Things Are Brewing in the DanceLAB

Danceworks DanceLAB is an experimental performance initiative dedicated to pushing artists and audiences to expand their thinking about dance as an art form.

The focus is on collaboration, fusion of forms and current trends in the field; many events include educational components to encourage artist-to-audience dialogue and participation. Danceworks DanceLAB honors and nurtures the development of new works by dance artists by offering year-round opportunities in the form of performances, internships, mentorships, space access and advocacy for artists serving the Milwaukee community. We stay on the lookout for talented emerging or established dance artists. 

 

DanceLAB Workshops


Upcoming: Get It Out There 2023

Do you have work that you want to get out there? Would you like to get feedback on it? What about meeting other artists in hopes of collaborating? GET IT OUT THERE is a concert featuring new work created by Milwaukee performing artists from various disciplines. Artist who submit a proposal and are selected will showcase their work on Saturday March 25th, 2023 at Danceworks Studio Theatre.

Submit a proposal for get it out there 2023 here

*Proposals are due Friday, January 20, 2023. Artists can expect to be notified of acceptance by Monday, January 23, 2023.

 

What is provided:

  • Production support including sound and minimal lighting design
  • Complimentary photography and archival videography.
  • One 25 minute technical rehearsal.
  • 2 free Danceworks studio classes per week from date of acceptance through March 25th, 2023. (with exception of certain workshops)
  • Limited studio space available for rehearsals at no charge to artist. Up to 3 hours a week. **
  • Audience feedback for each presenting artist.
  • Promotion of artist on Danceworks social media outlets.
** If studio space is reserved outside of regularly scheduled hours, a staffing fee of $18/hour will be charged.

 

Commitment:

  • Accepted artists presenting work for the first time in a Get It Out There concert are required to schedule a feedback session with the production manager, Christal Wagner.
  • Timely submission of program notes, music, and promotional materials.
  • All artists will be expected to submit a video link to show completed work, or work in-progress no later than Monday, March 14th, 2023.
  • Accepted artists that have participated in previous Get It Out There concerts may request mentoring from the production manager at any time during the creation/rehearsal process.

 

Timeline:
T, January 3rd – Call for Participation
F, January 20th – Proposals due
M, January 23rd – Artists notified of acceptance
M, March 14th – Submission of work and program notes due
F, March 18th – Final music submission due

March 20th – 23rd – Tech Rehearsal week (each piece will need to schedule and attend 1, 25-minute tech)
F, March 24th, 7:45pm -10:00pm – Mandatory Dress Rehearsal for all artists
Sa, March 25th, 5:00pm – Call for Performers SHOW A
Sa, March 25th, 6:00pm – PERFORMANCE SHOW A
Sa, March 25th, 7:00pm – Call for Performers SHOW B
Sa, March 25th, 8:00pm – PERFORMANCE SHOW B

 

Questions? Please contact Danceworks Artistic Director, Christal Wagner for more information via email.


Past Performances:

Rhythmworks

ran August 13-14, 2022
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

 

Danceworks brought together a platter of tasty dance techniques and styles with one commonality: complexity of rhythm. In year two of this annual concert, Danceworks on Tap’s sophisticated and electrifying work featured the choreography of Gabi Sustache, Tori Isaac and Anette Smedema and DOT Director, Amy Brinkman. Returning ensembles Aarambh Kathak Dance and McNamara McCarthy Irish Dance each presented 2 new works and new to the Danceworks Studio Theater is Studio K Flamenco with Choreography by Kerensa DeMars featuring live music by collaborator Marija Temo. Midwest’s rising star and West African choreographer Adrean Maxwell (Prince Adrean) joined this powerful showcase. Emerging performers showcased Hip Hop, Tap, and Jazz following the Danceworks’ Performer Workshop Series with Choreography by Rich Ashworth, Gabi Sustache and Gina Laurenzi, who also brought a playful Duet set on Danceworks Performance MKE.

 

Rhythmworks Artists:
Aarambh Kathak Dance; McNamara McCarthy Irish Dance; Studio K Flamenco; Prince Adrean; Danceworks Performance MKE; Danceworks on Tap; Danceworks Performance Workshops

 

>>View the playbill

>>Meet the Artists of Rhythmworks


Get It Out There

ran July 30, 2022
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

 

GET IT OUT THERE is an annual concert of works in progress and finished works by emerging and established artists through the Danceworks DanceLAB Summer Series. This Get It Out There‘s 2 distinct shows featured 12 creators from various disciplines, ranging from Bollywood to Contemporary to Bharatanatyam. Each performance was unique in its presentation and audience members were encouraged to attend both performances.

