Genesis Call for Entries
We are now accepting submissions for Genesis 2026, the eleventh installment of our biennial choreographic competition. The production will be presented at the historic Pabst Theater in downtown Milwaukee, March 13-15, 2026
About the Competition
Artistic Director Michael Pink will select three choreographers to create a 20-minute work using eight Company dancers for a minimum of 75 hours of rehearsal time. Transportation to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, along with hotel lodging and daily per diem, will be provided.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 plus a commission to create a new piece for Milwaukee Ballet at a mutually agreeable time. The other two choreographers will receive $3,000 each.
The winner of the “Audience Choice Award” will win an additional $500.
Entry Deadline: October 31, 2025
Notification: December 2025
Arrival: mid-February 2026
Production: March 13-15, 2026
Requirements
Eligible choreographers must meet and/or agree to the following requirements.
- Must have prior experience creating work for a professional dance company.
- If residing outside the United States, one must have a passport and the ability to obtain travel authorization.
- All competition works must be new creations.
- Music must be pre-recorded and from the public domain or used with the composer’s permission without fees.
- Works can be augmented with simply constructed costumes from Milwaukee Ballet’s existing stock of contemporary and classical wardrobes.
- Choreographers agree that any works created for Genesis may be used by Milwaukee Ballet Company or the Milwaukee Ballet II Second Company for three years without royalty payments, with works restaged by Milwaukee Ballet artistic staff. The choreographer will be notified of such use.
How to Enter
All interested parties MUST apply through the entry form below, including the following requirements.
- Choreographers must submit a link to a choreographic reel that contains two excerpts of previous work no more than two years old. Video submission must not exceed 10 minutes total. YouTube orVimeo is preferred.
- A written proposal and biography in English, and a headshot must accompany the entry.
- Questions can be sent to connect@milwaukeeballet.org.
Entry Deadline: October 31, 2025
Notification: December 2025
Past Finalists & Winners
2002
Laura Gorenstein Miller, USA
Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Denmark
John Utans, Australia (winner)
2007
Josef Hajzer, Hungary
Victor Plotnikov, Ukraine
Nelly van Bommel, France (winner)
2009
Maurice Causey, USA
Cameron McMillan, Australia
Timothy O’Donnell, Australia (winner)
2011
Mauro de Candia, Italy (winner)
Lucas Jervies, Australia
Edgar Zendejas, Mexico
2013
Lauren Edson, USA
James Gregg, USA
Gabrielle Lamb, USA (winner)
2015
Garrett Smith, USA (winner)
Riccardo DiNigris, Italy
Matthew Tusa, Australia
2017
Enrico Morelli, Italy
Mariana Oliveira, Brazil
George Williamson, England (winner)
2019
Cass Mortimer Eipper, Australia
Aleix Mañé, Spain (winner)
Kenneth Tindall, Scotland
2022
Nadine Barton, USA
Price Suddarth, USA (winner)
DaYoung Jung, USA
2024
Tsai Hsi Hung, USA (winner)
Jack Lister, Australia
Lorenzo di Loretto, Italy
About Milwaukee Ballet
Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and founded in 1970, Milwaukee Ballet transforms lives and connects communities through inspiring performance, community engagement, education, and training. Milwaukee Ballet hosts an international company of 24 dancers and a second company of 20 dancers, and is one of the few dance organizations in the nation to maintain its own orchestra.
Michael Pink, Artistic Director
Michael Pink is the longest-serving Artistic Director in the organization’s history. Since joining Milwaukee Ballet Company in 2002, he has established himself as a prominent member of Milwaukee’s arts community, demonstrating his commitment to the future of dance through new work (including six full-length world premieres), education, and community engagement.