Founded in 2005, the New Orleans Society of Dance (NOSD) is a community-centered dance company that identifies, develops, and enriches emerging performing artists while preserving and showcasing the cultural legacy of women’s folk arts in Louisiana. As the official historic preservationist of the Mardi Gras doll-masking tradition, NOSD is home to the acclaimed ensemble The Masking Krewe of Baby Doll Ladies, which works to revive this once-dormant cultural practice and return it to public prominence.

Today, NOSD stands as Louisiana’s most comprehensive source and curator of historic artifacts related to the anthropologically at-risk tradition of doll masquerading. The company operates year-round, offering a robust teaching mission that serves schools, youth organizations, and young adults.

NOSD’s signature ensemble, Millisia White’s New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies, culminates its season with the beloved annual Mardi Gras Dance-Parade, held every Fat Tuesday at 7:45 a.m., a vibrant celebration that fuses tradition, pageantry, and dance.

With over a decade of experience in professional dance and set production, NOSD provides expert services in choreography, talent recruitment, show coordination, and custom cultural performances for both public and private events. The company also collaborates with initiatives that support artist development, cultural education, and social justice—ensuring that dance remains a powerful tool for community empowerment and cultural preservation.