DANCEWORKS SUMMER PRO INTENSIVE
JUNE 8 – JUNE 12, 2026
THE 2026 INTENSIVE FACULTY
KATELYN ALTMANN
Katelyn Altmann Katelyn Altmann (she/her) is a movement-based artist, choreographer, and educator currently residing in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated summa cum laude, receiving her BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts. She has served on faculty in the UW–Milwaukee Department of Dance, guest taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and led masterclasses across the United States in contemporary dance practices, composition, and improvisation, with additional specialization in site-specific work, contact improvisation, and improvisation for performance. As a performer, she has appeared in works by Larry Keigwin, Joe Goode, Daniel Burkholder, Maria Gillespie, Simone Ferro, Mair Culbreth, Holly Johnston, Debra Loewen, Dan Schuchart, Dawn Springer, Esther Baker-Tarpaga, and Christal Wagner, and has collaborated with artists such as Shura Baryshnikov, Kathleen Hermesdorf, Irene Dowd, and Ishmael Houston-Jones, among others. She is a current performance and collaborative artist with Wild Space Dance Company, Danceworks Performance MKE (DPMKE), Li Chiao Ping Dance (LCPD), Hyperlocal MKE and Gina Laurenzi Dance Project (GLDP).
Katelyn has presented both her solo and collaborative work at Gibney(NY), RAD Fest(MI), Velocity(WA), Milwaukee Fringe Festival(WI), SEED Festival(WI), Get It Out There(WI), and was a selected choreographic winner for the Wisconsin Dance Council’s Dance Festival(22′-24′). In 2019, her work, “soft ground, stiff shoulder” was selected to be presented at the American College Dance Association’s North Central Conference and with the help of the National Endowment for the Arts, Altmann collaborated with Joe Goode to create a dance film, Real Words which was presented at the 2020 North Central ACDA Conference. She furthered her movement education at the Milwaukee Ballet, Point Park University, Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation, GALLIM, Keigwin + Company, Bates Dance Festival, Gibney, and Moving Queries (Set/Go, Lower Left). In 2025, Altmann choreographed and directed an evening length work, IN WAKE with live accompaniment by Allen Russell. Most recently, she received a fellowship for intensive study under the artistic direction of LILLIAN BARBEITO, founder of BODYTRAFFIC. Katelyn’s work lives in embodied study, tested and realized through creation processes, improvisational strategies and performance. This takes shape through porous embodiment, visceral play, connection, and attunement. This is Katelyn’s seventh season with Danceworks Performance MKE.
Richard (Buda) Brasfield
Richard (Buda) Brasfield, a Chicago native raised
in Milwaukee, is a respected teacher, dancer, choreographer, and entertainer. He began dancing in middle school, but his passion truly ignited during high school through Cheerleading and Drill Team. In 2000, Richard joined his first dance company, Dream Cheer and Dance in Milwaukee, led by Renee Moore, as a core member and choreographer, before joining Remix Dance Company. Richard has trained with numerous nationally recognized choreographer artists including Rhapsody, Dave Scott, Luther Brown, Laura Edwards, and Kevin Mayer. Through Remix, Richard gained the tools to teach, refine his choreography, perform at showcases, and compete at major conventions such as “Monsters of Hip-Hop”. Richard became the Creative Director of Remix and transformed the company to become Revamped Dance Company for six years.
Richard entered the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene, dancing under three different houses that specialize in cultivating community through categories such as vogue. This path continues to shape and expand his artistry. He is working to make ballroom a prominent part of the community. An active participant in the LGBTQ+ pageant system, he proudly earned the titles of Mr. Gay Wisconsin USofA, Mr. Five Nightclub, and Mr. Gay Madison. He aims to share his unique talents with the world and inspire others to embrace joy, authenticity, and passion in everything they do. Richard is a Residential Advocate and Program Coordinator for LGBTQIA+ youth through Courage Plus, providing housing and support for youth.
ZOE MEI GLISE
Zoe Mei Glise (she/her) is a movement-based artist located in Milwaukee, WI. She is Danceworks’ Development and Partnerships Artistic Coordinator and dances professionally with Danceworks Performance MKE (DPMKE), Wild Space Dance Company, and Gina Laurenzi Dance Project (GLDP). Zoe earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she worked with artists including Daniel Burkholder, Mair Culbreth, Parijat Desai, Emma Draves, Yumelia Garcia, Maria Gillespie, Gina Laurenzi, Marina Magalhães, Caitlin Mahon, Tatiana Malinkine, Dan Schuchart, Christal Wagner, and Joe Goode, with whom she created “Real Words”, a dance film supported by an NEA grant that was presented at the North Central American College Dance Association (ACDA).
