The kids are excited that “the show will go on” despite the Brookfield dance studio closing

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — The sudden closing of a Brookfield dance studio left parents and employees out thousands of dollars. It also put a major achievement in jeopardy. But a group of parents decided the show must go on and are helping make The Nutcracker happen for their kids.

Winter Arata, 4, practices for her part in The Nutcracker.

Winter Arata, only four years old, is hard at work practicing her part for the upcoming Nutcracker performance.

“Then we spin,” said Winter, showing us his part.

The show was supposed to be next weekend. But when Brio Studios suddenly closed, parents thought the show wouldn’t happen. But a family who wishes to remain anonymous paid for and insured the venue. And other families offered costumes and props.

Brittany Arata and her daughter Winter are so excited to see The Nutcracker continue.

“A group of incredible moms have come together,” said Brittany Arata, Winter’s mother.

Brittany says she couldn’t be more thankful to see her dance community together for the kids. Parents say they are out thousands of dollars on prepaid dance classes. Meanwhile, employees, who did not want to go on camera, said they have repeatedly experienced problems with bounced paychecks.

“The last paycheck I received as approved was September,” said Jade Mattner, program manager at Brio Studio.

We spoke to the owners on the phone yesterday. Jesse Winiecki says he has stage 4 cancer and was diagnosed last week. When I asked him about the missing paychecks and prepaid dance lessons he said he would get back to me but I have not heard from him again.

I also found several lawsuits against him and the studio. Last month, a judge ordered him to pay more than $100,000. But parents say they try not to focus on it anymore. They want to focus on the positive.

Screenshot 2024-11-14 at 15.14.21 PM.png — Brio Studios in Brookfield

“It’s so amazing that so many people are stepping up,” Brittany said.

We contacted the Department of Workforce Development regarding employees missing paychecks. They said there is an open investigation into it.

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