In this episode of At the Barre with Madison Ballet, host Chris Fahrenthold sits down with Janessa Urwin, costume designer for Madison Ballet’s upcoming production of Jekyll & Hyde, to explore how costumes help tell a story.

Janessa shares her journey from professional ballet dancer to costume designer, including how an unexpected opportunity at American Repertory Ballet opened the door to a new career in the arts. She discusses the creative process behind designing costumes for Jekyll & Hyde, from researching Victorian influences and medical imagery to using color, texture, and structure to bring each character to life.

Drawing on her experience as a dancer, Janessa explains why functionality and safety are essential to costume design and how every garment must support the dancers’ movement as well as partnering demands.

Key points in this episode:

• Janessa’s journey from professional ballet dancer to costume designer
• The balance between visual storytelling, movement, and safety in ballet costume design
• The research and creative collaboration behind the costumes for Jekyll & Hyde
• How color, texture, and historical influences help distinguish the production’s characters
• Career paths in the arts beyond performing and advice for dancers exploring their next steps

See JEKYLL & HYDE @ Madison Youth Arts Center October 29 - November 1, 2026

https://www.madisonballet.org/jekyll-hyde-info

Join the conversation!

Madison Ballet Website: madisonballet.org

Madison Ballet Outreach: madisonballet.org/outreach

MB INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballet

MBO INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetoutreach

Questions/comments? Email us at outreach@madisonballet.org

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Dana Sheldon

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

In this episode of At the Barre with Madison Ballet, Director of Outreach Chris Fahrenthold sits down with Artistic/Executive Director Ja’ Malik and Rehearsal Director/School Principal Richard Walters to discuss Jekyll & Hyde, a new full-length ballet opening Madison Ballet’s 45th anniversary season.

Choreographed collaboratively by Ja’ and Richard, Jekyll and Hyde explores the duality of human nature, the tension between our public and private selves, and the ways beauty and darkness can coexist. Set to music by composer Michael Nyman, originally written for the documentary McQueen, the production takes a psychological approach to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story.

Ja’ and Richard share how they navigate the collaborative choreographic process using classical ballet technique in new and unexpected ways. They also discuss the role of costumes, projections, lighting, and set design in creating an immersive theatrical experience.

Whether you’re a longtime ballet enthusiast or new to the art form, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a new story ballet takes shape, and an invitation to experience dance with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to be challenged.

Key points in this episode:

• How Michael Nyman’s score for the documentary McQueen inspired the production
• How two choreographers with different creative processes collaborate to build a cohesive, full-length production
• Exploring the duality of human nature, from the personas we present to the struggles we keep hidden
• The contrast between ballet’s seemingly effortless beauty and the physical demands and sacrifices behind the scenes
• How Ja’ and Richard are blending classical ballet technique with contemporary movement to develop characters and tell a more complex story
• The role of costumes, projections, lighting, and visual design in building the world of Jekyll & Hyde

See JEKYLL & HYDE @ Madison Youth Arts Center October 29 - November 1, 2026

https://www.madisonballet.org/jekyll-hyde-info

Join the conversation!

Madison Ballet Website: madisonballet.org

Madison Ballet Outreach: madisonballet.org/outreach

MB INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballet

MBO INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetoutreach

Questions/comments? Email us at outreach@madisonballet.org

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Dana Sheldon

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

JA’ MALIK & RICHARD WALTERS HEADSHOTS: Lexia Frank Photography

In this episode of At the Barre with Madison Ballet, Director of Outreach Chris Fahrenthold sits down with Outreach Programs Coordinator Caitlin Sloan to talk about Madison Ballet’s exciting new chapter and what audiences can expect from the 2026–27 season.

Madison Ballet Special Projects has officially evolved into Madison Ballet Outreach, becoming a division of the company itself. While much of the work remains the same, this new structure allows the team to expand its programming, collaborate with more dancers and faculty, reach more schools and libraries, and create even more opportunities for the Madison community to experience ballet.

• What’s changing, and what isn’t, with the transition from Madison Ballet Special Projects to Madison Ballet Outreach
• How becoming part of the company will allow Outreach to expand its programming
• The role of the trainee program and why trainees are such an important bridge between student life and a professional ballet career
• How Madison Ballet hopes to bring ballet directly into schools, libraries, bookstores, and other community spaces
• Plans for opening-night Q&As, pre-show talks, and opportunities for audiences to learn more about the work they are about to see
• The importance of creating context around ballet and helping audiences understand what they are seeing on stage
• Why bringing more people into the ballet is at the heart of Madison Ballet Outreach’s mission

At its core, this episode is about connection: connecting Madison Ballet with its community, connecting audiences with the artists who make ballet, and creating more opportunities for people to discover (and fall in love with!) the art form.

See JEKYLL & HYDE @ Madison Youth Arts Center October 29 - November 1, 2026

https://www.madisonballet.org/jekyll-hyde-info

Join the conversation!

Madison Ballet Website: madisonballet.org

MB INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballet

MBO INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetoutreach

Questions/comments? Email us at outreach@madisonballet.org

Credits

PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Dana Sheldon

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