Dan Schuchart I Dance, BFA
Dan Schuchart is currently a part of the Teaching Faculty at UWM’s Peck School of the Arts’ Department of Dance. Alongside his role at the university, he serves as the Co-Artistic Director of Wild Space Dance Company. Throughout his journey, Dan has also held teaching positions at Lawrence University, Beloit College, and UC Riverside. He shared his expertise as a guest teacher at esteemed institutions such as the Milwaukee Ballet, American College Dance Association Conferences, and public-school outreach programs. Dan has showcased his artistic versatility through working as a scenic painter for the movie, “Public Enemies,” and as a scenic charge for renowned organizations like the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Florentine Opera, and Skylight Music Theatre.
Educational Journey and Career Path
Dan’s passion for the arts stems from a lifelong connection to creativity. In reflecting upon what inspired him to pursue his BFA in Dance, he shared, “Art has always been a way that I process the outer world and my inner experience. I was bedridden for a while as a boy due to an illness and I would spend my days drawing, which created a lifelong practice. I originally entered UWM as a Math major, but after the first year I realized that I missed the art studio too much, so I switched my major to what was then Painting/Drawing. With some serendipity of friends made at UWM and course requirements, I took a dance class. This tied together my love for the arts and physical athleticism. I soon added Dance as a second major and have been extremely fortunate to continue a life in these fields ever since.”
Impactful Classes and Faculty
Among the influential figures in Dan’s journey, he highlighted Simone Ferro, “Simone Ferro has been and continues to be a huge influence. She joined the Dance Department as a professor at the same time I became a Dance major, and she quickly made her mark on the department and on me. She always challenged you while being completely supportive and encouraging. I learned so much from Simone about the craft of dance and the art of pedagogy. This also led to other opportunities such as being her rehearsal assistant when she choreographed for the Milwaukee Ballet, and her professional experience around the world encouraged me to seek opportunities outside of the US, which greatly influenced my work.”
Advice to Students
To current and future students, Dan shares valuable advice, “Stay curious and open. As much as college is a time to learn and hone one’s craft, it is also an opportunity to explore other fields and approaches. Take classes in the other PSOA departments and see their shows and exhibitions. Finding collaborators and like-minded people in other mediums is invaluable, both personally and professionally.”
Connect with Dan
To learn more about Dan Schuchart and his work, you can visit his biography on the UW-Milwaukee Arts Department website or explore the Wild Space Dance Company’s website.