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

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

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