In this special summer edition of At the Barre with Madison Ballet Special Projects, Director Chris Fahrenthold is joined by Lauren Thompson, company artist with Madison Ballet and one of the creative forces behind Summer Suite, a one-day fundraising event benefiting the School of Madison Ballet Scholarship Fund.

Lauren shares how a personal fundraiser for her cats unexpectedly became the inspiration for Summer Suite, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the event, the upcoming performance, and why supporting dancers and dance education matters.

We also learn about Lauren's journey from Hawaii to Madison, the lessons that transformed her career, and what it takes to balance performing, teaching, and producing an event during the company's summer layoff.

About Lauren Thompson

Lauren Thompson grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and began dancing at Ballet Hawaii. She continued her studies at Honolulu Classical Ballet, Ballet West Academy, and Nashville Ballet II.

In 2018 Lauren joined The BrayBallet in Oconomowoc, where she performed principal roles in Eddy Bray’s Dracula, Nutcracker, and Sinatra Suites. Since joining Madison Ballet in 2021, she has enjoyed performing in Gerald Arpino’s Birthday Variations and in Heinz Poll’s Eight By Benny.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/brollerina/

See SUMMER SUITE @ Wyso Center August 22, 2026

🎟️ https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/summersuite

Bid in the silent auction: https://givebutter.com/c/summer-suite-uwrptk/auction

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

LAUREN HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography

Episode 13 | Summer Suite: Lauren Thompson

In this episode of At the Barre, we go behind the scenes with Madison Ballet company member and emerging choreographer James Wainwright.

James shares how he transitioned from years of playing football into professional dance after starting ballet and musical theatre as a teenager. He reflects on growing up around his mother’s dance studio in Chicago, the sense of belonging he found in the studio environment, and the journey that eventually brought him to Madison Ballet.

We also get a sneak peek into the inspiration behind James’ Innovation II piece, Heure de Fermeture (“Closing Time”), which was sparked by a transformative family trip to Scotland and a memorable evening spent immersing himself in the Edinburgh community.

About James Wainwright

Born in Chicago, Illinois, James Wainwright grew up around his mother’s dance studio. James started his professional training at the School of Ballet 5:8 under the tutelage of former Ballet 5:8 Ballet Mistress Lauren Ader-Cumpston, Trainee and Studio Company Director Brette Benedict, and Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager. In 2016, Wainwright trained at The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory Summer Intensive, learning from Tim Melady, Eleanor D’Antuono, and Kirk Peterson. After graduating high school, James joined Ballet 5:8’s Trainee Program in 2018, then became a Company Artist 2020. James joined the company in 2023..

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/brollerina/

See Heure de Fermeture by James in Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

JAMES HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography

Episode 12 | Innovation II: James Wainwright

In this episode of At the Barre, we go behind the scenes with Madison Ballet company member and emerging choreographer Ben Rose.

Ben shares his unique path from competitive ballroom dance into ballet, and how that background continues to influence his creative voice. He discusses the structure of his new piece Tea for Two for Eight, built as a series of contrasting sections inspired by ballroom competitions, and his goal of highlighting both versatility and individuality within the dancers.

About Ben Rose

Benjamin Rose began his training in Houston at Vitacca Ballet school and The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. After 3 Summers at Houston Ballet School, he joined the full-time day program and began studying under the direction of Andrew Murphy. After graduating he began his professional career as a Trainee with Ballet West in Salt Lake City Utah and was able to perform roles such as The Lead male in George Balanchine's Walpurgisnacht and as “The Bear” in Willem Cristianstens the Nutcracker. While he lived in Utah, he was fortunate enough to also work as a guest artist and performed not only with the University of Utah but also around the country with companies such as NorthStar Ballet in Alaska, Nevada Ballet Theater in Las Vegas, AVA Ballet in Reno, and Queen City Ballet in Helena, Montana.  From there he moved to Denver where he joined the studio company at Colorado Ballet and performed with Feel the Movement, a contemporary dance project based out of Denver led by Director Edgar Page. He then moved to Iowa and began dancing at Ballet Des Moines directed by Serkan Usta. After living in Iowa, Ben moved to San Antonio to dance for Ballet San Antonio under the direction of Sofiane Sylve. He was promoted to soloist his first season with company and danced in roles such as Basillio in Don Quixote, The Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, and Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream. On top of his career as a ballet dancer Ben is also a professional ballroom dancer competing in International Latin.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mynameisben10/

See Tea for Two for Eight by Ben in Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

BEN HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography

Episode 11 | Innovation II: Ben Rose

In this episode of At the Barre, we go behind the scenes with Madison Ballet apprentice and emerging choreographer Gianna DeMassio

In her first season with the company, Gianna shares her journey from a competition dance background to discovering her passion for ballet and how she unexpectedly fell in love with choreography during her training.