 

Summer 2022 Artists Selected to present work:
Joan Luciano Vargas; Rae Zimmerli; Kanchana Srinivasan;  Geovanni Virella-Torres; Catey Ott; Desmond Cotton; Catey Ott Dance Collective; Kaitlyn Moore; Katelyn Altmann; Lavanyaa Surendar; Zoe Glise; Gayle Rocz

 

>>View the playbill

>>Meet the Artists of Get It Out There 2022


Rhythmworks

ran August 7-8, 2021
in Danceworks Parking Lot

 

Danceworks brought together a platter of tasty dance techniques and styles with one commonality: complexity of rhythm. From a sly swing beat to a rocking 4/4 rhythm, Danceworks Performance MKE and Danceworks On Tap were joined by guest artists Cyenthia Vijaykumar (Kathak Indian classical dance), McNamara McCarthy School of Irish Dance, and Joshua Yang (Hip Hop) to present to you an exploration of rhythmic styles, ranging from weighted percussion via the soles of the feet to the internal rhythm explored by a soulful body. This concert featured original music and performance by percussionist Paul Westfahl, and breakout flutist Jennifer Rodriguez. If we were to fit this show in the bottle, it would likely burst before you could take a sip!

 

Thank you to our show Sponsors:

  • Premiere Concert Sponsorship by Jane Lewis and Mickey Maier
  • Artist Sponsorship by Bob Balderson
  • In-Kind Sponsorship by Ogden & Company, Inc.

 

>>View the playbill

>>View Artist Bios

>>About the Performances


Get It Out There

ran January 18, 2020
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

Get It Out There presented the hottest new work in our community created by area performing artists from a variety of disciplines. Immediately following each performance, audience members were invited to stick around to mingle and share feedback with artists.

 

 

 

 

>View the 2020 Get It Out There: Program A playbill 

>View the 2020 Get It Out There: Program B & C playbill 


Get It Out There

ran September 12, 2019
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

Get It Out There presented the hottest new work in our community created by area performing artists from a variety of disciplines. Immediately following each performance, audience members were invited to stick around to mingle and share feedback with artists.

 

 

 

 

>View the 2019 Get It Out There playbill 

> View the 2019 DanceLAB: Get It Out There photo album


Movement Media Lab

ran September 8, 2019
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

Local film and video artists showcased dance and movement-focused media projects in a variety of genres, including experimental, narrative, documentary and animation. The Movement Media Lab invited a process-based approach to analyzing and translating choreography/movement to the screen. The lab also looked at the relationship to the body in a 2D format, and highlighted movement through editing.

 

 

 

> View the 2019 Movement Media Lab playbill


 

Danceworks On Tap: Tap Talk

Saturday, August 10, 2019 // 6pm & 8pm
Sunday, August 11, 2019 // 2:30pm & 6pm
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

Presented by Jane Lewis & Mickey Maier 
Additional support from Lamont A. Johnson, Pam Kriger Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, and Bob Balderson

Danceworks On Tap: Tap Talk sent and received messages through rhythmic communication in a dynamic exchange. Unfolding sequences and layers of audible texture create what is most unique about tap dancing — movement your eyes can hear!

 

> View the 2019 Danceworks On Tap: Tap Talk playbill

> View the 2019 Danceworks On Tap: Tap Talk photo album


DanceLAB Teen: Conversations

ran August 3, 2019
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

 

This concert featured original work from Danceworks Youth Performance Company Artistic Manager and Danceworks Performance Company member, Gina Laurenzi. Laurenzi set new choreography, improvisational structures, and infused movement created by dancers throughout to create a unique collaboration with teen artists. Concepts were drawn from both the dancers’ own personal experiences and the moods the music evokes. DanceLAB Teen: Conversations featured the music of Chicago band, Twin Talk.

 

 

> View the 2019 DanceLAB Teen: Conversations playbill

> View the 2019 DanceLAB Teen: Conversations photo album


Ignite: A Hip Hop Dance Experience

ran July 27 – 28, 2019
at the Danceworks Studio Theatre

Presented by an Anonymous Community Donor

 

Ignite continued to blow up the Danceworks Studio Theatre with the area’s best and most exciting hip hop crews for the 7th year in a row! These high energy performances are a DanceLAB favorite.

 

 

 

> View the 2019 Ignite: A Hip Hop Dance Experience playbill

> View the 2019 Ignite: A Hip Hop Dance Experience photo album


Questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact Dani Kuepper, Artistic Director, at 414.277.8480 x6001 or via email.