MAY 29 – 30, 2026
Terra Papagalli
In collaboration with
Early Music Now
Danceworks Performance MKE
Aperi Animam
About the show
DPMKE joins forces with Early Music Now and Aperi Animam, under the music direction of guest Brazilian Conductor Sergio Dias, for a collaboration unlike any other.
TERRA PAPAGALLI features rarely heard and, in many cases, never-before-performed Baroque music from colonial Brazil, bringing vibrant, long-silent music to life through an evening of world premiere dance works. This full-length concert features original choreography by Artistic Director Christal Wagner alongside DPMKE’s four Artistic Coordinators: Katelyn Altmann, Cuauhtli Ramírez Castro, Ashley Ray Garcia, and Zoe Mei Glise. Together, these artists respond to Brazil’s Baroque soundscape with bold, contemporary movement taking an avian inspired approach to the musical repertoire.
Location
ZELAZO CENTER’S
HELEN BADER CONCERT HALL
2419 East Kenwood Blvd
Milwaukee, WI 53211 United States
PAST PERFORMANCES
OCT 27 – 29, 2023
Boundless
October 27-29, 2023
Danceworks Studio Theatre
1661 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
FEB 29 – MAR 3, 2024
Biome
created by Gina Laurenzi
February 29 – March 3, 2024
at Danceworks Studio Theatre
1661 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Milwaukee Magazine Preview
Preview – Shepherd Express
Review – Shepherd Express
MAY 17-19, 2024
Dixit Dominus and Cantos with Aperi Animam
May 17-19, 2024
at Calvary Presbyterian Church
935 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Preview – Shepherd Express
Review – Shepherd Express
Reflections – Jonathan Brodie
AUG 17 – 18, 2024
Rhythmworks: Mosaic Motions
LOCATION: Danceworks Studio Theatre
Preview – CBS 58
Preview – Real Milwaukee
Review – Shepherd Express
presented by DanceLAB
OCTOBER 5, 2024
GET IT OUT THERE | FALL
LOCATION: Danceworks Studio Theatre
SHOWTIMES
OCT 5, 5pm – SHOW A
OCT 5, 8pm – SHOW B
ABOUT THE SHOW
GET IT OUT THERE is a biannual concert series spotlighting the bold voices of emerging and established artists in the greater Milwaukee area and Midwest. From innovative choreography and captivating performances to vibrant music and screendance, this series celebrates new and daring works. Join us on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, for two UNIQUE concerts at the Danceworks Studio Theatre, where fresh talent meets creative expression. Presented as part of the Danceworks DanceLAB series, this event promises a night of artistic curiosity.
Show A, 5pm
Audrey Dudek
Jo Brockway (She/Her)
Koree Brosig
Alecia Corey and Jamie Erickson
Ashley Ray Garcia (She Her)
Lia Smith-Redmann (She/Her)
Natalie Stehly (She/Her)
Lavanyaa Surendar
Danceworks Apprentice MKE
Show B, 8pm
Katelyn Altmann (She/Her)
Jay Carter
Kasey Eckhardt
Zoe Glise (She/Her)
Jessica Lueck (She/Her)
Catey Ott Thompson
Maya Paletta (She/Her)
Gayle Rocz (She/Her)
Rae Zimmerli (She/Her)
Casey Joan Kollman (She/They)
presented by DanceLAB
OCTOBER 12, 2024
DIPC’s Fall Showcase
LOCATION: Danceworks Studio Theatre
SHOWTIMES
OCT 12, 7pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
Danceworks Intergenerational Performance Company (DIPC), is a company of community dancers with a desire to explore movement and performance. The company is made up of participants spanning several generations and a shared passion for movement. The ensemble explores dance-making, improvisation and performance concepts led by Danceworks co-artististic directors, Gina Laurenzi & Christal Wagner.
The Fall Showcase is DIPC’s first solo concert and features choreography by co-artistic directors, Laurenzi and Wagner, as well as collaborative works by the collective, and choreography by DIPC members, Annie Wegner LeFort and Tom Hjelmgren. Come support the wonderful artists of DIPC as they share an evening of dance!
