Dance in Door County: A Legacy of Passion and Education
Elena Santiago teaches a salsa dance lesson at The Cramer Exchange in July. (Photo by Lia Smith-Redmann)
By Lia Smith-Redmann, Door County Auditorium Production Manager/Marketing Coordinator
In 1994, a group of dedicated dancers stood behind the scenes, ready to perform Still/Here, a pivotal work by Bill T. Jones. Positioned on the Door County Auditorium’s (DCA) lesser-known stage, they were about to leave a lasting mark on American dance history.
For 35 years, DCA, often supported by the Friends of Gibraltar, has been a beacon for dance, showcasing traditions from around the world and providing a stage for legendary companies like Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey, and Paul Taylor.
Among those inspired by these performances is Door County native Elena Santiago, a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator. With a background that started with local classes taught by Marise Redmann, Santiago went on to train at notable institutions, including the Ailey School in New York City. She holds a master’s degree in dance education from Hunter College and is also a certified yoga teacher.
After spending 13 years in New York City, Santiago returned to Door County with a mission: to enhance dance opportunities for local youth. She has successfully taught young dancers across the peninsula, emphasizing performance experiences and quality training.
Our paths crossed in the mid-2000s when she taught a workshop I attended as a teenager—a full-circle moment for both of us, linked by her connection to my mother. This connection paved the way for my dance journey, which included studying at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Currently, both Santiago and I are revitalizing dance at DCA and its new venue, The Cramer Exchange. “Door County Auditorium helped shape my understanding of how powerful access to professional dance can be for a young person,” Santiago expressed.
This summer, she founded the Door County School of Dance in Sturgeon Bay, providing regular classes for children aged 3-12 and hosting a Salsa Dance Social for adults. Her focus is to offer structured training while fostering joy and creativity.
In parallel, I’ve established the Smith-Redmann Dance Co., a nonprofit dedicated to community engagement through dance. Our inaugural performance is set for October 25 at DCA, nearly 33 years after the historic Jones performance.
My journey has been enriched by DCA’s robust arts ecosystem, inspiring me to return as a professional. Supporting dance is vital—not just for its immediate impact, but for its potential to transform lives and create lasting ripples through the community.
Contributed by members of the Peninsula Arts and Humanities Alliance, committed to promoting the arts in Door County.