Previously, Zoe has danced and performed professionally with Madison Contemporary Dance, Nova Linea Contemporary Dance, and Studio K Flamenco, and has presented her individual works nationally and internationally at the Emergence Festival (Chicago, IL), Dance for Hope MKE (Milwaukee, WI), National Conference on Undergraduate Research (Bozeman, MT), Get It Out There (Milwaukee, WI), and at the Centre National de la Dance (Paris, France) as part of the Camping Residency.
Zoe has furthered her training through intensives with Joffrey Ballet (New York, NY), Bandaloop (San Francisco, CA), Stewart/Owen Dance (Asheville, NC), FLOCK (Chicago, IL), Wasatch Contemporary Dance (Provo, UT), Nova Linea Contemporary Dance (Waukesha, WI), and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (Winona, MN). In fall of 2025, she was one of four artists selected to create work for the Wisconsin Dance Council’s Emerging Artist Mentorship Program. Most notably, in September 2024, Zoe premiered her debut evening-length work, “Uncommon Ground”, which blended her two passions–dance and rock climbing.
GRETA JENKINS
Greta Jenkins (she/her) is a dance artist, choreographer, personal trainer and business owner. She’s been a Milwaukee resident for three years and grew up dancing in northern kentucky. She received her BFA in dance performance from Ball State University. While in school Greta had the opportunity to learn and perform the repertoire piece “Steps in the Street” by the Martha Graham Dance Company. Greta is also a company artist and rehearsal director with THREE POINT PROJECT. She’s performed with THREE POINT PROJECT artists in MashUp Contemporary Dance Company’s International Women’s Day Dance Festival as well as Geometry Dance Company’s season show WALK ON, both performances in Los Angeles. Greta is also the owner and founder of her personal training business Lifted by Greta where she aims to create a space where every person can embrace their pursuit of improved movement, strength, and confidence in their body’s unique quality of life. This is Greta’s third season with Danceworks Performance MKE.
ISHMAEL KONNEY
Ishmael is an interdisciplinary Ghanaian artist hailing from La, a prominent town in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. His artistic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Education, Winneba. He was recruited to the United States, where he pursued his academic goals further, earning an M.A. in International Studies from Ohio University, as well as an MFA in Dance with an Interdisciplinary Specialization in Fine Arts from The Ohio State University. Currently, Ishmael holds the position of Assistant Professor of Dance at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Additionally, he contributes his expertise as a Dance Faculty member for the prestigious Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. Ishmael served as a valued board member for OhioDance, where he actively participated in the Governance committee. Before moving to the United States, Ishmael honed his craft with the National Dance Company of Ghana at the National Theatre of Ghana. His research interests center on the promotion of Ghanaian cultural values, with a keen focus on exploring the intricate relationship and intersectionality between performance and traditional Ghanaian cultural practices. Currently, his artistic pursuits delve into the fusion of traditional Ghanaian storytelling with contemporary dance forms, aiming to create immersive communal experiences that celebrate Ghanaian heritage and identity. Ishmael has performed at renowned venues including, Sadler’s Wells Theatre (London- UK), Lincoln Theatre (Columbus, OH) National Theatre of Ghana, National Conference Center, and Alliance Français (Accra- Ghana), National Theatre of Nigeria (Lagos).
