the mad city dancers

Dance with TEAMMATES as a member of the MAD City Dancers.

Auditions to become a member of the MAD City Dancers are held each spring.

The MAD City Dancers are composed of three teams based upon age and ability. Our mission is to create a positive environment for dancers to work together as a team and grow as dancers.

Dancers rehearse on Saturday mornings as a group. The MAD City Dancers open and close the Monona Academy of Dance end of year recitals.

2024-2025 Season

About us

The MAD City Dancers rehearse together on Saturday mornings at the Madison location of Monona Academy of Dance. The Minis rehearse from 9:00AM - 11:00AM, Juniors 10:00AM - 12:00PM, and Teens 11:00AM - 1:00PM.

Members of the team are required to take weekly classes in ballet, tap and jazz. Modern and Hip Hop are optional. If wishing to compete as a soloist, private lessons are required. Billing is done at the beginning of the Academic Year (Aug/Sept 2024) and billed in two terms. 2023-2024 dancer dues per term were Minis $250, Juniors $250, Teens $300 and Seniors $300. Competition fees are additional and include: choreography, shoes, costuming, entry fees and day of coaching.

Teams are composed by age and ability. Minis (Ages 7-12), Juniors (Ages 10-13), Teens (12+). The competition philosophy of Monona Academy of Dance and the MAD City Dancers is first growth as a dancer and person, to have fun, and to have success in the competition setting. Dancers will have the opportunity to compete at least one regional convention and sometimes multiple regional competitions including but not limited to: New York City Dance Alliance, Youth America Grand Prix, Showstoppers, NUVO, Hollywood Vibe, OnStage, Beyond the Stars and Imagine. Two of our favorites are described below.

Youth America Grand Prix - soloists and small groups will compete at YAGP based upon Jo Jean's selection. Soloists must be taking private lessons through Monona Academy of Dance, be members of the MAD City Dancers and choreography purchased through Monona Academy of Dance. During the past decade Monona Academy of Dance has had dancers place in the Top 3 in Contemporary, Top 12 Contemporary and Top 20 Classical Variations. A number of small groups have also earned a spot to compete at the International Finals.  YAGP is the largest ballet scholarship awarding competition in the world.

New York City Dance Alliance - over the course of the last two decades the MAD City Dancers have regularly participated in the Chicago Regional Competition of NYCDA.  Ms. Retrum loves the philosphy of NYCDA and how it exposes her dancers to all types of dance performance.  NYCDA offers multiple scholarships to regional workshops, its national finals and its summer intensives. Monona Academy of Dance has had numerous soloists in the top 15 at various age levels and its small group performances have earned multiple Platinum awards and nominations for Critic's Choice.