By Brian Milton, Executive Director
In the spring of 1992, I rented a small space next to Debbie Boyle’s fledgling dance studio, Ballet Arts Centre, to open a new children’s theater company called Kidstock! What began as a serendipitous adjacency grew into a powerful partnership (and life long friendship), sparking over 30 years of shared purpose, inspiration, and joyful noise under the same roof.
Though Kidstock! and BAC always operated as separate businesses, their side-by-side existence—first at 750 Main Street as ARTSPACE, then at 50 Cross Street as ARTSPACE AT THE MILL—created something much bigger than either had imagined: a community-centered arts campus where generations of students grew up discovering their voices, exploring self-expression, and forming lifelong memories through dance, theater, and the magic of performance.
In 2025, with Debbie’s well-earned retirement and the closing of Ballet Arts Centre after 35 years, I saw an opportunity to honor the legacy we built together—not by ending it, but by transforming it!
And so, with both nostalgia and excitement, I proudly introduce:
The new home for Ensemble Dance Collective and Kidstock! Creative Theater
Why “Wonderland”?
Because this center is designed to be a place of wonder—where artists of all ages can ask, “What if?” and discover the many answers waiting in the arts.
It is also a heartfelt tribute to Alice in Wonderland, the story that inspired my first role onstage (as the 2 of Clubs!) and served as the subject of Kidstock!’s very first production in 1992, April & Alex at the Wonderland Circus. Like Alice’s journey, this new chapter is about curiosity, courage, creativity—and imagining a world beyond the expected.
Why an arts center? Why now?
Because the time has come to bring everything under one imaginative umbrella: a single, unified home for diverse programs that invite participation, ignite passion, and build community. Wonderland Arts Center will house not only Kidstock! Creative Theater, but also Ensemble Dance Collective—our new school of movement and choreography—and future ventures in music, visual arts, and creative collaboration.
Whether you’re five or fifty-five, a dancer or designer, a curious beginner or seasoned performer, Wonderland is here for you.
What does this mean for our students and families?
The spirit and quality you’ve come to expect from Kidstock! and BAC are not only continuing—they’re expanding. All classes, camps, performances, and events—whether in theater, dance, or other art forms—will now be registered through one centralized system. One portal. One registration fee. One inclusive home for your creative journey. Our goal is to personalize your experience while elevating your engagement—making it easier to explore multiple disciplines, stay connected, and grow through the arts in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Why it matters:
The arts don’t just build skills—they build community. Through the shared experience of rehearsal and performance, of being in the audience or onstage, we learn empathy, teamwork, confidence, and expression. Wonderland Arts Center is a place where creativity is cultivated, where friendships are formed, and where each person’s unique voice has a place to be heard, seen, and celebrated.
This is a moment of transformation—an exciting blend of all that’s familiar with all that’s possible. A lot is changing, yes. But every change is rooted in the values that Debbie and I have always championed: quality, creativity, connection, and care.
So whether you’ve danced across our floors, taken your first bow on our stage, or are just now joining our community—I invite you to take the next step with us.
