Historic Diana Theatre Tipton & Curiosity
Dance schools across the world have struggled to make it to the stage this past year with the pandemic’s damper on typical performances. For classical dance students, performances and showcases are their biggest events – a culmination of a year’s work. In a year of so many unknowns, En Pointe Indiana Ballet has pivoted again and again to keep students dancing and to help the show go on safely. The latest pivot is taking the Noblesville-based dance school to the big screen at historic Diana Theatre in Tipton for Curiosity The Movie, an original performance inspired by Cirque du Soleil.
“Exactly a year ago, we were figuring out how to tackle virtual classes and find ballet barre stand-ins for home. Then came our small socially distant summer showcase on the studio lawn and our signature holiday performance bumped up to mid-November on the last warm weekend with an outdoor stage built in under 24 hours,” said Co-Artistic Director Robert Moore. “To say it’s been a challenging 365 days, would be putting it mildly.”
“We didn’t want to disappoint our students and families by not being able to bring to life our annual original performance, Curiosity, but we also desire to keep everyone safe” said Moore. “It was amazing ah-ha moment, when our team came up with the idea to safely film the performance in sections at Noblesville’s historic Mill Top building, produce a movie and offer several showings at a local family-owned theater.”
“Things are so slow for theatres,” said Nick Paikos, co-owner of the Diana Theatre. “Partnering with En Pointe Indiana Ballet seemed like such a great opportunity for both sides. We’ve done special showings, but nothing like this ever before. Everything came together so seamlessly, even with the vaccines starting to roll out. It’s going to be our biggest event in two years.” 
Curiosity is a jazz inspired piece set in the romantic Victorian era where science and the Industrial Revolution were new and fantastical. The original piece is En Pointe’s own take on the peculiar fantasy world of steampunk science fiction and showcases all genres of dance including modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop.
Curiosity The Movie premieres on Tuesday April 13, 2021 with a 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. showing and a special red carpet event in between. Seating is limited due for social distancing. Additional showings will take place on April 18, 19 and 20. Tickets are available at https://enpointe.yapsody.com
About the Historic Diana Theatre in Tipton: The original Diana Theatre opened as the Grand Theatre in 1915 and became the Diana Theatre in 1926 when the Paikos family purchased it and transformed it into a local silent movie theatre. Currently operated by the 3rd generation of the Paikos family, this June they will celebrate their 95th anniversary. Today, the theatre is a one screen theatre that operates four days a week. Tickets are affordably priced, compared to the large multiplex theatres, at $5 for adults and $3 for children. Popcorn, drinks and candy are available as well. The Diana Theatre is currently showing Godzilla vs. Kong.
