Cassandra Trenary: From ABT to Vienna State Ballet — A New Chapter | Pushing Over the Box

Cassandra Trenary spent years dreaming of becoming a principal dancer at ABT — and then, at the height of her career, chose to leave it all behind and start over in Vienna. Her honesty about why she made that leap, what back-to-back injuries taught her about creativity, and the advice she'd give her younger self about caring too deeply is one of the most moving conversations on this podcast.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Cassandra Trenary, former Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre and current company dancer at the Vienna State Opera. They discuss her transition into ABT and rise through the ranks, what led her to leave New York and start a new chapter in Vienna, and why she wishes she'd been less ashamed of how much she cared at 13.

TIMESTAMPS:

[12:20] Transition into ABT and Rising Through the Ranks

[25:28] Leaving ABT for the Vienna State Opera

[46:18] Advice for Young Dancers

ABOUT THE GUEST: Cassandra Trenary is a former Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre and current company dancer at the Vienna State Opera under the direction of Alessandra Ferri. Originally from Georgia, she trained at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School before joining the company at 17. She is also an accomplished dance photographer and creative artist.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

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Topics discussed: leaving ABT, Vienna State Opera, ballet career transitions, back-to-back injuries, creativity during injury

Guest: Cassandra Trenary — Former Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre; Dancer, Vienna State Opera

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com