Business Details
40 Years
experience
Wild Space Dance: Immersive Site-Specific Performances
Founded in 1986 by visionary choreographer Debra Loewen, Wild Space Dance Company has redefined contemporary dance through site-specific performances that merge movement with natural and urban landscapes. Our innovative approach, rooted in 40+ years of experimental choreography, has earned critical acclaim across the U.S. and internationally. We prioritize immersive experiences that connect audiences to their environments, evidenced by our acclaimed InSite program at Havenwoods State Forest and Davidson Park. Our commitment to community engagement extends through the Wild Arts Summer Camp, serving Milwaukee youth since 2008, and collaborative projects with institutions like the Milwaukee Art Museum and University of Illinois.Recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Wisconsin Arts Board, we maintain rigorous artistic standards while making dance accessible through free public performances. Our work reflects decades of expertise in transforming unconventional spaces into dynamic stages, fostering creativity in both professional artists and emerging talent.
Services
Site-Specific Performances
Youth Dance Education
Community Workshops
Arts Integration Programs
Environmental Choreography
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We have 40+ years pioneering site-specific dance performances across the U.S. and internationally
- Our InSite program creates unique forest performances with park ranger collaborations
- We operate Milwaukee's only free summer arts camp for middle school students since 2008
- Our founding director received NEA fellowships and Wisconsin Dance Council honors
- We partner with major cultural institutions like the Milwaukee Art Museum and Goethe-Institut
What people say
Immersive experience
Creative choreography
Community impact
Youth development
Environmental connection
Services
Site-Specific Performances
Our signature performances integrate choreography with natural and architectural environments. Audiences follow guided trails through forests or explore urban spaces while encountering dance woven into the landscape. Each production requires months of site research and collaboration with local experts to create immersive experiences that reveal hidden histories and ecological connections. Past projects at Havenwoods State Forest and Milwaukee's Warehouse Museum demonstrate our commitment to transforming spaces into storytelling platforms.
Wild Arts Summer Camp
This free summer program provides Milwaukee middle-schoolers with dance and visual arts education. Students create original works under professional artists' guidance, developing technical skills and self-confidence. The curriculum emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, with final performances showcasing student creativity. Since 2008, the camp has served over 1,000 students, with partnerships ensuring accessibility for underserved communities through transportation and wraparound care services.
Community Workshops
We offer participatory dance workshops for all ages and abilities, focusing on movement exploration and creative expression. Sessions include guided improvisation, choreography basics, and site-specific movement practices. Recent workshops at Arts @ Large and Broadway Theatre Center featured pay-what-you-can pricing to ensure accessibility. These programs emphasize community building through collaborative dance experiences that require no prior training.
Arts Integration Programs
Our residencies combine dance with STEM education and environmental studies for K-12 students. Programs at Lincoln Center Middle School integrate choreography with ecological awareness, using movement to explore scientific concepts. Teaching artists collaborate with classroom instructors to develop cross-curricular lesson plans that meet state education standards while fostering creative problem-solving skills.
Environmental Choreography
This specialized practice creates performances that highlight ecological themes and environmental stewardship. Choreographers work with scientists and park rangers to translate ecological processes into movement. Recent projects explored urban wilderness preservation and climate change impacts through dance installations at state forests and museum exhibitions, combining artistic expression with environmental education.
People
Debra Loewen
Founding Director
Debra Loewen established Wild Space Dance in 1986 after studying at University of Illinois and UW-Milwaukee. Her site-specific works have been presented internationally, earning NEA fellowships and Wisconsin Arts Board recognition. She continues developing innovative projects like the Parking Lot Dance Series and collaborations with Milwaukee museums.
Dan Schuchart
Artistic Director
Dan Schuchart co-creates performances with Debra Loewen, including the acclaimed 'A Room Shaped Story'. His choreography explores spatial transformation and abstract narratives. He teaches master classes in site-specific techniques and leads the company's educational outreach programs at Milwaukee schools and community centers.
Christina Felski
Camp Director
Christina Felski manages the Wild Arts Summer Camp partnership with Lincoln Center Middle School. She coordinates teaching artists and develops curriculum integrating dance with visual arts. With 15 years of arts education experience, she ensures program accessibility for Milwaukee's diverse student population through community partnerships.
Questions
Are performances free to attend?
All InSite forest performances are free with required registration. Theater productions at Broadway Theatre Center have ticket prices starting at $20.
How can my child join the summer camp?
Registration opens annually in May for Milwaukee residents entering grades 6-9. Priority is given to MPS students through a partnership with Lincoln Center Middle School.
Can I donate physical assets?
Yes, we accept stock, bond donations, and Donor Advised Fund contributions. Our EIN is 39-1602186 for tax documentation purposes.
What performance spaces do you use?
We specialize in transforming unconventional locations like parks, forests, and industrial sites. Recent venues include Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Broadway Theatre Center stages.