We also dive into her choreographic process for Innovation II, where she premieres a new work titled Memento Vivere inspired by a meaningful moment while dancing in Italy. The work is centered around the passage of time and the emotional experience of living in the present.

Gianna offers insight into what it’s like to create work on her peers, how she balances her own movement voice with the established language of a company, and why she’s drawn to grounded, human-centered movement that resonates both with dancers and audiences alike.

About Gianna DeMassio

Originally from upstate New York, Gianna began her ballet training at the New Paltz School of Ballet under the direction of former New York City Ballet dancers Lisa and Peter Naumann. At fifteen, she joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s Full-Time program, while also attending summer programs at the Chautauqua Institute and American Ballet Theater in NYC. After graduating from high school, Gianna joined Charlotte Ballet as a trainee, where she studied with the renowned Patricia McBride and began choreographing under the mentorship of Mark Diamond. In 2020, Gianna joined the Richmond Ballet as a trainee and was promoted to their Studio Company shortly after. While dancing with Richmond Ballet, she worked with choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald and Katarzyna Skarpetowska, and performed with the company in many mainstage productions, including her favorite, George Balanchine’s Serenade. From 2023 to 2025, Gianna danced as an apprentice with Ballet Rhode Island under the direction of Kathleen Breen Combes and Yury Yanowsky. While there, she enjoyed performing in diverse repertoire, as well as choreographing her own new works for the company. Gianna is looking forward to her first season with Madison Ballet!

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gigi.825/

See Memento Vivere by Gianna in Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

GIANNA HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography

Episode 10 | Innovation II: Gianna DeMassio

In this episode of At the Barre, we are joined by Charlotte Junge, Company Dancer with Madison Ballet and emerging choreographer featured in this season’s Innovation II.

This conversation explores Charlotte’s early dance training, her move to Boston Ballet School at just 14, and the unexpected path that led her to Madison Ballet. She also discusses how her background in multiple dance styles continues to influence her movement vocabulary today.

We get a peek inside Charlotte’s choreographic process and how her piece As Above, So Below has come to life. Inspired by her relationship with her mother, Charlotte shares the beauty of exploring a deeply personal theme in a safe space with her Madison Ballet colleagues.

About Charlotte Junge

Originally from Houston, TX, Charlotte Junge began her training locally, and continued her focus on classical training at the Houston Ballet Academy and The Dallas Conservatory. While at Houston Ballet, she performed in premieres of The Nutcracker: Romeo and Juliet, and Giselle by Stanton Welch AM. At The Dallas Conservatory, she performed as Clara in The Nutcracker, and won numerous awards at YAGP. In 2018, Charlotte was accepted into Boston Ballet School's Professional Division. While a student there, she had the opportunity to study with esteemed faculty including Margaret Tracey, Miranda Weese, Kathleen Mitchell, Andrea Long, and Denise Lewis. In 2022, Charlotte graduated high school, finishing her 4th year with Boston Ballet School. In 2022, she created her first professional choreographic work on the company for the Innovation program. This will be Charlotte's 4th season with Madison Ballet.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/charjunge/

See As Above, So Below by Charlotte at Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii [https://www.madisonballet.org/innovation-ii]

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects]

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

CHARLOTTE HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography

Episode 9 | Innovation II: Charlotte Junge

In this episode of At the Barre, we are joined by Sarah Martin, Company Dancer with Madison Ballet and emerging choreographer featured in this season’s Innovation II.

Sarah shares her journey from early training at BalletMet to trainee programs across the country, and how the relationships she built along the way ultimately led her to Madison Ballet.

We dive into Sarah’s lifelong love of choreography: from creating dances as a child to developing her third original work for Madison Ballet. She shares insight into choreographing within the company, including how collaboration, trust, and familiarity influence the studio dynamic.

We also get a sneak peek at the making of her new piece, Circles in Blue, a nostalgic work set to the music of Joni Mitchell that draws on her personal memories and a deep connection to the music.

About Sarah Martin

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Sarah Martin trained at BalletMet Columbus and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre before continuing her studies as a trainee with Charlotte Ballet and Richmond Ballet. She had the opportunity to perform multiple Balanchine works as a trainee with Richmond Ballet, including Who Cares? and Divertimento No. 15.

Since joining Madison Ballet in 2019, Sarah has appeared in classical works such as Paquita, Birthday Variations, The Nutcracker, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  She has been able to work with choreographers such as Ja Malik, Richard Walters, Stephanie Martinez, Marika Brussel, Alia Kache, and Yury Yanowsky. In addition to performing, she teaches dance and yoga and continues to explore choreography. She enjoys being involved in the Madison dance community.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/smint4thewin/

See Circles in Blue by Sarah at Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii [https://www.madisonballet.org/innovation-ii]

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects]

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

Episode 8 | Innovation II: Sarah Martin

In this episode of At the Barre, we are joined by Eric Stith, Company Dancer with Madison Ballet and emerging choreographer featured in this season’s Innovation II.

