Quietly hidden away along Carmel’s Gradle Drive sits Ideal Talent Inc. This small, local business focuses on providing talent for events, meetings and shows as well as offering rehearsal space and networking for local musicians. Despite its office’s placid exterior, Ideal Talent’s work is seen and heard by thousands across the country.
Owners Rick and Ellen Kingston both have strong ties to their community and their industry. Rick graduated from Carmel High School in 1971 and his band, The Fynal Episode, has played for several class reunions over the years.
“Since I started The Fynal Episode way back when I was going to Carmel Junior High, they love seeing us up onstage at the reunions,” Rick said.
Ellen was raised on Indianapolis’ northside and attended North Central High School. In the years since, she has pursued a lengthy career in the talent industry, including three decades as a voiceover artist.
“She’s been known as ‘The Voice of Indianapolis’ for years. You hear her on the phone during hold programs all the time,” said Rick.
A veteran of the talent industry, Ellen jumped at the opportunity to work for the Center for the Performing Arts. Her daughter, Lisa, is employed there as well.
“I take care of all the arrangements for the visiting artists – all the hotels and cars and dressing room needs,” Ellen said. “There’s a lot of planning that goes into each artist’s visit, but I must love it because most of my work involves planning!”
Like many area businesses, Ideal Talent has seen a number of opportunities arise from the Super Bowl’s imminent arrival to Indianapolis.
“There’s a media reception at the Speedway, for which Ellen came up with the idea to have models in headpieces representing Indianapolis circulating through the crowd,” said Rick.
Ellen also designed seven separate costumes for the event, to be attended by nearly 3,000 journalists from around the world. Each costume features a signature headpiece, among them a replica of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a tiger from the Indianapolis Zoo and a Super Bowl XLVI logo.
For guests arriving at and departing from the city, Ideal Talent has booked three days of entertainment at the Indianapolis International Airport.
“The Super Bowl Host Committee really wanted to create a fun, party atmosphere for guests as soon as they arrive in the city,” said Rick.
“We have a lot of variety in the mix, from jazz to R&B,to cabaret and even bluegrass … oh, and a couple of great show choirs, too,” said Ellen. “We’re going to be keeping the acts running and the music flowing!”
For more information about Ideal Talent, please visit www.idealtalentinc.com.
By Christian Sorrell
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