Dawn Springer’s ‘Sylph’ Is Closing Geneva Lake’s Ferro Pavilion

Choreographer Dawn Springer grew up in Lake Geneva and, after what she labels a “pretty circuitous path,” ended up back in Wisconsin. Her contemporary ballet Sylph premiered last October at Milwaukee’s Jan Serr Studio, and now it will now play in Springer’s hometown on Aug. 27 and 28. Notably, Sylph will be the final performance at Geneva Lake’s beloved Ferro Pavilion before it’s torn down.

Sylph examines the weight and internal experience of gendered expectations in ballet. With music by composer and percussionist Jon Mueller, Sylph explores extreme ranges of physical movement, asking the audience to consider how we both define and consume femininity as viewers.

Milwaukee Magazine spoke with Dawn Springer ahead of her Geneva Lake engagement to discuss t