Madison Ballet

The second largest dance organization in Wisconsin and Overture Center’s Resident Ballet Company, Madison Ballet has provided world-class professional ballet to the greater Madison area and surrounding communities in south-central Wisconsin for over 40 years.

Best known for its dazzling production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, Madison Ballet’s repertoire features the ballets of well-known choreographers George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, and Peter Anastos, alongside works by emerging choreographers, such as Marika Brussel and Yusha Marie-Sorzano. The company’s performances offer something for audiences of all ages, from timeless stories like Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the high-flying Peter Pan, to contemporary works such as current artistic director Ja’ Malik’s joyous Next Steps for Large Ensemble set to music by Steve Reich.

The School of Madison Ballet (SMB) provides professional ballet instruction for dancers of all ages, and is the official training institute for Madison Ballet. SMB takes students from their very first steps through a comprehensive curriculum of classical ballet and related studies. In 2018, SMB established the city’s first Trainee program, a rigorous course of study focused on preparing students for a career as a professional dancer, and in 2020, SMB opened a second location, offering classes at the new Madison Youth Arts Center on Madison’s near east side.

Madison Ballet is proud to lead the dance community in providing accessible and inclusive arts opportunities for all. Through generous community support, Madison Ballet’s scholarship fund provides $15,000 in tuition assistance annually to aspiring students.