Milwaukee Ballet Presents Classical and Contemporary Works in 'Encore'

Milwaukee Ballet kicks off the second half of their 2025/26 Season with Encore, a mixed repertory featuring excerpts from classical works alongside distinctive contemporary pieces. This two-week production will take place from January 30 through February 8 at the Company’s home theater, the 172-seat We Energies Performance Studio at Baumgartner Center for Dance.

“Encore is a special opportunity to highlight our dancers’ extensive artistry and range,” says Artistic Director Michael Pink. “The demanding technique required for performing classical ballet comes together with the innovative, modern movements of contemporary dance for an experience that audiences will find truly magnificent and inspiring.”

Encore will feature excerpts from two 19th century classical ballets: August Bournonville’s Napoli and a pas de deux—or “dance for two”— from The Talisman, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa. The Bournonville Style showcased in Napoli is known to be one of the only classical techniques that has retained its authenticity throughout ballet history and presents a unique opportunity for Company Artists to perform this type of stylized and precise dance.

“In The Talisman, we are recreating a grand pas de deux from the longer 19th century full production”, explains Pink, “which will display exhilarating tricks—what we like to call ‘balletic pyrotechnics’—so it will be a real treat to see some of our up-and-coming artists in these roles.”

The contemporary portion of the program includes Vignettes by DaYoung Jung and The Kids Have Names by former Leading Artist/Resident Choreographer Timothy O’Donnell. Audiences may remember Jung’s Vignettes from the 2022 Genesis International Choreographic Competition, where it won the “Audience Favorite” recognition. O’Donnell’s piece, set to the music of Radiohead, premiered as part of the 2023 Originals program. Many of the dancers on which it was created are still with the Company, allowing them to revisit a piece hailed by many as O’Donnell’s most powerful work. Rounding out the program is a much-anticipated new work by Company Artist Eric Figueredo.

“I am thrilled to once again have Eric showcase his incredible choreographic voice,” says Pink. “He created a new piece for himself and Leading Artist Marize Fumero that is just so beautiful—I knew it needed to be shared with our wider audiences.”

Encore is presented with support from media partner Visit Milwaukee. Milwaukee Ballet’s 2025/26 Season is presented by Donald & Donna Baumgartner and the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), with support from Wisconsin Arts Board, CAMPAC, Milwaukee Arts Board, and the National Endowment for the Arts.