Debina Nath is from India and joined Gateway Dance Theatre in 2021. A Software Engineer by profession, she moved to the States just a few months before she met Penny and was received into the GDT Family. She has been assisting with outreach programs for kids in GDT and now moving to the Rhythms of the World with Penny and Sydney as the Associate Director of Gateway Dance Theatre. She lives in Johnston with her husband Apoorv, enjoying, exploring and traveling around the States.

Nathanial lives in Ames with his partner Albert and their two cats, Jojo and Peri. Nathaniel is a returning actor with GDT and has performed in the 2016 production of Shakuntala. He is proud to be a part of GDT’s mission of promoting diversity and cultural representation in the community. Nathan is currently studying websites at DMAAC but loves being a part of theater whenever he can. Last year he played the part of Judas in the Des Moines Playhouses’ production of the musical “Godspell”.

Mike is a true Iowan and has received a BA in speech communications with a theatre emphasis. He has professionally appeared in Gedney the Minnesota Pickle and with the clowning, drama, and storytelling troupe family of fools. He is the current vice-president of Two River Story Spinners. Mike has been in previous GDT programs like Embrace, and in To Kill a Mockingbird at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Sathya studied Bharatanatyam as a child, she continued her journey with various Gurus. She is a first-generation immigrant from India and has been living in Des Moines for several years. She works in IT and is a student of Yoga & Carnatic Vocal music.

Anita was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and moved to her late husband’s hometown, Des Moines, IA in 1998. Today she is an attorney by day, she enjoys the arts and nature. 

Cynthia, who hails from New York City, is a retired teacher and recently retired as a program coordinator at Creative Visions Human Development Institute, Des Moines. She has been performing on stage since elementary school, and after high school worked with the George Edward Tait Black Massical Music theater group. Cynthia has been a part of GDT since 38 years, performing on stage and serving backstage. 

Timothy (or Tim) has been an Elementary School Music Teacher for over 27 years. He currently teaches at Capitol View Elementary School in Des Moines. He has had the pleasure of being in many shows over the years. His favorite of all time was "Smokey Joes Cafe" at the Des Moines Playhouse. Tim has been in association with GDT for several years.

Isabel Martínez is an immigrant born in Oaxaca, Mexico; and is proud of her indigenous roots. She is the founder of Nuestra Danza sin Fronteras, a women’s folkloric group, and the co-director of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Legal Clinic. She graduated from Grandview University with a B. A. in Human Services and a minor in psychology

Gurpreet was born and raised in India. He is trained in Hindustani classical music and completed his Prabhakar degree at the age of eighteen. He has performed and participated in several competitions and stage shows. He is currently working full-time as a software engineer, but his passion for music and art never fades.

Shakuntala was Jodi’s debut performance with GDT. She played Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, Mona in “Chicago”, and Marmee in “Little Women” at the Des Moines Playhouse. She had received the Playhouses’ Dionysos Award for Outstanding Performance for her title role in “Miss Nelson is Missing”. She is also a singer/songwriter. 

Pooja recently moved from Atlanta to Des Moines to work as a resident physician. Dance is her one true love, and she enjoys all forms including salsa, Bhangra, Bollywood, and Kuchipudi. In her free time, you can find her choreographing and teaching dance. GDT is incredibly happy to have her!

Priya was born in India and moved to the US in 2019. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Dietetics at Iowa State University and is also a part of an internship at Unity Point Health. She loves to dance, read, travel, and try new cuisines. Shakuntala will be her first time with Gateway Dance Theatre. GDT hopes she continues with them in other productions.

Vinanti is from India where she learned Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Kana Bhatt and Sarmishtha Sarkar. She is now a Bharatanatyam, folk dance teacher/choreographer at the “Sutra School of Creative Arts” in Houston, TX where she also teaches Indian Cultural activities. She’s traveled extensively in India, Europe, and the U.S. to perform.

Ace ‘ceon is an upcoming second grader. He loves to play Fortnite on his Nintendo Switch. He is family oriented and enjoys carrying his little sister on his back. Shakuntala was his acting debut.