All-girl dance studio teaches hope for Milwaukee’s future


Whether you’re looking to learn ballroom, tango, ballet… dance studios in Milwaukee aren’t too hard to find.
But a studio that also teaches community awareness? Now, that’s a little more unique.
Desiree Cocroft has been teaching dance for years now, and spending time with her and a room full of squirrly 8-14 year-olds at Signature Dance Company, its clear she has her hands full.
But when it comes to teaching these energetic dance classes, her and the studio’s approach has always been a little different than most. The all-girls nonprofit studio teaches dance with a bigger message: a message of hope.

“[Our dance] is saying we have invisible chains around us… we’re trying to break them, but haven’t broken them quite yet.” -Kiera, 12
And watching this practice in particular, one in preparation for their upcoming show ‘Faithworks’, its clear that these girls aren’t just performing rhythmic choreography; they’re telling a story of recollection and reality of being an African-American living in Milwaukee.

Faithworks tackles gun violence, racism and other big issues facing Milwaukee’s African-American community alongside a message of hope and faith.
“Just our media world and the things that kids are exposed to… I was talking to another dance and was like ‘Do you think this show is too much for a third grader?’ and she was like ‘I work with kids and there was a five-year-old… that said he feared his own community. If a five-year-old fears their own community then sure, we should be showing them a way of hope.”

Faithworks takes place this Saturday at Alverno’s Pitman Theater.
Check out my full interview with Desiree and Signature Dance Company on their upcoming show ‘Faithworks’ below:
Signature Dance Company’s show Faithworks premiers this Saturday, January 14, at Alverno’s Pitman Theater with doors at 6:30 pm and the show beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets and more information on the show can be found at faithworks.eventbrite.com.

“Our show Faithworks says just that. Having faith really works.” -Jada, 12
For class information and more on Signature Dance Company, you can visit them on Facebook or at SignatureDanceCompany.org.