no.... just my kids are there practically every spare minute we get. (we don't actually live there, excuse the exaggeration) the only day we are NOT at the studio is Tuesdays. even before school a couple days a week too.
I help out with the fundraising committee and and general studio costume stuff. We do a LOT of rotating of costumes at the studio to try and keep costs down (which are huge anyway). so everyone doesn't need to buy new costumes for everything every season. For perspective, My kids have a 52 costume wardrobe this season... Not including the Christmas concert costumes that will come in November. 52 costumes is not something you can buy new every single year!!! So we rent loan rotate and generally try to keep the costs down.

Yes the ballroom dresses are crazy expensive. i bet your wife felt like a princess wearing them. Its the HAIR that gets me. Did she need to do that CRAZY hair that looks like wet marble? all perfect with lacquer? THAT is crazy.

Nice about the sewing, It IS a good skill to have. my husband wanted to learn so he could do some costuming as well for his medieval pursuits, however it defeated him in a spectacular fashion so he stopped.

Regarding the costume im currently making, i was quoted about $700 Australian to have it made. second hand if you are lucky you could get one for $200 - $300. Occasionally something cheaper but often not as good. So i decided to make it and at least it would fit. You are correct, you can easily spend thousands on ballroom dresses.