The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre Introduce
In the heart of Putnam, Connecticut, The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and community spirit. This women-owned business is more than just a dance studio or a theater; it’s an all-encompassing hub where individuals of all ages can explore their creative potential. For local families in northeastern Connecticut, finding a place that offers a diverse range of artistic disciplines in a single, supportive location is a true blessing. The Complex has established itself as that very place, celebrated for its unique blend of professional training, nurturing guidance, and a non-competitive philosophy that focuses on personal growth.
The unique and welcoming environment of The Complex is best described by a long-time customer in a detailed and heartfelt review. The reviewer, a parent of two children who have been attending for over a year and a half, stumbled upon the studio by chance and was captivated by its unique charm. They noted, "Every time I'm in there you can just see what a great place it is, what great vibes, such a community of performance artists working together, supporting each other, encouraging each other, and challenging each other to be the best they can be." This powerful statement highlights the very core of The Complex's identity—a collaborative and supportive community where students feel empowered to grow.
The review further emphasizes the studio's ability to cater to a wide range of interests, from casual, recreational classes to intensive training for highly passionate students. The parent was particularly amazed by the quality of the performances, sharing that the shows have been "just tremendous" and "absolutely blown away" by what the children achieve. This is a significant point, as the reviewer notes the professional quality of the productions, stating that one does not "expect to have your life changed by the performance or anything" at community theater. The fact that The Complex defies this expectation is a testament to the high standards and dedicated staff. Another customer review echoes this sentiment, calling The Complex their "home away from home" for nearly 11 years and praising the "superior education" and "friendly atmosphere at a non-competition studio."
Located at 135 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260, The Complex is a central and easily accessible resource for communities throughout northeastern Connecticut. Its prime location in downtown Putnam makes it a convenient destination for families from nearby towns such as Woodstock, Danielson, and Thompson. The center is also committed to making its facilities accessible to all, featuring a wheelchair-accessible car park and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. This thoughtful approach ensures that every member of the community, regardless of their mobility, can comfortably and safely enjoy the studio’s offerings.
In addition to its physical accessibility, The Complex offers a variety of service options to meet different needs. They provide both on-site services for in-person classes and online classes for those who prefer to learn from home, a modern and flexible approach to arts education. The studio also accepts credit cards, providing a convenient and modern payment option for busy families. This combination of a central location, easy accessibility, and flexible service options makes The Complex a highly practical and appealing choice for families across the region.
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre offers an impressive and diverse list of services that goes well beyond a typical single-discipline studio.
Dance School: A wide range of dance classes are offered, from Beginner's classes to Advanced classes and private lessons. The curriculum includes Ballet Class, Jazz, and an Adaptive Dance program. They also provide classes for all age groups, including Elementary Dance Classes, Kindergarten Dance Classes, and Adult classes.
Theater Arts: Students can engage in Theatre Art and Theatre Classes, including a Tween / Teen Acting and Music Classes for ages 12 to 19. These programs include Dance Theatre and opportunities for live performances.
Music and Visual Arts: The center provides Music Classes, Music Lessons, and individual instruction in instruments like Guitar and Bass Lessons and Ukulele Lessons, as well as Voice Lessons. The Visual Arts department offers Art Classes, Painting, and Early Childhood / Elementary Art Classes.
Specialized Programs: For dedicated students, The Complex has Company Dance and opportunities for Choreography classes. They also offer a variety of fun and engaging activities, such as Birthday Parties, Fun Class, and Group Sessions.
Community and Performance: The center provides a full season of student and community performances, including musicals, dance shows, and art exhibitions, giving students numerous opportunities to showcase their work on local stages like The Bradley Playhouse and other venues.
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre is distinguished by several key features and highlights that make it a standout choice for the community.
Women-Owned Business: This designation highlights the dedication to leadership and artistic vision provided by its female founders and directors.
Non-Competition Studio: As highlighted in a customer review, The Complex is a non-competition studio. This philosophy fosters an environment focused on personal growth, collaboration, and the love of art itself, rather than external validation.
Multifaceted Arts Education: The center is a true "complex," offering dance, music, theater, and visual arts under one roof. This allows students to explore multiple disciplines and become well-rounded artists.
Inclusive and Supportive Environment: Reviews consistently praise the studio for its "great vibes" and the sense of community. The staff is dedicated to supporting and challenging students to be their best.
Professional and High-Quality Performances: The reviews for the shows are consistently positive, with customers being "blown away" by the quality of the productions and the professional demeanor of the young performers.
