Aspire BusinessGuide 2023 Digital - Flipbook - Page 10
ASPIRE BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
KATIE
STAHLHUT
CEO, STAGE I DANCE
ACADEMY
Empowering generations of
dancers through entrepreneurship
Stage I Dance Academy in Greenwood has been delighting
audiences and molding young dancers for over six decades.
Founded in 1962 by Beverly Smithey, the academy has grown
from a small basement studio to a thriving dance community
that continues to inspire generations of dancers today.
“She (Smithey) started the studio in her parents’ basement
at the age of 15,” said Katie Stahlhut, CEO at Stage I Dance
Academy. “It then moved to her and her husband’s basement
until they relocated to 135. For over 35 years, we called that
space our home until we settled on Fry Rd. in 2013.”
Stahlhut herself joined Stage I in fourth grade and has
remained devoted to the academy ever since.
“I’m humbled and honored that Ms. Beverly passed the torch
of ownership to my husband and me in 2016,” she said.
Stahlhut’s personal journey has played a vital role in her
current leadership position. From an early age, she imbibed a
strong work ethic while working at her father’s grocery store,
having to stand on a milk crate to reach the cash register.
After graduating from Center Grove High School, Stahlhut
pursued Business Management studies at the Kelley
School of Business at IUPUI. While at Kelley, she taught and
managed the studio at Stage I, gradually preparing for her
role as Executive Director and CEO.
Stahlhut also credits her participation in Leadership Johnson
County’s class of 2018 and her attendance at various
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ASPIRE JOHNSON COUNTY, IN | 2023-24 BUSINESS GUIDE
business conferences for enhancing her leadership skills and
expanding her network.
Under Stahlhut’s direction, Stage I has committed to
giving back to the local community. She highlighted their
performances for local assisted living facilities, and an
annual Studio Day of Giving each November, where dancers
and their families participate in various community service
projects.
Stahlhut’s passion for sharing the transformative power of
dance led her to establish a nonpro昀椀t organization called
Dance Every Journey. Serving adults who might not have
access to dance otherwise, the organization currently
provides dance programming for assisted living facilities
and veterans. Stahlhut expressed her excitement about
expanding their reach in the coming months to serve more
assisted living facilities and seniors in Johnson County.
Building strong relationships with customers and fostering
a dedicated following has been a priority for Stage I Dance
Academy.
“Anyone that joins classes at Stage I becomes
a part of our Stage I family,” she said. “I’m so
grateful for all the amazing relationships I’ve
built through Stage I over the years. My dearest
friends are gals I grew up dancing with.”