Artists

Benjamin Holliday Wardell is the founder and Creative Director of The Cambrians. His dance training began in ballet and has since widened to encompass a broad technical range. In his 18 years as a professional dancer, Ben has had the privilege to work with many of the world’s leading dance makers on innovative performance ventures. His career began with The Cincinnati Ballet, where he achieved the rank of soloist before moving to San Francisco to dance with Alonzo Kingʼs LINES Ballet. After that he joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for over four years. Since leaving Hubbard he has been freelancing. With Chicago as home base, he has toured internationally with Aszure Barton and Artists, created work with Ron de Jesus Dance, and was an ensemble member of Lucky Plush Productions from 2012-2016. He has also performed with Lar Lubovitch, co-created and performed a 20 minute solo work with Michael Tilson Thomas and Pat Birch at New World Symphony in Miami, and made several operas with director James Darrah. He was the recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award and was a 2015 Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist. Ben loves collaborating across mediums, with as many people as possible.