Accessibility: The wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance, along with online class options, ensure that the arts are accessible to a wider audience.
For more information or to inquire about class schedules and registration, you can contact The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre using the following details:
Address: 135 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260, USA
Phone: (860) 963-7170
For families in Connecticut, choosing a performing and creative arts center is about finding a place where a child's passion can truly take flight. What is most worth choosing about The Complex is its unique combination of professional excellence and heartfelt community building. The detailed customer reviews make it clear that this is a business that fills a critical need, providing high-quality arts education that is both rigorous and genuinely fun. The parent's observation that the shows are "tremendous" and that the staff somehow gets kids to execute "challenging work so perfectly" speaks directly to the quality of instruction and the dedication of the teaching artists.
The non-competition philosophy is a powerful differentiator, creating an environment where every student, regardless of skill level, feels valued. This focus on personal growth over trophies is a key reason why students feel so at home and thrive. Furthermore, the sheer breadth of offerings—from dance and music to visual arts—makes it a one-stop-shop for a comprehensive arts education. The Complex is a true gem in the Putnam community, providing a nurturing and enriching experience that gives children a sense of purpose and belonging. It is a place that not only teaches art but also shapes character, making it an excellent and worthwhile choice for any family.
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre Services
Dance School
- Adult lessons
Get your CREATIVE on!! In these classes students are introduced to various mediums, techniques, and styles of the creative/visual arts. Students will explore and get creative with paint, drawing, sculpture, writing, 3-Dimensional art, collaborative projects, and more! Such a fun class where young artists are encouraged to be the artist that is flourishing inside them! Individual creative voices are honored and nourished.
- Advanced classes
- Beginner's classes
Sing, Dance, Act, SHINE! Learn all about the stage in this program for our littlest performers! The elementary program exposes students to many aspects of the theatrical performing arts and is a wonderful experience and outlet for all children. Self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, and creativity are all developed as students explore the wonders of the STAGE!! Students will perform with their class and also have the opportunity to audition for age-appropriate musicals.
- Choreography classes
- Intermediate classes
- Jazz
- Private lessons
Ages 7 to Adult. Our professional faculty of music educators will ensure proper technical training and creative development for the highest level of success and personal achievement. Students meet individually with their instructor during their reserved, weekly time slot. Students have the opportunity to work in an inspiring community of artists and students, allowing them to flourish as creative individuals and musicians.
- Youth classes
Get your CREATIVE on!! In these classes students are introduced to various mediums, techniques, and styles of the creative/visual arts. Students will explore and get creative with paint, drawing, sculpture, writing, 3-Dimensional art, collaborative projects, and more! Such a fun class where young artists are encouraged to be the artist that is flourishing inside them! Individual creative voices are honored and nourished.
- 1 Hour Class
- 45 Minute Class
- Adaptive Dance
- Adult Classes
- Art Classes
- Arts Classes
- Arts Education
- Ballet Class
- Birthday Parties
- Company Dance
- Dance Classes
- Dance Dance Classes
- Dance Theatre
- Early Childhood / Elementary Art Classes
Get your CREATIVE on!! In these classes students are introduced to various mediums, techniques, and styles of the creative/visual arts. Students will explore and get creative with paint, drawing, sculpture, writing, 3-Dimensional art, collaborative projects, and more! Such a fun class where young artists are encouraged to be the artist that is flourishing inside them! Individual creative voices are honored and nourished.
- Education The
- Elementary Dance Classes
Comprehensive curriculum designed to ensure the proper development of young bodies. Under our professional faculty, students will enhance coordination, creativity, teamwork, task-Mastering, confidence, and learning Skills. Explore Rhythms, Movement Concepts and Elementary Classical Ballet Concepts. Available Dance Classes -- Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop
- Fun Class
- Group Class
- Group Sessions
- Guitar and Bass Lessons
Ages 7 to Adult. Our professional faculty of music educators will ensure proper technical training and creative development for the highest level of success and personal achievement. Students meet individually with their instructor during their reserved, weekly time slot. Students have the opportunity to work in an inspiring community of artists and students, allowing them to flourish as creative individuals and musicians.
