Cassandra Trenary’s Transition to Vienna State Ballet: A New Chapter

Her move to Europe coincides with the tenure of new company director Alessandra Ferri, a legendary ballerina with whom Trenary has cultivated a close artistic partnership. Since relocating to Vienna, Trenary has expanded her repertoire to include works by Alexei Ratmansky, George Balanchine, and Justin Peck, while continuing to perform contemporary solos on the international stage.

Artistic Growth Under Alessandra Ferri

Working directly with Ferri, Trenary has shifted her focus toward finding deeper humanity and emotional truth in classical roles. According to Trenary, the goal is to prioritize the motivation behind every movement rather than focusing solely on technical perfection. This approach has allowed her to tackle major classical lead roles, including her May 2025 debut in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, a production she had long sought to perform.

Professional Life in Vienna

Moving from the American Ballet Theatre—a company where she spent over a decade—to the Vienna State Ballet has provided Trenary with a more frequent performance schedule. She notes that the daily demands of the Vienna stage have helped her regain the comfort and flow she experienced early in her career as a corps de ballet member at ABT. The company environment in Vienna is highly international, featuring dancers from Italy, Brazil, Portugal, Ukraine, and Russia. While the transition to a new city has presented personal challenges, Trenary describes the experience as a period of self-discovery, fueled by museum visits in Paris and a newfound appreciation for the quiet, structured pace of life in Vienna.

Return to State of Darkness

Despite her busy schedule in Europe, Trenary continues to maintain her connection to contemporary works. This summer, she returns to Molissa Fenley’s State of Darkness, a demanding solo set to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. Trenary first performed the piece in 2020, and she describes the work as a meditative vessel for processing personal vulnerability. She is scheduled to perform the solo at the Joyce Theater in New York City on July 19, 2025, followed by appearances at the Venice Biennale between July 31 and August 1.

Key Details of the Transition

• Director: The company is currently led by former prima ballerina Alessandra Ferri.
• Repertoire Expansion: Recent roles include Balanchine’s Rubies, Ratmansky’s Kallirhoe, and the lead in Manon.
• Upcoming Performances: State of Darkness performances are set for July 2025 in New York and Italy.