Larkin High dance academy to spread autism awareness Feb. 24-25
The VPAA Dance Academy at Larkin High School in Elgin is proud to spread autism awareness in a way never been done before.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 25, Elgin Area School District U-46 will bus in 1,400 elementary and middle school students to Larkin High School for a "Bring a Book to Life" production, a dance adaptation of "Joshua's Dragon."
"This year's performance is different because the main character in our production has autism," reports Margaret Palmer, one of two directors of the VPAA. "We sold out of our matinee shows in under 2 hours. This has never been done before."
Local pediatric occupational therapist and author Stacey Glorioso will make a special appearance to educate the children about autism in a condensed version of her popular pep rally series.
"Joshua's Dragon," a picture book about a boy and his dragon (autism), has been making its way through Illinois as part of a motivational pep rally tour, "Everyone Has a Dragon."
Inspiring over 10,000 children in their first month, local pediatric occupational therapist and author Stacey Glorioso and her Dragon Crew are closing the gap between children with disabilities and their typically developing peers.
Using multimedia to educate elementary students about autism and other disabilities, Glorioso is encouraging children to come up with a plan of attack against their own personal dragons.
"Using sound effects and music from our assembly, the VPAA Dance Academy's production of 'Joshua's Dragon' will allow children to put themselves in Joshua's shoes, seeing life through the eyes of a child who has autism," Glorioso stated.
Margaret Palmer explains, "We are honored to use the art of dance to visually demonstrate to children what Joshua experiences."
"The story touches our hearts and we hope to bring a lively, entertaining, and visceral experience to our audience while exposing them to seeming fragility yet in reality great strength children like Joshua poses."
Visit www.joshuasdragon.com to learn more about the performance and upcoming events.
The production for U-46 elementary/middle school students will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, and 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 (sold out). Public performances will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27.
Tickets will become available the day of the show. Cost is $8 or $5 for students/seniors.
For information about the performance, contact Kelly Hill or Margaret Palmer, directors of the VPAA, at KellyHill@u-46.org or MargaretPalmer@u-46.org.