Created by in collaboration with Danceworks Intergenerational Performance Company
NOV 7 – 10, 2024
dis/connect
LOCATION:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
Preview – Shepherd Express
Review – Shepherd Express
SHOWTIMES
Nov 7th, 7:30pm
Nov 8th, 7:30pm
Nov 9th, 5pm
Nov 9th, 8pm
Nov 10th, 5pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
Siblings and artists, Gina Laurenzi (Danceworks co-artistic director) and Dustin Laurenzi (Chicago musician and composer), amplify the Danceworks space creating a world of a wondrous nature. Performers cross between two studio spaces, inciting playful happenings and curious incidents allowing space for imagination to flourish through an experience of sound and color. dis/connect interrupts our dependence on technology revealing the wondrous positive effects of reconnection with self, others, and the environment in real time.
Joining the Danceworks stage are musicians Dustin Laurenzi and Jeff Swanson who create structured improvisatory soundscapes, melding acoustic and synthesized instrumentation. Drawing equally from traditions of free improvised music as well as electronic and sample-based music, the duo seamlessly weave earthy and otherworldly sounds into intricate textures.
Created by Gina Laurenzi
in collaboration with Danceworks Performance MKE
DEC 14 – 15, 2024
A Winter’s Tale
Presented by Danceworks Youth Performance Company and Guests Making Music Vocal Arts
LOCATION:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
SHOWTIMES
Sat, Dec 14th, 2024 at 4:30 pm – SOLD OUT
Sat, Dec 14th, 2024 at 6:30 pm – SOLD OUT
Sun, Dec 15th, 2024 at 2:30 pm – SOLD OUT
Sun, Dec 15th, 2024 at 4:30 pm – SOLD OUT
ABOUT THE SHOW
Experience the magic of the season as Danceworks Youth Performance Company and featured studio classes take you on a journey through a snowy wonderland, brought to life with the beauty of dance. The stage will come alive with a mix of dance styles from ballet and contemporary to tap and hip hop to provide fun for the whole family.
Join us for a toe-tapping, heartwarming magical experience that will leave you filled with the wonder of the season.
FEB 14 – 23, 2025
RUSALKA
in Collaboration with Milwaukee Opera Theatre
LOCATION:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
SHOWTIMES
Friday, Feb 14 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 15 – 4:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 16 – 2:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 16 – 6:00 PM
Friday, Feb 21 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 22 – 4:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 23 – 2:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 23 – 6:00 PM
ABOUT THE SHOW
Danceworks Performance MKE (DPMKE) and Milwaukee Opera Theatre (MOT) take the stage to revisit the tale of Rusalka: a water nymph determined to find love by way of magic, featuring singing sprites, dancing goblins, and Jason Powell as The Moon. Rooted in Slavic folklore, and packed with ravishing music, Rusalka remains Antonín Dvořák’s best known opera. This tale’s classic arias will accompany a modern day restructuring of the story by Powell, with singing in Czech, speaking in English, and dancing in…dance! MOT and DPMKE’s 8th collaboration introduces an all new cast of dancers and choreography, while featuring the beloved actors from the 2023 Rusalka premiere.
MARCH 15, 2025
DANCEWORKS GALA
LOCATION:
Calvary Presbyterian Church
ABOUT THE EVENING
Dress to impress and savor artfully crafted cocktails and delectable bites while exploring exciting support opportunities, including a silent auction, dancer sponsorships and a wine pull! The evening will feature captivating live performances choreographed by Gina Laurenzi, featuring Danceworks Performance MKE, Danceworks Apprentice Performance Company, and music by Allen Russell, as well as the premiere of a new film directed by Christal Wagner and showcasing the apprentice company. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration—secure your tickets today!
Support Danceworks in our endeavor to increase access to the transformative power of dance, expand our audiences, and build a lifelong participation in the arts!
