workshops for children. One of our goals for the festival was to raise awareness about important social issues!

2018

Once again we hosted MinneUtsav which featured another original Bollywood dance drama called The Land of Maaya, along with the improv comedy show called BollyProv, and more workshops for adults and children. 

2019

We decided to change our name from Bollywood Dance Scene to SAATH, the South Asian Arts & Theater House. (Because we do a lot more than just Bollywood dance!)

2022

We decided to build back our community post pandemic and got back to where we started, MN Fringe. Our show, Desi Heart Crust that explored a Black and Indian relationship and its nuances went on to be the highest selling show at Fringe!