GINA LAURENZI
A mover, maker, researcher and educator, Gina Laurenzi graduated from the University of WI – Milwaukee where she earned her MFA in dance. With roots in jazz dance and contemporary ballet, Laurenzi’s professional dance career began in Chicago. In Milwaukee, Laurenzi’s performance career expanded as a contemporary company dancer with Danceworks Performance MKE, Hyperlocal and Wild Space Dance Company. In 2015, Gina created the Gina Laurenzi Dance Project to present and develop her own choreographic ideas alongside a collective of artist collaborators. Originally from Southeast Wisconsin, Gina was previously a Co-artistic Director at Danceworks and dance lecturer at the University of WI – Milwaukee. Gina aims to craft curious and dynamic interdisciplinary works of dance that spark wonder, and invite reflection. A passion for scuba diving and a lover of nature, Gina’s recent choreographic work explores awe and the human impact on the planet through the medium of dance. Currently residing in Texas, Laurenzi continues her research as an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
TESSA RITCHEY
Tessa Ritchey was born and raised in Walworth, Wisconsin, where she trained at The Dance Factory. She graduated form The University of Iowa in 2018 with a B.F.A in Dance Performance and Choreography. Tessa has had her work presented at the 2018 ACDA North Central Conference, College of DuPage’s Choreographic Showcase, MADCO 2’s Dare To Dance, Trifecta’s A New Light, the Iowa Dance Festival, Emergence, SMUSH Moves Vol. 7, JELLO, & MKE Fringe. Tessa was a Company Dancer for Danceworks Performance MKE for three seasons.
ELISABETH ROSKOPF 이지영
Elisabeth Roskopf 이지영 (She/ her) is a dancer, performer, choreographer, educator, pianist, and a mother to her daughter, Alina. Elisabeth was born in South Korea and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she began dancing at the age of 6. She is a company member of Danceworks Performance MKE, Li Chiao-Ping Dance, the Gina Laurenzi Dance Project, and a performance/choreography collaborator with Wild Space Dance Company.
Elisabeth received her Bachelor of Arts in Piano and a minor in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is currently earning her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), where she is honored to be a recipient of the Graduate Student Excellence Fellowship award. At UWM, she began her career in academia as a lecturer in the Department of Dance and became a graduate teaching assistant while performing and studying under the distinguished professors and guest artists such as Maria Gillespie, Daniel Burkholder, Mair Culbreth, Dan Schuchart, Dawn Springer, Deb Loewen, Mauriah Donegan Kraker, Vershawn Sanders-Ward, Jan Erkert, Alexandra Beller, Kevin Williamson, Teresa VanDenend Sorge, and Sooyeon Lee.
Elisabeth co-produced and performed in “Provenance: A Letter to My Daughter,” an award-winning screendance work created with director/choreographer Li Chiao-Ping and cinematographer/editor Christal Wagner. This dance film has been selected to be screened in various film festivals nationally and internationally, such as the 2024 Incheon International Short Film Festival (Finalist for Best Short Film), 2024 Busan New Wave Short Film Festival (Best Editing Award), 2023 Experimental, Dance & Music Film Festival (Best Direction Award), and the 2023 Milwaukee Film Festival, to name a few.
Elisabeth is the Founder and Creative Director of Dance For Diversity, an annual screendance project that is made explicitly for Artists of Color to share their voices and stories of identity through their dance-making and performance work. Elisabeth’s choreographic work creates a platform for Adoptees and BIPOC Dance Artists to have a place to be visible in the fullness of their identity and authenticity while fostering a sense of belonging permanently.
Her research encompasses autoethnography in movement through storytelling that creates a path for her embodied subjectivity. She links her corporeal experiences through cultural studies, post-colonial studies, and embodied cultural memory. As a Korean American Dance Artist, she is dedicated to creating meaningful change through her embodied dance scholarship and contributions in the field of dance and the Greater Milwaukee Community.
LAUREN TWOMLEY
Lauren Twomley, born in Brooklyn, New York, graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Arts Management. She has worked with renowned choreographers: Doug Varone, Sidra Bell, Dylan Crossman, Kevin Wynn, Ana Maria Lucaciu, Chafin Seymour, Francesca Harper, Jiri Kylian, Joost Vrouenraets, Kate Weare, Raul Tamez, Olivier Tarpoga, Azure Barton and Kayla Farrish, and has performed masterworks by Martha Graham, José Limón and Merce Cunningham. Lauren currently is a dancer, rehearsal coordinator and social media manager for Peter Stathas Dance, as well as a performing and teaching artist for the José Limón Dance Foundation. She has her own teaching practice that explores the deconstruction of Limón Movement Principles with the goal of making the technique accessible and approachable to all mover and values connection, diversity, and play in her artistic endeavors.
