Santa Clara

Santa Clara Dance Studio Gutted by Fire Carries On Show

Fairy tales often have a bittersweet ending. It's that way with real life stories as well.

On Saturday, June 18th, Roundhill Studios staged its annual ballet performances of 'The Maiden's Visit' at Santa Clara High School auditorium.

The matinee performance drew an enthusiastic audience who showed appreciation for a fairy tale ballet that almost never made it the stage.

As NBC Bay Area reported, Roundhill Studios was one of about a dozen businesses damaged or destroyed by a fire that ripped through the shopping center in the early morning hours of May 25th.

Roundhill studio had seemingly avoided major damage but further inspections revealed the studio was unusable.

The fire occurred as Roundhill was preparing to stage its popular annual production which was celebrating its 30th year. The production garnered a reputation for its its elaborate sets, costumes and dances.

NBC Bay Area profiled the determination of the studio owner and choreographer Donna Krasowki Maruoka to go on with the show.

Roundhill Studios was able to stage its elaborate rehearsals with the help of numerous other dance troupes and local companies.

"The South Bay arts community is a tight knit group" said a grateful Maruoka. "We couldn't have done it without the help of local dance studios and generous companies."

The production generated enthusiastic applause and also tears of relief, but Maruoka acknowledges the success doesn't alleviate an uncertain future.

The dance company is searching for new facilities which is hard to do in Silicon Valley.

A 'Rebuild Roundhill Studios' campaign is underway with an account set up on GoFundMe. So far, it's raised more than $12,000. 

But for now, Maruoka and her troupe are enjoying the success of its production, with another performance on Saturday. 

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