APRIL 5, 2025
GET IT OUT THERE | SPRING
Saturday, April 5
presented by DanceLAB
LOCATION:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
SHOWTIMES
APRIL 5, 5pm – SHOW A
APRIL 5, 8pm – SHOW B
ABOUT THE SHOW
GET IT OUT THERE is a biannual concert series spotlighting the bold voices of emerging and established artists in the greater Milwaukee area and Midwest. Featuring innovative choreography and captivating performances, this series celebrates new and daring works.
Join us on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, for two UNIQUE concerts at the Danceworks Studio Theatre, where fresh talent meets creative expression. Presented as part of the Danceworks DanceLAB series, this event promises a night of artistic curiosity.
Program A:
Catey Ott Thompson
Katie Speltz
Adelaide Wateski
Lia Smith-Redmann
Tracey Gessner
Elise Rose Leonard
Maya Hirsig-Smith
Libby Steckmesser
Calla Beverly
Danceworks Intergenerational Performance Company
Program B:
Katelyn Altmann
Madison Curtis
Zoe Mei Glise
Charlotte Reynolds
Mallory Ebbens
Koree Brosig
Simon Eichinger
Kayla Siedlecki
Colin Gawronski
Julia Richter & Angela Weidner
Tom Hjelmgren
MAY 22 – 24 2025
FABLES FROM THE WIDE SKY
with guests DIPC and DYPC and Danceworks Apprentice MKE
This concert was generously sponsored by Tim and Sue Frautschi.
LOCATION:
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
325 W Walnut St
Milwaukee, WI 53212
SHOWTIMES
MAY 22, 7:30pm
May 23, 7:30pm
May 24, 2:30pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
What are the mysteries and folklore we cling to and hold as universal truths? Familiar and unfamiliar anthropomorphic tales, known as fables, reflect the moral compass guiding us and shaping our perspectives of the world. DPMKE invites audiences to witness wild storytelling through movement. This performance delves deep into the folklore that binds us viewed through an imaginative lens curated by the company’s dancers and Co-Artistic Directors.
A special collaboration between Cuauhtli Ramírez Castro and the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra brings the symphonic classic “Huapango,” by José Pablo Moncayo García to life, offering a vibrant investigation into folklore and fables of Mexican origin through song and dance. Additionally, Milwaukee native and guest choreographer Peter Stathas creates a world premiere piece developed for the company.
Moving performances from the Danceworks Intergenerational Performance Company and Danceworks Apprentice MKE round out an evening where myth, music, and movement converge and reveal the shared stories that define us all.
JULY 19-20, 2025
RHYTHMWORKS 2025
LOCATION:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
1661 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
SHOWTIMES
Saturday, July 19: 4:30pm
Sunday, July 20: 2pm & 6pm
ABOUT THE SHOW
From the intricate footwork of classical North Indian Kathak to the upbeat charm of Charleston Swing to the electrifying energy of K-Pop and Hip Hop, this vibrant showcase brings rhythm to life. Featuring performances from Danceworks Studio’s Summer Performance Workshop Series in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, K-Pop, and a joyful spotlight on our youth workshop performers, Rhythmworks celebrates the global beat that connects us all.
Performers:
Pate Patrice Nasalaang
Varsha Prasad
Cyenthia Vijayakumar
Christal Wagner
MkeMe Crew
Jazz Performance Workshop
Teen Performance Workshop
K-Pop Performance Workshop
Musical Theatre Performance Workshop
Hip Hop Performance Workshop
AUGUST 8-10, 2025
Danceworks On Tap presents: Rhythms Remembered –
A Tribute to Amy Brinkman-Sustache
LOCATION:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
1661 N. Water St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
View the Program
Shepherd Express Review
SHOWTIMES
Friday, August 8: 7pm Sold out!
Saturday, August 9: 4pm Sold out!
Saturday, August 9: 7pm Sold out!
Sunday, August 10: 2:30pm Sold out!
