Category: Dance Department

Pa Ying Gia Thao from the School of Education’s Dance major

The UW–Madison School of Education offers academic excellence in areas spanning the arts, health, and education. We are a proud community of innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and fearless trailblazers. Our talented students are committed to making their college experience a meaningful journey that aligns with their interests and helps them achieve their future goals.  Following …

Dance Department presents Moonshine 2026 on Feb. 27

The UW–Madison Dance Department and Professor Chris Walker are delighted to present Moonshine 2026, Friday, Feb. 27, at 3:30 p.m. in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall. This free annual event brings together campus and community artists in performance — an embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea on stage — to celebrate Black excellence and …

Dance Department and Li Chiao-Ping Dance present ‘Here Lies the Truth’ Feb. 5–7

The UW–Madison Dance Department and Li Chiao-Ping Dance will present the final performances of “Here Lies the Truth,” a multidisciplinary, mixed-media dance theater work, Feb. 5–7 in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall (1050 University Ave.). “Here Lies the Truth” investigates “the truth” as it relates to race, power, access, equity, and positionality. Directed …

Equipping dance artists for the future

By Kari Dickinson As the Dance Department celebrates its centennial, it is also looking to the future with the launch of a new Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance program. The first students will arrive in fall 2026. This fully funded, two-year degree gives outstanding artists opportunities to push the boundaries of their creative …

Taking dance education back to school

By Maggie Ginsberg, Division of the Arts Last summer, during the first week of the Madison Metropolitan School District’s Summer Arts Academy, the gymnasium inside Thoreau Elementary School was crawling with restless second graders. They were hot, distracted, and a little shy. “Let’s form a circle,” said lead teaching artist Abbey Brooks, who wore a …

Dancing for (over) a century

By Kari Dickinson More than 100 years ago, Margaret H’Doubler taught the first dance courses on the UW–Madison campus. At the time, the idea that dance was suitable for academic study was nothing short of radical. From those first improvisational classes in 1917 grew the nation’s first dance major, formally approved on June 8, 1926. …

UW–Madison faculty bring immersive dance-theatre collaboration to ART House 360

Two faculty members from the UW–Madison School of Education are collaborating on a new immersive performance opening this February at ART House 360 in Verona, Wisconsin. “A Love Letter,” a co-production of Theatre LILA and Barrio Dance, is co-created by Jessica Lanius and AJ Juarez. The experimental dance-theatre work blends visceral movement, poetic storytelling, and live music to explore the …

The School of Education’s 2025 year in reviewng

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the impactful work that has taken place across the School of Education throughout 2025. Below are just a few highlights from the hundreds of stories we shared this year, showcasing efforts across the arts, education, and health. While this small sampling …

Six from School of Education named ‘Honored Instructors’ for fall 2025

UW–Madison students living in University Housing each semester have the opportunity to recognize instructors who have made a positive impact on their learning through the Honored Instructor program.  The program allows students to nominate educators who challenge them, support their academic growth, make learning enjoyable, or inspire them in meaningful ways. The fall 2025 list …

Dance Department presents Kloepper Concert of student work Dec. 6–7

The UW–Madison Dance Department presents the annual Kloepper Concert, a performance of new student work, Dec. 6–7 in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space in Lathrop Hall. The concert will feature a variety of contemporary dance works from student choreographers Jared Cataggatan, Reagan Coussens, Lilly Dempski, Neva Hinsey, Juliana Laird, Maya Rustenburg, Vivian Simpson, Marissa Stolt, …