Ben Wendel and Rachel Nehmer met as biology students at Haverford College. After a successful stint as lab partners, the couple decidedto test out their chemistry...this time, in the air.

Duo Madrona created their trapeze duet at Seattle’s School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA), and made their debut at the 2006 Moisture Festival. In the years following they have logged thousands of performances across the US and Europe, including the 29th Festival du Cirque de Demain, Circus Flora, Tigerpalast Variete, Palazzo, Circus Monti, Circus Syzygy, Acrobatic Conundrum, Flynn Creek Circus and an appearance on French television with Patrick Sebastien’s “Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde”.

Ben and Rachel have been exploring the rich theatrical universe of Teatro ZinZanni since 2009. From monster to mayor, from scientist to chorus girl, to falling down the rabbit hole and ending up in the same Alice dress, the duo has brought to life a wide variety of memorable characters. In real life, Ben and Rachel are based in Seattle and are proud parents of two wild children.