En Pointe ‘s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Ballet Will Bring Nonsense to Life

I have been hearing good things about En Pointe Indiana Ballet’s newest production, “The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland,” since before rehearsals began.

Every time that I watch a production by the Noblesville-based dance school  — from “En Pointe Christmas” and “Don Quixote” in the Noblesville High School Auditorium to “Curiosity” on the big screen at the historic Diana Theatre in Tipton — I am amazed at the creativity, high level of talent and hours of dedicated practice.

There are about 100 dancers in each of these productions, which never disappoint.

This week, En Pointe takes its new full-length ballet on the road, to neighboring Madison County, to Reardon Auditorium at Anderson University. It’s well worth the easy 30-minute drive from Noblesville to attend a production at the gorgeous, nearly 40-year-old, auditorium, where the stage is easily visible from every seat in the 2,200-seat auditorium. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. As an added bonus, the auditorium’s grand foyer is being used for “Alice’s Tea Party Luncheon,” a sold-out En Pointe event just before Saturday’s matinee. (The luncheon will include a character meet-and-greet as well as elaborately decorated themed tables for the attendees who will play a game of “Alice Bingo” and receive a treat bag for the show.)

“The Adventures in Alice in Wonderland” ballet tells the story of Alice, a young girl, who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world that doesn’t make sense.

“The production is a perfect addition to our repertoire because it’s fun for the students and audiences alike. They know the story. From our perspective, we also have creative license on our interpretation of the choreography and costuming. It’s colorful and entertaining,” said Anne Moore, who co-owns the ballet school with husband, Chris Moore, who operate the business side, while Chris’ brother, Robert Moore and wife Pollyana Ribeiro, are artistic directors and professional ballet dancers who teach En Pointe classes and create the productions. Both couples live in Noblesville.

The costumes are fabulous for this show. But making costumes adds a layer of difficulty when created for dancers. “We start with an inspiration picture and begin sourcing materials. We had some fails, but we just regroup and try again. I think the hedgehogs will steal the show this year,” Anne Moore said.

The dancers began rehearsing at the end of March. “It is not easy to build a full production from scratch, but this final week of rehearsals we enjoyed seeing everything come together,” she said.

This year, En Pointe is trying something new with a short-throw projector to project large images on backdrops. “This will allow us to change the scenes quickly and add more dynamics to the performance,” Anne Moore said.

Robert Moore and Pollyana Ribeiro use the elegance of ballet to translate this imaginary world into “a beautiful quizzical work of art.”

Rob Moore grew up here studying ballet but at age 14 left home and moved to Florida to train as a dancer. After graduating from Harid Ballet Conservatory in Boca Raton, Fla., he auditioned and accepted a position dancing professionally for Boston Ballet and later Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, making a name for himself in the ballet world. Pollyana Ribeiro, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was born into her aunt’s famous ballet studio and took her career seriously from a young age. She won three gold medals in ballet and accepted a position dancing at Boston Ballet at age 16. By age 18, she was promoted to principal dancer, an achievement that some dancers never reach. She has danced in more than 40 countries.

The couple teach ballet, direct their shows together and perform in their shows every year.

The ballet school has grown in size as much as the shows have grown in popularity.

“We are growing and welcoming students every day. If you want to learn classical ballet and love to perform, then En Pointe is the place for you,” Anne Moore said.

The “Alice” cast ranges in ages from 3 years to the school’s pre-professional division up to 19 years of age.

“The audience is always blown away with the talent at all ages,” Anne Moore has said.

En Pointe has been busy not only rehearsing for this show but also competing. In March, En Pointe dancers participated in the annual Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Competition, the world’s largest student ballet scholarship competition, with nine competing. Chris and Anne’s son, Joey Moore, earned first place Men’s Classical Solo. Abby Burnette of Noblesville won Top 24 Senior Classical Solo. Bella Gomillion of Noblesville was a Top 12 junior classical solo finisher as well as a Top 24 junior contemporary soloist. John Paul Pack of Carmel was a Top 12 junior classical solo. Lily Belle McKamie of Noblesville won the Top 12 pre-competitive classical solo.

What’s upcoming with En Pointe in summer 2023? Summer Intensive and Discovery Dance Camp is offered June 6-30, with the pre-professional division performing June 10 at the Palladium in Carmel. There is still time to sign up for summer classes. Deadline for August classes is July 1, however, new students are accepted year-round.

But before summer, there is also Music in Motion, featuring modern pieces and high-energy choreography by Robert Moore at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. May 20 at Fishers High School Auditorium with tickets available online, with total proceeds to benefit the Fishers Marching Tiger Band’s 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade trip.

Robert Moore has said, “The best way to support a local business like ours is to come to the show. Experience the performing arts with us. You will love it.”

-Betsy Reason writes about people, places and things in Hamilton County. To contact Times Editor Betsy Reason, email betsy@thetimes24-7com.