{254}DANCEFEST was founded in 2012 under the wing of Cultural Arts of Waco, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its founder, Brooke Schlecte, envisioned a festival where dance would be celebrated alongside music and visual arts—a true weekend of performing arts for the community.
From the start, {254}DANCEFEST has emphasized community connection. Classes, workshops, and choreography exchanges have brought together dancers and studios from across the region, sparking collaboration and inspiring the creation of many unique and beautiful works.
Today, as the festival continues to expand its reach—bringing professional dancers and choreographers to Waco—it remains firmly rooted in its original mission: to foster creativity, provide opportunities, and celebrate the joy of dance within the wider Waco community.
Our vision is to bring professional and pre-professional contemporary dance to Central Texas, creating opportunities for audiences to experience innovative performance, choreography, and collaboration beyond the scope of popular culture. We are dedicated to fostering artistry that both challenges the boundaries of contemporary dance and honors its rich traditions.
