Grayslake dancer part of 'Chuggington' cast at Rosemont Theatre
Grayslake native Caitlin Sheppard is dancing, singing and acting onstage with some really big stars - train locomotives, to be exact.
Sheppard, 23, is one of nine human cast members starring in "Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure," a musical based upon the popular animated children's series that airs on television's Disney Junior.
The show chugs into the Rosemont Theatre for two performances on Saturday.
"It was challenging at first," Sheppard said of adjusting to her colorful "living" train co-stars Koko, Wilson and Brewster. "We (cast members) have to treat the trains like they are real. And we've all gotten very used to them," Sheppard said in a telephone interview.
The story focuses on Wilson (the red train), and his quest to be chief of Chug Control. Along the way, Wilson, Koko and Brewster learn important life lessons, Sheppard said.
"They learn things like how to stop and think and how to dream big," she said.
Sheppard said the response to the show from youngsters in the audience has been heartwarming.
"It's a lot of fun to see the enthusiasm from the kids. They are just so excited to see those trains in real life," she said.
Sheppard, who graduated from Grayslake Central High School in 2010 and went on to study dance and management at Hofstra University, has been touring the country since January with "Chuggington Live!"
Being on stage is nothing new to the trained dancer and choreographer, who said she was dancing around her family's home as a toddler.
"I've been a dancer my whole life," she said.
Sheppard honed her craft at the Talent Forum dance studio in Libertyville and began her career in choreography as a member of the Orchesis dance club at Grayslake Central. In college, several of Sheppard's choreographed works were selected for performance at the Florence Dance Festival and the American College Dance Festival.
Now living in Manhattan, Sheppard said she is looking forward to seeing family and friends from Grayslake who will be in the audience for "Chuggington Live!" in Rosemont.
With a few days off while in Chicago, Sheppard said she hopes some of her castmates and crew members can visit her family's Grayslake home.
"Hopefully my mom can cook something for all of us," she said with a chuckle.
Alas, her three train co-stars won't be able to take part in that homemade meal.
And if any youngsters inquire about the trains' whereabouts?
"We always just tell everyone that the trains are taking a nap." Sheppard said.
Sheppard heads back to New York at the end of June, where she will continue to choreograph and audition for work with more dance companies. She hopes to tour in a large dance company or perhaps own her own dance company someday.
"I'll never stop dancing," she said.
“Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure”
When: 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9
Where: Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont
Tickets: $18-$45. (800) 745-3000 or