Eric shares his unconventional path into ballet and how he found his way back to the art form after almost stepping away completely due to burnout.

We dive into Eric’s evolution as a choreographer, including the moment he discovered his artistic voice and what it means to create work that reflects both his movement influences and his identity as a queer Black artist. He opens up about the creative process behind his new piece, Genesis 1:3, a deeply personal work honoring his grandfather’s life.

Eric also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like choreographing on your fellow company members, how he builds trust with fellow dancers, and the balance between structure and spontaneity in the creative process.

About Eric Stith III

Born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Eric started training at the age of 7 at The Old Donations Center for the Gifted and Talented and then transferred to The Governor’s School for the Arts. While training, he was a part of the film Dancing on the Shoulders of Giants filmed by WHRO. At age 19, Eric started his professional career in the Second Company of Charlotte Ballet under the direction of Christopher Stuart.

After joining Madison Ballet in 2023, Stith has performed in many illustrious works choreographed by Artistic Director Ja'Malik including Duo Amore, Hallelujah Junction and Rhapsody in Blue. He also has performed in works by prestigious choreographers Richard Walters, Yury Yanowsky, Stephanie Martinez,Tamisha A. Guy, and Alia Kache.

Eric has worked to find his choreographic voice starting with Charlotte Ballet’s Choreographic Lab in 2022. In 2023, Eric created a work for Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s New Dance Fest. In Madison, he choreographed for Madison Ballet’s Innovation Program, Isthmus Dance Collective's Bike Path and the Paw de Chat Fundraising event.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/eric_stithiii/

See Innovation II @ Overture Center Promenade Hall May 8-10, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/innovation-ii [https://www.madisonballet.org/innovation-ii]

Attend a Madison Ballet Special Projects Ballet Storytime

🩰📚https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/events

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects]

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

Episode 7 | Innovation II: Eric Stith III

In this episode of At the Barre, we are joined by Andrea Yorita, stager for Caili Quan’s work Dignity in Restraint, featured in Madison Ballet’s upcoming ChoreographHER program.

Andrea offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to restage a contemporary ballet work and how she balances the original choreographer’s vision with the individuality of new dancers

We dive into Caili Quan’s creative approach, exploring how her collaborative, dancer-centered process fosters both freedom and authenticity in the studio. Andrea discusses how Dignity in Restraint, originally created for film, translates to the stage, and how its human, relational qualities allow audiences to connect deeply, even without a traditional narrative.

About Andrea Yorita

Andrea Yorita is from Irvine California, where she received her classical ballet training at Academy of Dance and graduated as a Gillespie Scholar with a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of California. Originally trained under the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) syllabus, Andrea has completed all Vocational R.A.D. exams with Distinction, as well as received the Solo Seal Award. In 2008, Andrea competed as a finalist in the Genee International Ballet Competition in Toronto, Canada. She has participated in the National Choreographers Initiative, as an apprentice, and the Traverse City Dance Project. Andrea was a 2016 Dance Finalist for the Clive Barnes Award. She joined BalletX in 2012 and spent 11 seasons with the company, touring nationally and internationally while working with a multitude of choreographers. She is a former Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of the Arts. She is a freelance artist and co-founder of the Sonder Space in Philadelphia.

About Caili Quan

Caili Quan is a New York-based choreographer who danced with BalletX from 2013 to 2020. She has created works for Ballet West, BalletX, Vail Dance Festival, The Juilliard School, American Repertory Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, School of American Ballet, Flight Path Dance Project, and Ballet Academy East.

With BalletX she performed new works by Matthew Neenan, Nicolo Fonte, Gabrielle Lamb, Penny Saunders, Trey McIntyre, and danced at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Belgrade Dance Festival, and DEMO by Damian Woetzel at the Kennedy Center. She served as an Artistic Partnership Initiative Fellow and a Toulmin Creator at The Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU. Mahålang, a short documentary that wove familial conversations of her Chamorro Filipino upbringing on Guam with scenes from BalletX’s Love Letter, was shown at the Hawai’i International Film Festival, CAAMFest, and the Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center. She recently choreographed her first musical, Guys & Dolls, for Opera Saratoga under the direction of Mary Birnbaum. Caili was a 2022 Artist-in-Residence at the Vail Dance Festival, a 2023 Artist in Residence at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, and an Arnhold Creative Associate at The Juilliard School.

See “Dignity in Restraint” by Caili LIVE in ChoreograpHER April 3-5, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/choreographer [http://madisonballet.org/choreographer]

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects]

REGISTER FOR BALLET 101: https://www.madisonballet.org/school/open-division

Credits

COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

Episode 6 | ChoreograpHER: Andrea Yorita

In this episode of At the Barre, we are joined by Ilana Goldman, Professor of Dance and Director of the BFA program at Florida State University, as well as an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and educator.