ABOUT THE SHOW
Join us for a heartfelt evening of rhythm, movement, and celebration as we honor the extraordinary legacy of Amy Brinkman-Sustache—a visionary artist, beloved teacher, and an inspiring pillar of Milwaukee’s dance community. Danceworks On Tap proudly celebrates 25 years of education, performance, and community—a milestone made possible by Amy’s passion and unwavering commitment to sustaining the art of tap dance. This special performance features a selection of pieces choreographed by Amy over the past 25 years, showcasing the evolution of her artistry and the impact she has had on generations of dancers.
Rhythms Remembered is more than a concert—it’s a tribute to Amy’s creative spirit, a celebration of the countless lives she has touched, and a joyous expression of the vibrant energy she shared with us, both on and off the stage.
NOV. 22 – 23, 2025
Echoes of Hope
Presented by Danceworks Performance MKE and Violins of Hope Wisconsin
LOCATION:
Calvary Presbyterian Church
MEET OUR COLLABORATORS
Violins of Hope-Wisconsin residency presented by MYSO
Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra
Gute Freynt Klezmer Band and Allen Russell
ABOUT THE SHOW
Echoes of Hope is presented by Danceworks Performance MKE in collaboration with Violins of Hope Wisconsin whose mission is to bring the community a once-in-a-lifetime experience – to hear the stories of instruments owned and played by Jewish musicians and others targeted by the Nazis before and during the Holocaust, through educational and cultural programs and exhibits – to foster understanding.
In Echoes Of Hope – Danceworks Performance MKE presents an entire concert of world premiere works which explore the moment when silence becomes complicity, and speaking out carries risk. Each piece reveals the unseen toll of oppression, the truths we bury to feel safe, and the haunting echoes of ignorance. In collaboration with Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra and Gute Freynt Klezmer Band, DPMKE incorporates dancers from our professional and intergenerational companies to honor the resilience of Holocaust-era musicians, drawing historical context into contemporary performance.
Each performance will be followed by a 20-minute talkback.
DECEMBER 13, 2025
Once Upon a Snowfall
Presented by Danceworks Youth Performance Company
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
325 W Walnut St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
ABOUT THE SHOW
Step into a world of winter magic as Danceworks Youth Performance
Company, featured studio classes and Making Music Vocal Arts take you on a journey through a snowy wonderland, brought to life with the beauty of dance and vocal arts. The stage will come alive with a mix of singing and dance styles from ballet and contemporary to tap and hip hop to provide fun for the whole
family. Join us for a joyful celebration of the season — a dazzling experience filled with warmth, wonder, and the sparkle of the season!
MARCH 13-15, 2026
The 8th House
Presented by Danceworks Performance Company
LOCATION:
Calvary Presbyterian Church
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Magic 8 Ball says concentrate and ask again later…
Featuring the work of the Danceworks creative team—Katelyn Altmann, Cuauhtli Ramírez Castro, Ashley Ray Garcia, Zoe Mei Glise, Christal Wagner and guest choreographer David Roman, Danceworks Performance MKE explores the mysterious significance of the number 8. Inspired by the forces of astrology, tarot, rebirth and transformation, The 8th House invites audiences into a world where movement becomes a ritual of letting go and a dance with destiny itself. Each phrase, each choice, unfolds like a divination by unraveling stories of power, mystery, and rebirth.
Choreography is not dictated but revealed through embodiment of tension and beauty while living in a state of perpetual possibility.
MARCH 21, 2026
Get It Out There
Presented by the Danceworks DanceLAB
LOCATION:
The Falcon Bowl
ABOUT THE SHOW
A biannual concert series by Danceworks’ DanceLAB showcasing bold, innovative choreography and captivating performances from emerging and established artists across Milwaukee and the Midwest. This Spring season features two unique concerts on March 21st at the Falcon Bowl, highlighting diverse voices in the Milwaukee dance community. Audiences will experience fresh, daring choreography and performances while having the unique opportunity to engage directly with the artists by providing written feedback, helping shape the creative process. Each concert offers a different lineup, making this a unique and dynamic celebration of creativity and collaboration in Milwaukee’s vibrant arts community.