DalekoArts

Who We Are

Our Story

DalekoArts was a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit founded in 2012 by theatre artists Ben Thietje and Amanda White as a way to help decentralize professional theatre in Minnesota. The company ceased operations following its 2023 season.

New Prague was chosen as the company's home due to the community's extraordinary interest in theatre, the regional growth and development it has experienced in the last decade, its relative proximity to the Twin Cities, and its close ties to the founders.

"Daleko" — a Czech word meaning "far away" — reflects New Prague's strong bohemian roots, its spatial relationship to the cultural hub that is the Twin Cities, and the ensemble's desire to step back and examine the world from a new point of view.

DalekoArts was a proud member of the Theatre Communications Group.

  • Ben Thietje
    Executive Director

    Amanda White
    Artistic Director

  • Patrick Kozicky (President)
    Lori Deihl (Vice President)
    Alecia Scharback (Secretary)
    Matt McNabb (Treasurer)
    Bobby Gardner
    Sarah Kallal
    Paran Kashani
    Kendra Rasmusson

    Ben Thietje (ex officio)
    Amanda White (ex officio)

  • (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022)

    Income
    contribution — $52,202
    program income — $42,227
    grants — $124,609
    other income — 12,996
    TOTAL INCOME — $232,034

    Expenses
    artistic development — $471
    insurance — $7,304
    promotion — $4,325
    general administration — $60,743
    production expense — $35,976
    production stipends — $44,100
    business expenses — $8,500
    travel — $1,350
    facilities & equipment — $23,254
    other expenses — $13,014
    TOTAL EXPENSE — $199,037

    NET INCOME — $32,997

Our Mission

DalekoArts (DELL-uh-koh) works with professional theatre artists to pursue impactful, live performance in our community of New Prague, Minnesota and the surrounding region.

Our Vision

Our purpose is to decentralize professional theatre in Minnesota by increasing engagement and opportunity in New Prague and the surrounding area. It is our dream that New Prague will be a known destination for quality performing arts and arts education.

Core Values

  • We welcome all people.

  • We believe in fostering a strong and deep connection with our community.

  • We believe that theatre can cultivate dialogue, honor culture and diverse ways of being, and deepen empathy.

  • We train and work under a great and spirited legacy: the rich heritage of Midwestern artists.

  • We pursue artistic excellence.

  • We hire artists who live with grace, kindness, and respect from the audition room through the final performance.

Our Venue

The Prague Theater was the town cinema from the early 1900s until the late '80s when it closed. Since that time, it's been a video store, tanning salon, photography studio...you name it. In the fall of 2014, DalekoArts turned it into a community gathering place once again, in the form of a charming, 78-seat performance venue.

The Prague Theater
110 Main Street East
New Prague, MN 56071