Ilana shares her journey from early dance training and her time at Juilliard to a wide-ranging performance career with companies including Oakland Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Trey McIntyre Project, before transitioning into academia and choreography.

This conversation centers on her new work for Madison Ballet’s ChoreographHER, And Everything Is Still…, set to music by Andy Scott. Originally inspired by a short piece she created at Florida State, Ilana expands the work into a larger, multi-sectional piece that explores musicality, spatial design, and the architecture of movement.

Throughout the episode, Ilana offers insight into her creative process and how she worked with the “genius in the room” to create a work that reflects the dancers’ personalities and strengths. Ultimately, her work embraces the idea that dance can mean many things at once, leaving space for audiences to bring their own interpretations to what they see on stage.

About Ilana Goldman

Ilana Goldman is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and educator. She served as Choreographer in Residence of Metro D.C.’s Bowen McCauley Dance (2018–2019) and Artist-in-Residence at Glacier National Park (2022). She has choreographed works for Sacramento Ballet first and second companies, New York Theatre Ballet, ARC Dance Seattle, Tallahassee Ballet, Black Rock City Ballet, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, Perry-Mansfield, Shenandoah University, Missouri State University, Florida State University, and University of Washington, among others. Her work was selected for performances at Brooklyn’s Dumbo Dance Festival and the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival.

She performed professionally as a principal dancer with Oakland Ballet and Sacramento Ballet, as a member of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Trey McIntyre Project, and as a guest artist with Alonzo King LINES Ballet.

See “And Everything Is Still…” by Ilana LIVE in ChoreograpHER April 3-5, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/choreographer [http://madisonballet.org/choreographer]

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects]

UPCOMING MADISON BALLET PERFORMANCES: https://www.madisonballet.org/performances

REGISTER FOR BALLET 101: https://www.madisonballet.org/school/open-division

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

Episode 5 | ChoreograpHER: Ilana Goldman

In this episode of At the Barre, we are joined by Endalyn Taylor Outlaw, Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and guest choreographer for Madison Ballet’s ChoreographHER.

Endalyn shares her journey from a creative childhood in Chicago to an acclaimed career with Dance Theatre of Harlem and on Broadway, to her evolution into a choreographer and educator.

This conversation centers on her work It’s the Thing with Feathers. Inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem Hope is the Thing with Feathers, the piece explores the varied ways hope can show up in our lives, with movement functioning almost as its own character. Set to a dynamic score by Nils Frahm, the piece reflects Endalyn’s interest in blending classical and contemporary vocabularies while creating an expressive, human-centered experience.

Throughout the episode, Endalyn also shares her perspective on the role of academia in the dance world, as both a space for experimentation and a bridge to the professional sphere.

About Endalyn Taylor Outlaw

Dancer, choreographer, and educator Endalyn T. Outlaw (née Taylor) is the dean of the  School of Dance at UNCSA. She has held the positions of director of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) School in New York — a company she joined in 1984, becoming a principal dancer in 1993 — and director of the Cambridge Summer Art Institute in Massachusetts. Her extensive administrative, artistic and academic career is steeped in ballet pedagogy and she has created an eclectic body of choreographic works.

Outlaw excels at restaging ballets, having performed many of the classics and having worked with luminaries in the field including DTH founder Arthur Mitchell, British-American ballet dancer and choreographer Frederick Franklin, director and choreographer of LINES Ballet Alonzo King, American dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille, and director and choreographer of Garth Fagan Dance and “The Lion King,” Garth Fagan. She has performed on Broadway and stages all over the world, including as an original cast member of Tony Award-winning Broadway productions of “The Lion King,” “Aida,” and “Carousel.”

See “It’s the Thing with Feathers” by Endalyn LIVE in ChoreograpHER April 3-5, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/choreographer [http://madisonballet.org/choreographer]

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects]

UPCOMING MADISON BALLET PERFORMANCES: https://www.madisonballet.org/performances

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

Episode 4 | ChoreograpHER: Endalyn Taylor Outlaw

At the Barre with Madison Ballet Special Projects is your behind-the-scenes look at the ideas, stories, and creative processes shaping Madison Ballet’s work.

Hosted by Chris Fahrenthold, each episode

At the Barre with Madison Ballet Special Projects · Zencastr

At the Barre with Madison Ballet Special Projects

At the Barre with Madison Ballet Special Projects is your behind-the-scenes look at the ideas, stories, and creative processes shaping Madison Ballet’s work.

Hosted by Chris Fahrenthold, each episode brings our community a little closer to the dancers, choreographers, and collaborators who are making ballet in Madison right now.

Whether you’re a seasoned balletomane, current or former dancer, or simply curious about how dance gets made, we warmly invite you into the room where it happens.