General support for Dance Wisconsin - Year End 2020 Appeal :)

2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for dancing youth. Dance Wisconsin is in Madison Wisconsin which is in Dane County. Dane County is where the capital of Wisconsin resides, the University of Wisconsin - Madison and the major hospitals for the state. Dane County has taken the spread of Covid-19 very seriously and has had public officials issue the strictest guidelines for businesses being open and athletic activity, which includes dance. Unable to dance in person through the spring Dance Wisconsin dancers worked diligently taking class via zoom and were fortunate to have multiple guest teachers to inspire their perseverance through the shutdown and to continue dancing. In July most were able to return to the studio dancing in masks and physically distancing themselves from their fellow dancers to take summer intensives. In August, the dancers dove headfirst into having original choreography set on them by some of Wisconsin's best choreographers and while denied a theater to perform in took to traveling to locations outside of Dane County to perform outside on small stages but were so grateful for the experience.

Dance Wisconsin began Nutcracker rehearsals in late September and planned to present a digital performance of Nutcracker originally scheduled to be recorded on December 19th. In early November you could see the number of Covid-19 cases rising across the state and Dane County and a plan to record the dancers in their costumes with matching masks was hatched for November 21st. Everything was prepared and on Tuesday November 17th we were informed at 1:00 pm that Dane County would go into lock down at 12:00 AM Wednesday November 18th. Classes had to return to zoom. More than two people in a studio was considered a mass gathering and the dancers were devastated. As of this writing the Emergency Health Order #10 is set to end the evening of December 16th, but it is almost certain to be extended. Dance Wisconsin and our home school, Monona Academy of Dance have been extremely fortunate to not have had a case of Covid-19 originate in or be traced back to dance. The dancers' hunger to perform and continue learning and your support will allow Dance Wisconsin to continue its mission when profits from theatrical performances have not been possible.

Dance Wisconsin is a regional dance company that promotes excellence in the art of dance. The company presents high-quality productions featuring dancers from all over southern and central Wisconsin and distinguished guest artists from companies around the world. These productions not only offer the opportunity for young people to explore new heights, but also to learn teamwork, commitment, and a sense of pride in accomplishing something truly extraordinary. Dance Wisconsin is the state’s only Honor Company in Midstate’s Regional Dance America.

Dance Wisconsin provides the vehicle for young dancers to go beyond their studio dance experience and learn more about their art form while making valuable connects in the dance world at a professional and collegian level. Dance Wisconsin offers dedicated dancers the opportunity to train at a high level to achieve their goals whether they are simply to be the best dancer they can be or if they wish to pursue dancing beyond High School. Dance Wisconsin offers them the training and opportunities to help make anything happen.

Thank you for supporting us in our mission!