John Cartwright is originally from Madisonville, KY and began his training in Evansville, IN at the Children’s Center for Dance Education. He continued his studies with the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Austin, National Taiwan University of the Arts, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. John graduated from Butler University in 2008 with a degree in Dance and Arts Administration. He has had the privilege to perform works by Bob Fosse, Bella Lewitzky, Sybil Shearer, Ann Reinking, Val Caniprioli, Ron de Jesus, Steven Mills, Amy Seiwert, Helen Pickett, Lila York, KT Nelson, Garfield Lemonius, Kevin Iega Jeff, Lucas Crandall, Brian Enos, Autumn Eckman, Kristina Isabelle, Robyn Mineko Williams, and Wade Schaaf. John has performed as a guest artist with Chicago-land companies such as Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater, NoMi Dance Company, Momenta Dance Company, Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, and the Berkshire Ballet Theater.
Before coming to Chicago, John performed and choreographed for the Louisville Ballet and Louisville’s Moving Collective. His choreography has also been produced for main stage, touring, and educational outreach shows for Thodos Dance Chicago. John was a member of Thodos Dance Chicago for 7 seasons and was the co-artistic director of Thodos Dance Chicago’s Youth Ensemble for 5 years. Currently, John is the Faculty Head of the Secondary Program at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Youth Dance Program. He also teaches at the North Suburban School of Dance in Northbrook, IL, The Dance Workshop in Orland Park, IL, the Lake Forest Dance Academy in Lake Forest, IL, and the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, which holds their summer residency at Centre College in Danville, KY. John has appeared as a guest artist with Chicago Repertory Ballet on several occasions, including the company’s debut performance, but this is his first full season as a company member.