- Kindergarten Dance Classes
Dance Classes for children age 4 to 6 aid in the development of gross motor skills, movement creativity, fitness, and body awareness. Our Intro to Dance and Pre-Ballet Classes blend educational concepts in a developmentally designed curriculum that places special emphasis on building self-confidence and self-esteem. Dance programs at The Complex serve as a catalyst to enhance the creative side of the young mind & body
- Music Classes
- Music Lessons
- Studio Dance
- Theatre Art
- Theatre Classes
- Tween / Teen Acting and Music Classes ages 12 to 19
Students explore and discover acting methods/theories, music theory, ensemble singing, character development, stage direction, theatre history, scene study, improvisation, public speaking, monologue study, character analysis, playwriting, set design, prop building, and stage theories in a highly progressive, supportive, and creative learning environment. This program also offers students many different type of performances per year, giving them a wide array of stage time and understanding of many styles and ways of performance….a wonderful class for the budding and passionate actor to enhance and refine their inner creative self, acting techniques, and readiness for college/professional work. A great experience that will benefit many aspects of youth and adolescent development. Students may also audition for our two large musicals per year
- Ukulele Lessons
Age 5 to Adult. Our professional faculty of music educators will ensure proper technical training and creative development for the highest level of success and personal achievement. Students meet individually with their instructor during their reserved, weekly time slot. Students have the opportunity to work in an inspiring community of artists and students, allowing them to flourish as creative individuals and musicians.
- Visual Arts
- Voice Lessons
Ages 10 to Adult. Our professional faculty of music educators will ensure proper technical training and creative development for the highest level of success and personal achievement. Students meet individually with their instructor during their reserved, weekly time slot. Students have the opportunity to work in an inspiring community of artists and students, allowing them to flourish as creative individuals and musicians.
Art School
- Painting
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Online classes
- On-site services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre Photos
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre Location
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre
135 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260, USA
The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre Reviews
communityperformance
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Wait have I really not reviewed the complex yet? That's insane.Listen, I think we found this place by accident. Walking down the street one day a year and a half ago we saw their chalkboard advertising some cool 3-day summer classes. My 5- & 7-year-old kids got interested. We figured what the heck and signed them up.Now it's a year and a half later and my son went there for a full year for musical theater class, and my daughter is signed up for tap dancing this upcoming year. Every time I'm in there you can just see what a great place it is, what great vibes, such a community of performance artists working together, supporting each other, encouraging each other, and challenging each other to be the best they can be.Such a great activity for our kids, and such a great resource for so many children in our community who are looking to get into this stuff. Opportunities for kids who want to do this casually, yes. But also they have opportunities for kids who want to do this big time - they have programs for kids who are so passionate about the arts that they basically get off the bus after school and spend all day training in myriad different performance arts. How incredible that something like this exists for these kids, right here in Putnam. If The Complex wasn't here, what would these kids do? Where would they go? This place fills a need that gives such an important thing to so many kids lives.Now don't get me started on the performances...my wife and I have been to many Complex performances now, and every single time we are absolutely blown away by what a great job they do. They somehow have this group of kids who are ages that you would think would be so difficult to work with, somehow have them putting on these tremendous performances and totally having their stuff together. We've never seen a bad show. Sometimes with community theater you're there to be supportive, to encourage the kids, but you're not expecting to have your life changed by the performance or anything. You know how kids are. But seriously, the shows have been just tremendous. Suessical the Musical was a complete grand slam - such an amazing performance. Anytime there's a chance to catch a show by The Complex - whether you have kids in the show or not - it will be worth getting a ticket. You're going to enjoy it, and be amazed at how great these kids are at what they do, and be astounded trying to figure out how the staff got so many kids to execute such challenging work so perfectly.So yes, if you can't already tell, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out The Complex. A gem in our community, a great resource and experience for our kids, and just a fun place to be a part of.
July 27 · Mark LaMountainMy home away from home for nearly 11 years. I love the superior education our faculty brings to my children and all their students. Friendly atmosphere at a non-competition studio for performance arts, visual arts, and music. Reasonable rates for classes without hidden fees. Dance show productions are truly unique and never have a recital style. Please do yourself or your loved ones a favor by joining The Complex Family.
September 14 · Amy NunesI couldn't love The Complex more. Excellent programs for all ages. They have dedicated and talented staff who truly care about their students. I can't imagine not being involved with The Complex!
March 06 · Meghan RumseySuch a special place with amazing energy my daughter loves going here! And the staff are wonderful!
February 19 · Emily BlivenThe owners and teaching staff are fantastic. All 3 of my kids are involved in their programs and we couldn't be happier.
January 18 · Judson Cross
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