CENTRAL INDIANA DANCE ENSEMBLE

What CENTRAL INDIANA DANCE ENSEMBLE does

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble (CIDE) is a private non-profit pre-professional dance company founded in 1999 by Suzann DeLay in Carmel, Indiana. The company provides cultural and educational enrichment to the central Indiana community through three annual productions—The Nutcracker (December, featuring over 100 dancers), Mixed Rep (a mid-winter repertory concert of classical and contemporary works), and a spring production such as The Sleeping Beauty—and through training programs, community outreach, and scholarship pathways. CIDE is an Honor Company member of Regional Dance America (since 2006) and a member of The Ballet Alliance, with instructional staff certified in the ABT National Training Curriculum and Progressing Ballet Technique. The affiliated Central Indiana Academy of Dance, founded in 2009, provides the pre-professional training pipeline that feeds the company.

CIDE serves multiple customer segments: aspiring young dancers seeking pre-professional training and performance experience, families and general audiences purchasing tickets for cultural enrichment, non-profit youth organizations (Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters) purchasing discounted group tickets, inner-city school children receiving complimentary performances, and local businesses purchasing season program advertising and corporate sponsorships. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, tax-deductible donations, corporate sponsorships, season program advertising, merchandise sales via the CIDE Store, and contributions in lieu of volunteer requirements ($500 for Youth Company, $1,000 for adult Company members). Audience reach exceeds 4,500 in-person patrons per season plus streaming audiences.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operates with a lean staff of 8 employees, supported by artistic leadership (Executive/Founding Director Suzann DeLay, Artistic Director Ashley Jacobs, Rehearsal Director Paul Tillman, Ballet Mistress Megan Tillman, Youth Director Anna Davis) and the Friends of CIDE volunteer organization. CIDE's alumni have placed at major professional companies including Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the School of American Ballet. The company has received the YAGP Outstanding School Award (2012, 2014), the Distinguished Hoosier Award from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, and the Outstanding Citizen Award from Carmel Mayor Sue Finkham.

Name

CENTRAL INDIANA DANCE ENSEMBLE

Legal name

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Inc.

Website

https://cidedance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble is a non-profit pre-professional dance company that produces three annual ballet productions and provides cultural enrichment and training programs for aspiring young dancers, families, and community audiences in central Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts (Dance)

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112), Dance Companies (711120)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Pre-professional ballet
• Dance performances
• Ballet training
• Community arts
• Dance education

Headquarters

HQ city

Carmel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for performances including The Nutcracker, Mixed Rep, and The Sleeping Beauty. Full-length ballets run approximately 2 hours with reserved seating.
2. Donations and Contributions: Private non-profit organization relies on community donations to fund productions. Accepts tax-deductible contributions and corporate sponsorships.
3. Merchandise and Store Sales: CIDE Store sells alumni scholarships, contributions in lieu of volunteering, and fundraising items including festival merchandise, spring ballet items, and summer intensive fees.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship opportunities provide benefits to businesses while supporting dance performances, training, scholarships, and regional/national performance opportunities.
5. Season Program Advertising: Businesses place advertisements in season program books, reaching over 4,500 in-person audience members plus streaming patrons.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble is a non-profit pre-professional dance company that produces three major annual ballet performances (The Nutcracker, Mixed Rep, and The Sleeping Beauty) and provides pre-professional dance training through its affiliated academy. The company sells tickets to live performances, offers community outreach programs, and supports scholarships for aspiring dancers in central Indiana.

