Elizabeth Sexe

Elizabeth Sexe is a lecturer in the Dance Department within the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she teaches Ballet, Pilates, and Contemporary dance. As a passionate educator, she encourages students to take creative risks, assess their experiences, and learn from both successes and failures. She also serves as the director of her own company, Liz Sexe Dance, which actively engages with the local dance community.

Sexe's research interests center on community-based dance practices, collaborative choreography, and embodied experience as a mode of sharing perspective. Her work emphasizes the importance of local engagement, regularly collaborating with Madison-area artists, choreographers, and dancers. She approaches dance education as a space for experimentation where students are encouraged to push boundaries while developing technical proficiency in ballet, contemporary, and movement practices.

Her creative output demonstrates a strong trend toward community engagement and collaborative projects that bring together diverse artists. Many works explore interpersonal dynamics (duos, solos) while others address broader social themes like liberty and progress. Her performances often take place in non-traditional venues, reflecting her interest in making dance accessible beyond conventional theater settings.

• Edna Wiechers Arts in Wisconsin Award (2019)

As an educator and artistic director, Sexe has built significant community partnerships that extend her impact beyond the university classroom. Her projects frequently involve collaborations with local organizations like Dane Arts and other dance companies, creating opportunities for regional dancers and choreographers. She has also served as a Bubbler Artist-in-Residence at Central Library, further demonstrating her commitment to community engagement.

Sexe maintains active performance collaborations with prominent Madison dance institutions and choreographers, including Li Chiao-Ping Dance Company, Marlene Skog and Dancers, and numerous independent choreographers across the region.