CHRISTAL WAGNER
Christal Wagner (she/they) is an Alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee dance department (BFA) where she is also adjunct faculty. She is a screendance artist and has produced work as a cinematographer, performer, editor and director for Joe Goode, Josh Halverson, Maria Gillespie, Danceworks Inc, Milwaukee Dance Theatre Network, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, UWM Dance, The Saint Kate Arts Hotel, The Cactus Club, and Li Chiao-Ping Dance where she was a 2020 SEED Creation Fund grant recipient. Christal is the artistic director of Danceworks Performance MKE and has danced for Your Mother Dances, Gina Laurenzi Dance Project, Dawn Springer Dance Projects, Skylight Music Theatre and spent 14 years as a company member with DPMKE. Christal is a cofounder of the music and dance trio Cadance Collective, co-creating pieces through processes where music and dance are worked on simultaneously through improvisational practices and original soundscapes. In 2020 Christal Wagner became the Saint Kate Art Hotel’s FIRST artist in co-residence. She is the recipient of 8 Wisconsin Jerry Awards for her work in musical theatre and has choreographed over 20 musicals in the city of Milwaukee. Christal’s mission is to support and elevate the voices of her community, collaborators, and fellow artists.
TIMELINE
JAN 1, 2026
Applications and Registration opens
FEB 12, 2026
EARLY BIRD Application Deadline
FEB 15, 2026
EARLY BIRD Registration Deadline
MAY 17, 2026
Registration Closes
JUN 8, 2026
Opening Night Welcome Event
JUN 8 – 12, 2026
Pro Intensive
TUITION
EARLY BIRD Registration: $400
Regular Registration: $500
Tuition covers
+ 12 Technique Classes
+ 4 professional Development Lectures
+ Repertory classes / setting original work
+ Evening gatherings / networking events
+ Opening night dance social and class presented by Cream City Swing
+ Closing Day retreat to join Peter Stathas Dance for workshops and The Barn Project performance, closing night party
+ Travel to Elkhorn, WI
Participants should plan to secure their own housing as housing is not provided in tuition.
OPEN CLASSES & EVENTS
Danceworks is hosting some very special classes as a part of our summer dance intensive and additionally some free and fun events that we would love to have you at.
You can sign up for classes using the MINDBODY App or drop in on the day of to enroll for class. Tickets for THE BARN PROJECT are available at peterstathasdance.com
CLASSES + EVENTS
Monday, June 8th
9:00–10:30 AM, Richman Hall (Drop in $25)
Contemporary with Tessa Ritchie, Artistic Director of Alluvion Dance Chicago
Enroll
Tuesday, June 9th
9:00–10:30 AM (Drop in $25)
Contemporary Floorwork with Zoe Mei Glise of Danceworks Performance MKE
Enroll
7:00pm – 8:30pm @ Alices Garden (FREE, no registration required, all levels welcome)
Improvisation Jam with Peter Stathas Dance, Allen Russell + Danceworks
Wednesday, June 10th
9:00–10:30 AM (Drop in $25)
Contemporary with Lauren Twomley of Peter Stathas Dance and Limón Dance Company
Enroll
LOCATIONS
Thursday, June 11th
9 – 10:30am (Drop in $25)
Jazz with David Roman, 20+ years with Royal Caribbean International
Enroll
Friday, June 12th
6:00pm – 7:30pm THE BARN PROJECT 5
Peter Stathas Dance featuring the Pro-Intensive Students of Danceworks, MKE
TICKETS
All drop in classes are at MYAC
325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee, WI 53212
Improv Jam located at Alices Garden
2136 N. 21st St., Milwaukee, WI 53205
Rain location: Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
Barn Project Performance THE SUGAR CREEK BARN
5907 Pierce Rd, Elkhorn, WI, 53121
ELIGIBILITY
+ Dancers must complete an application
+ 18 years or older
+ 1 year of collegiate program training or conservatory training
QUESTIONS
Please direct questions Artistic Coordinator, Katelyn Altmann. kaltmann@danceworksmke.org
MISSION AND FOCUS
This professional dance intensive is designed for collegiate- through professional-level dancers seeking to immerse themselves in intermediate to advanced professional training.
The mission of the intensive is to connect high-level dancers to one another and to the forms integrated into our teaching and performance with Danceworks Performance MKE. While we are rooted in integrity through technical form, we also value professional development opportunities that demystify the creative process, nonprofit infrastructure, and professional dance work culture. Equally important is the time we spend connecting with one another; we place strong emphasis on evening networking and leisure events that foster community and meaningful relationships among dancers.
This summer intensive may serve as an opportunity for dancers to be considered for our company. Think of this as a chance to train with us and be seen!