Oni Dance; photo by Denise Leitner
Though Milwaukee is a small city by comparison, it definitely maintains a vital network of invested and community-oriented artists and organizations that lead towards paths for active engagement in performing arts. The best way to get oriented is to become familiar with the three online resources: MKE Dance Theatre Network, MARN, and Wisconsin Dance Council. This way you can find out about performances, workshops, and performance opportunities. As in most cities, the best way to build a network is by attending performances and classes and starting conversations at those events. Many dance artists are deeply committed to collaboration, so making acquaintances with artists that you are interested in and letting them know your interest is the key to finding opportunities.
MKE Dance Theatre Network – Web resource linking dance and theater artists in Milwaukee, listing of local artists and companies, class and performance calendar, and local performing opportunities.
MARN – Milwaukee Arts Resource Network – 501(c)3 nonprofit art-service organization that provides professional development tools and resources for visual art, theater, music, dance, film, design, and literature.
Wisconsin Dance Council – Nonprofit organization promoting dance, dance education, performance, conferences, master classes, and training scholarships.
Milwaukee Arts Board – The City of Milwaukee Arts Board is devoted to conserving public art and the city’s cultural heritage.
Where to Train - Organizations & Companies:
Note: ** indicates that the company offers or has offered open opportunities for training
** Danceworks, Inc. – Dance Studio and Theater Space
Danceworks Performance Company - a Contemporary Repertory Dance Company, Artistic Director Dani Kuepper
** Ko-thi Dance Theater & Ton Ko-Thi Dance – African Dance Company, Youth Company, and community classes
Wild Space Dance Company – Artistic Director Debra Loewen
Daniel Burkholder | The Playground
Hyperlocal MKE – Co-curators Maria Gillespie and Tim Russell
Quasimondo Physical Theater – Artistic Directors Brian Rott and Jessi Miller
** Cooperative Performance Milwaukee – Artistic Directors Don Russell and Kelly Coffey
Radermacher Dance Company – Artistic Director Kelly Radermacher
Panadanza – Artistic Director Karlies Kelley
Dance Circus – Artistic Director Betty Saluman
** UW-Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts, Department of Dance – Many classes are available for non-majors to register for (modern, tap, ballet, African, aerial, yoga, Pilates, Alexander Technique). If you connect to instructors and gain permission by verifying appropriate skill, it is possible to participate in certain classes where appropriate with discretion of the instructor. If allowed, you can purchase class tickets at the PSOA box office in the Mainstage Theater Lobby. Phone: 414-229-1122
** Cardinal Stritch University – In Theatre BA program, classes in Theatre Dance are offered.
** Marquette University – in Theatre Arts, a Dance Minor is offered
Studios
Note: These studios offer open classes and/or rental space for rehearsals
- Pink House (Yoga, Ecstatic Dance, African, Drumming, Contact Improvisation)
- Delaware House (Ballroom, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Bachata, Capoeria, Samba, Yoga, Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture)
- Invivo (Yoga, Fitness Classes, Personal Training, Physical Therapy, Spa, Massage Therapy)
- Danceworks, Inc.
- Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (Nonprofit organization in support of visual and performing arts and education)
- Dance Circus
How Dancers Get Performing Gigs:
Due to the nature of presenting and funding structures, as well as to the population, Milwaukee dance artists find the most success in forming professional and artistic connections with choreographers and directors by training with them. This takes various forms: studying with professors of dance at UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, or Cardinal Stritch, taking company classes with artistic directors and company members, or participating in workshops held by artists in the community. Opportunities like The Field, and Danceworks’ Get It Out There, are great places to build artistic relationships and for emerging artists’ work to be introduced. Auditions are infrequent, although they do happen from time to time. The most common practice is making connections though attending performances and then participating in workshops and festival performances. The dance community in Milwaukee is very approachable, and most educators and directors are open to inquiry. Building an artistic profile through investing in shared connections in the community seems to be the most direct route to discovering performance opportunities. Additionally, making connections with dance educators and presenters within universities and high schools is a vital link to meeting artists who are active researchers and with these institutions. Milwaukee high schools and universities often feature regular dance and musical theater performance calendars and hire local artists to choreograph them. Again, check the MKE Dance Theatre Network, MARN, and Wisconsin Dance Council for up-to-date announcements.
Opportunities for Emerging Choreographers:
MKE Fringe Festival – http://mkefringe.com/
The Field - MKE chapter direction with Joelle Worm
“Fieldwork is a unique forum for artists to share developing works and exchange feedback, peer to peer. Incisive and stimulating critiques are guided by an experienced facilitator. The session culminates in an open final workshop for invited guests. * Gain new insight into your artwork * Hone your critical perception * Be motivated by a weekly deadline * Perform in an open studio showing”
https://www.facebook.com/The-Field-Milwaukee-164838787040621/
email: milwaukeefield@gmail.com
Get It Out There (Danceworks)
http://danceworksmke.org/performances/dance-lab/
Hyperlocal MKE – curated interdisciplinary improvisation collaborations
Unrehearsed – a monthly music improvisation performance (on occasion has included dancers)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/522920161083303/
Festivals
Venues Where Out of Town Artists Perform and Organizations That Present Them:
- Sharon Wilson Center for the Arts – Brookfield, WI
- Lynden Sculpture Garden – In summer months, the garden and gallery hosts choreographic residencies and performances by local and national dance artists
- Cardinal Stritch
- South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center
Opportunities to Teach Dance:
There are many local dance studios and recreation centers in Milwaukee and surrounding suburbs that offer classes for youth. Danceworks, Inc. has teaching opportunities through their organization to teach dance in public schools.
Local Colleges and Universities with Undergraduate and Graduate Programs:
BA & BFA in Dance, MFA in Performance: Dance, Somatics Minor
Dance minor
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Maria Gillespie is a choreographer, performer, improviser, dance and somatic educator and collaborator. Gillespie's choreography has been presented at venues nationally and internationally including The Ford Amphitheatre, The Getty Museum, the Roy and Edna Disney/Cal Arts Theater, The A.W.A.R.D Show!, UCLA, CalArts, Scripps College, Pomona College, Cal State Long Beach, and Santa Monica College as well as in New York City, Chicago, Tempe, and San Francisco. She has performed and taught at numerous universities as well as internationally in Mexico, Japan, and China. Gillespie received an M.F.A. from UCLA’s Department of World Arts & Cultures and a B.F.A. from SUNY Purchase. She joined the faculty at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts as assistant professor in 2012. www.onidance.org
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Related posts:
Spotlight on MFA Programs: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Sixteen City Guides for Modern Dancers
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Life as a Modern Dancer 
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