Professional Dance Company Moves To Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A professional dance company celebrated its grand opening in Middletown this week. After 15 years in Killingworth, Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet has relocated to Middletown with newly renovated studios in The Church of The Holy Trinity.

The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and city officials celebrated an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Church of The Holy Trinity, 381 Main St., on Tuesday.

Ekklesia is known in the Shoreline area for its annual Christmas production, “Ahavah, A Christmas Story” which attracts thousands of viewers annually and has raised more than $30,000 in the past six years for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries. The dance company also has a pre-professional dance training academy that offers classes for ages 3 to adult in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz and more.

Registration is now open for the fall semester with safety and health protocols in place recommended by the CDC. The Church of The Holy Trinity shares a common vision with Ekklesia of welcoming all people and providing a safe place where art and faith can flourish, according to a news release.

“I am beyond blessed to have found The Church of The Holy Trinity community,” Founder and Artistic Director Elisa Schroth said. “The Reverend Mary and I share a passion for dance and ministry and creating welcoming spaces where everyone can find a sense of belonging.”

Reverend Mary Barnett is the new priest in charge at the Church of The Holy Trinity. She ran her own dance company called, “In Good Company,” before becoming a published author and attending Yale Divinity School.

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet to Middletown,” Barnett said. “Ekklesia is a remarkable resource for our community. They bring energy and excellence in teaching, performance and artistry at the highest level. And they are going places on a national level. Plus, they are fabulous people. This is the beginning of a remarkable friendship.”

For more information, visit the Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet website here.