By Steve Sucato for Point Magazine + Madison Ballet’s long-term goal of becoming a full-time professional ballet company finally came to fruition in 2022 with the hiring of new artistic director Ja’ Malik. Founded in 1981 as Wisconsin Dance Ensemble to produce an annual Nutcracker production, the organization’s fortunes had waxed and waned over its four decades. A turning point came in 1999 with the arrival of previous … Continue reading Madison Ballet Comes Into Its Own Under Director Ja’ Malik