By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Students at Lind-Elle School of Dance are jumping for joy ahead of their first performance in the soon-to-open Bunjil Place.
Principal Belinda Hartney said the long-awaited $125 million state-of-the-art facility would be a boon for Casey’s massive arts community.
Students at her Narre Warren South school would no longer have to commute as far as Warragul to rehearse in a theatre, Ms Hartney said.
“People (in the arts) were just having to travel everywhere, which is crazy given Casey is one of the biggest growth-corridors.
“To be able to share this space with professionals will be an amazing experience for our dancers.”
Bunjil Place looks over the Scout hall on Magid Drive where the dance school first operated 20 years ago.
“By returning to the area on our 20th anniversary, it feels like we’ve come full circle.”
Her students are mentioning a “sense of ownership” of Bunjil Place, which opens with a festival on 28-29 October.
“As they’ve driven past it, they’ve watched it build and grow. There’s a feeling that it’s their concert place.”
Lind-Elle School of Dance’s recreational and elite performance dancers start rehearsals at Bunjil Place the week after it opens.
They perform three shows of jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop and other dance styles at the venue on 19 November.
Bookings: www.bunjilplace.com.au/lind-elle-school-of-dance
