DanceCircus
A Circus of Motion and Emotion
Eco-Dance | Storytelling | Community | Since 1976
DanceCircus
A Circus of Motion and Emotion
Eco-Dance | Storytelling
Community | Since 1976
About DanceCircus
DanceCircus is a pioneering dance-theatre company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, creating bold, interdisciplinary performances that blend movement, visual art, music, poetry, and storytelling. Since 1976, we’ve brought thought-provoking, emotionally resonant work to theaters, schools, community centers, and public spaces across the Midwest and beyond.
With a name rooted in the Latin word circus, meaning “circle,” our work invites people into a shared space of movement, transformation, and connection. Each performance becomes a circle of influence uniting artists, audiences, and communities around stories that matter.
At the heart of DanceCircus is a deep commitment to the environment and to uplifting local voices. Our original works explore environmental concerns, social issues, and the beauty of everyday life. Often site-specific and always collaborative, our performances feature musicians, poets, visual artists, youth, and community members making art that is grounded, inclusive, and alive.
From Milwaukee to Martha’s Vineyard, our impact is felt in motion. We invite you to join the circle—whether as a dancer, partner, supporter, or audience member—and be part of the circus of motion and emotion.
“We don’t just dance. We tell stories, celebrate nature, and move people literally and emotionally.”
Our Legacy in Motion
Since 1976, DanceCircus has created powerful, interdisciplinary performances that explore the environment, elevate community stories, and inspire connection through movement. Founded by Artistic Director Betty Salamun, our work blends dance, visual art, music, poetry, and lived experience—transforming traditional spaces into stages for reflection and transformation.
Highlights of our legacy include:
Wade in the Water – A multimedia performance honoring the Great Lakes, with original music and painted sail backdrops
Storycircles & Talk-Dance – Signature formats that blend storytelling and movement, amplifying voices across generations and backgrounds
Surface Tension – An eco-dance piece exploring water’s beauty and fragility through poetry, music, and choreography
Youth Residencies & School Programs – Engaging young dancers in environmental themes and personal expression
Site-Specific & Public Performances – Including flash dance projects, art installations, and collaborations in parks, airports, and neighborhoods
Collaborations with Artists Across Disciplines – From composers and visual artists to poets and puppeteers
National Recognition & Touring – Performances and programs supported by the NEA, Joyce Foundation, and Wisconsin Arts Board
Meet Betty Salamun
Betty Salamun is a choreographer, movement analyst, and creative catalyst who has spent over 40 years crafting dance works that blur the lines between performance, poetry, and the natural world. As the founder and artistic director of DanceCircus, Betty is known for transforming scientific concepts and environmental themes into embodied, emotionally resonant performances.
Her choreography is grounded in her training in Laban Movement Analysis, which informs the layered imagery and expressive depth found in her work. Betty draws inspiration from the inherent drama of nature—earth, air, water, and the shifting relationships between humans and other species. Whether she’s interpreting ecological shifts or channeling community voices, her movement vocabulary reflects both grace and grit.
Betty’s creative journey has evolved from traditional concert dance into a deeply collaborative, interdisciplinary practice. She has developed freshwater flash dances for environmental parks, led Storycircles in community settings to help people tell their stories through movement, and worked with a diverse range of artists to build performances that are as intellectually rich as they are visually arresting.
With each new project, Betty invites people into a shared exploration of body, place, and purpose—reminding us that dance is not just an art form, but a way of listening, connecting, and reflecting the world around us.
Meet Betty Salamun
Betty Salamun is a choreographer, movement analyst, and creative catalyst who has spent over 40 years crafting dance works that blur the lines between performance, poetry, and the natural world. As the founder and artistic director of DanceCircus, Betty is known for transforming scientific concepts and environmental themes into embodied, emotionally resonant performances.
Her choreography is grounded in her training in Laban Movement Analysis, which informs the layered imagery and expressive depth found in her work. Betty draws inspiration from the inherent drama of nature—earth, air, water, and the shifting relationships between humans and other species. Whether she’s interpreting ecological shifts or channeling community voices, her movement vocabulary reflects both grace and grit.
Betty’s creative journey has evolved from traditional concert dance into a deeply collaborative, interdisciplinary practice. She has developed freshwater flash dances for environmental parks, led Storycircles in community settings to help people tell their stories through movement, and worked with a diverse range of artists to build performances that are as intellectually rich as they are visually arresting.
With each new project, Betty invites people into a shared exploration of body, place, and purpose—reminding us that dance is not just an art form, but a way of listening, connecting, and reflecting the world around us.
“Art does what nature does—it refreshes, heals, and reminds us what matters.”
How We Bring Dance to Life
From concert halls to classrooms to city parks, DanceCircus brings movement into everyday spaces—turning stories, science, and shared experiences into living art. Through a mix of performances, workshops, and community collaborations, we make dance accessible, engaging, and deeply connected to the world around us.
- Eco-Dance Concerts – Theatrical performances blending movement, music, and environmental themes.
- Talk-Dance & Storycircles – Original formats that combine spoken word and dance to tell real, community-centered stories.
- Residencies & Workshops – Interactive programs for schools, seniors, justice-involved communities, and artists of all ages.
- Flash Dance Projects –Surprise performances in public spaces that celebrate movement and bring attention to urgent causes.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a dancer, educator, artist, organizer, or someone who simply believes in the power of the arts to spark change—there’s a place for you in the DanceCircus circle.
We collaborate with:
- Schools and educators looking to bring movement-based learning to students.
- Community organizations interested in workshops, residencies, or performances.
- Artists across disciplines who want to co-create interdisciplinary work.
- Environmental groups seeking creative ways to engage the public.
- Supporters and volunteers who want to uplift meaningful art in Milwaukee and beyond.
Have an idea for a project or partnership?
Want to bring a DanceCircus experience to your space?
Send Us A Message
DanceCircus changes lives through concert performances, community projects, school residencies, and artist collaborations.