Romeo & Juliet rehearsal. Courtesy of Missy Rust. Used with permission.
Romeo & Juliet rehearsal. Courtesy of Missy Rust. Used with permission.
Indiana Ballet Conservatory (IBC) will debut its first full-length Romeo & Juliet May 22–23 at The Tarkington Theater (Payne Mencias Allied Center for the Performing Arts) in Carmel, with a May 30 tour stop at Eagles Theatre in Wabash. The production is part of IBC’s 15th anniversary season and marks a major milestone for the nationally renowned pre-professional ballet institution.
IBC Founder and Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva has reimagined the ballet with theatrical storytelling and original choreography for more than 100 dancers across multiple age divisions.
Enhancing the theatrical experience, IBC has invited musicians from nearby Meridian Music to perform live for portions of the ballet, underscoring the collaborative spirit of Carmel’s performing arts community.
“I have waited many years to stage Romeo and Juliet I wanted to create it only when I felt ready as a choreographer – and when we had the dancers who could bring this story to life. This year, the artistry at IBC is exceptional. It is the perfect moment for this premiere,” says Yakovleva.
Romeo & Juliet rehearsal. Courtesy of Missy Rust. Used with permission.
Work on the ballet began in summer 2025. Rehearsals have emphasized technical precision alongside the emotional nuance and dramatic artistry needed to tell one of literature’s most enduring love stories.
The cast features emerging young artists, with Carmel resident Emily Geon and Westfield student Clara Crane sharing the role of Juliet. Fishers student James Agustus Leinauer dances Romeo, Fishers resident Thomas Wilcutts appears as Mercutio, and Indianapolis resident Colby White portrays Lord Capulet.
Guest artists include IBC alum Justin Hamilton, now attending Indiana University, and Ian Anderson-Conlon of Louisville Ballet.
Founded in 2010, Indiana Ballet Conservatory is recognized nationally for its professional training and alumni success, most recently ranking number three among pre-professional ballet schools in the United States. This anniversary production reflects IBC’s continued artistic growth and its commitment to developing the next generation of professional dancers.
Performance information and tickets for Romeo & Juliet are available at www.IndianaBalletConservatory.org