Product overview

Central Indiana Dance Ensemble operates as a pre-professional dance company providing cultural and educational enrichment to central Indiana through multiple performance productions and training programs. The core offerings include three main season productions: The Nutcracker (annual December performance featuring 100+ dancers), Mixed Rep (mid-winter repertory concert with classical and contemporary works), and a spring production (which has included The Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and Coppélia). Supporting programs include the CIDE Store (selling tickets, company fees, and fundraising items like the Alumni Scholarship), the Summer Intensive training program, and the Ballet Alliance Festival (annual multi-day event with master classes and scholarship opportunities). The Friends of CIDE volunteer organization supports productions through fundraising activities. Community outreach includes discounted Girl Scout tickets, group sales to non-profits, and complimentary performances for inner-city school children.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Nutcracker Annual full-length ballet production featuring over 100 dancers from central Indiana. A beloved classic set to Tchaikovsky's score, performed at Star Bank Performing Arts Center at Zionsville High School. Targeted at families and general audiences seeking holiday cultural enrichment.
• Mixed Rep Mid-winter repertory concert showcasing Senior and Apprentice dancers performing original choreography alongside classical works, including excerpts from Don Quixote. Performed at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
• The Sleeping Beauty Classical ballet production telling the story of Princess Aurora, whose fate is guided by benevolent fairies, challenged by a wicked curse, and ultimately transformed by true love. Features dazzling choreography, memorable characters, and Tchaikovsky's score. Performed at The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
• Peter Pan Full-length ballet production based on the classic story of Peter Pan, featured in the 2025-2026 season program.
• Summer Intensive Intensive dance training program offered through the CIDE Store for dancers seeking concentrated instruction during the summer.
• Group Sales Program Discount group tickets offered to registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations, with special discounts for Girl Scouts and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
• Donations Program Tax-deductible contribution program supporting CIDE productions including costumes, scenery, theater space, technicians, guest artists, and music.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program offering benefits to businesses while supporting dance performances, training, scholarships, and regional/national performance opportunities.
• Season Program Advertising Full-color advertisements in season program books reaching 4,500+ in-person audience members plus streaming patrons.
• CIDE Store (Online Retail) Online store selling dance-related items including Company Fees, Festival items, Fundraising items, Nutcracker merchandise, Spring Ballet items, Summer Intensive items, and Contributions in lieu of volunteering.
• The Ballet Alliance Festival Annual 4-day festival where dancers take master classes from renowned instructors, participate in dance seminars, perform for peers, and meet recruiters from ballet schools and professional dance companies. Over $66,000 in scholarships distributed at the 2019 Festival.
• Community Outreach Performances Complimentary performances of The Nutcracker provided to children from inner-city schools, promoting arts access beyond traditional constituencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 dancers per production
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Ballet AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of The Ballet Alliance, a network of regional dance companies sharing rigorous training methods and innovative choreography. CIDE participates in annual 4-day festivals where dancers take master classes, perform for peers, and connect with recruiters from world-class ballet schools and professional companies. Over $66,000 in scholarships were distributed at the 2019 Festival.
• Regional Dance AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIDE is an Honor Company member of Regional Dance America since 2006. This association provides access to evaluation processes, professional development, choreography support, and board development resources. CIDE's founding director Suzann DeLay served as President for the Mid-States Board of Directors.
• Central Indiana Academy of DancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owned pre-professional dance academy (14950 Greyhound Court, Suite 4, Carmel, IN 46032) that provides training for CIDE dancers. Founded in 2009 to support the resident pre-professional company. Awarded Youth American Grand Prix Outstanding School Award in 2012 and 2014.
• Star Bank Performing Arts Center at Zionsville High SchoolminorOthersPerformance venue for The Nutcracker production (December 11-13). Provides theater space for the company's holiday production.
• The Tarkington at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing ArtsminorOthersPerformance venue for Mixed Rep and The Sleeping Beauty productions in Carmel, Indiana.
• American Ballet Theatre (ABT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIDE instructors are ABT Certified Teachers who have completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum, ensuring high-quality ballet instruction aligned with professional standards.
• School of American BalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding director Suzann DeLay was invited to attend National Teachers Weekend at the School of American Ballet in 2010. Alumni Price Suddarth attended SAB and became Pacific Northwest Ballet Soloist.
• Ice MillerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support for CIDE productions and operations.
• Indiana Arts CommissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState arts funding organization providing grant support for CIDE's cultural programming.
• Kinney DancewearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDancewear retailer and corporate sponsor listed on CIDE sponsors page.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Indianapolis School of Ballet: Pre-professional ballet training school in Indianapolis. Direct peer for aspiring dancers and training pipeline; both compete for central Indiana ballet students and feed regional dance talent.
• Central Indiana Academy of Dance: Pre-professional dance academy co-located with and closely affiliated with CIDE. Direct peer for ballet training in central Indiana; effectively the feeder school, but competes for students with other regional academies.
• Indianapolis Ballet: Indianapolis-based professional ballet company serving central Indiana. Direct competitor for classical ballet audiences, donors, corporate sponsors, and aspiring dancers in the same Carmel/Indianapolis market.

Regional players

• Ballet Arizona: Regional ballet company based in Phoenix, Arizona producing classical and contemporary works. Comparable as a regional Honor Company-style organization staging Nutcracker, mixed repertory, and full-length classical productions with pre-professional training.
• Louisville Ballet: Regional ballet company in Louisville, Kentucky producing classical and contemporary repertoire with associated school. Comparable scale and pre-professional training model serving a Midwestern/Southern audience similar to CIDE's catchment.
• Nashville Ballet: Regional professional ballet company with associated School of Nashville Ballet. Comparable operating model of regional repertory company + training academy producing Nutcracker and classical full-length works.
• Ballet Arkansas: Regional professional ballet company in Little Rock, Arkansas with associated school. Comparable scale of company plus training academy, full-length classical productions, and pre-professional dancer development.

Others

• Regional Dance America: National association of which CIDE is an Honor Company member since 2006. Peer as the network of regional dance companies sharing evaluation, festivals, and choreography resources; comparable members include many of CIDE's actual peers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-indiana-dance-ensemble-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CENTRAL INDIANA DANCE ENSEMBLE