By Peg McRoy Glover
The Children’s Ballet made a huge leap forward by opening the doors of a second studio in Plainfield Feb. 13.
Located across from Plainfield’s new performing, exhibition and event center, Hendricks Live!, the new studio is double the space of the ballet’s current home in Danville. The school anticipates its first performance at Hendricks Live! will be in spring 2024.
“The opening of the Children’s Ballet’s second studio reinforces the idea that downtown Plainfield is an artistic destination,” said Chris Petrelli, Hendricks Live! executive director. “We have a shared mission and camaraderie. I love that it is so close. People will be coming to the downtown area to express their creativity, learn new things and connect to the arts in a way that they don’t have an opportunity to do now.”
Located at 211 West Main St., the new studio has windows that overlook Main Street, waiting room, office, storage room and reception area. The entrance in the rear of the studio eliminates foot traffic across the new studio and rehearsal space.
“This new location is a blessing because we were looking to expand. We are very thankful for this beautiful space,” said Emily Miser, The Children’s Ballet artistic director. “The space was in really good shape. We simply added some mirrors and bars. It has a lot of amenities we are happy to have.”
Historically the ballet school has had a waiting list for students to attend. The new studio opening brought in 30 students, and leaders say at least 75-80 new students will attend in the coming year, increasing the school’s enrollment by approximately 50%.
“The new studio definitely makes us more accessible to kids in the county who want to study ballet,” said Miser. “Our biggest student pool is from Danville where our first studio is located. Our second largest student pool is from in and around Plainfield, so we are excited to be able to expand our reach into that part of Hendricks County.”
Ballet assistant director Vanessa Schuldt was amazed when she first saw the new space.
“We can have larger classes and larger rehearsal space,” said Schuldt. “Being across from Hendricks Live! is a giant blessing. I never dreamed we would be able to perform in such a place. We are very lucky.”
The Children’s Ballet is a nonprofit classical ballet school and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Visit thechildrensballet.com.
