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Larkin bringing 'Joshua's Dragon' book on autism to life

Larkin High School's annual “Bring a Book to Life” program faces an exciting challenge this year.

For 16 years, the school's Visual and Performing Arts Academy has taken children's classics like “Peter Pan” or “Mary Poppins” and brought them to the stage with a dance adaptation.

But this week, the VPAA dancers will perform a new book that is unfamiliar to audiences — and that tackles an important issue.

“Joshua's Dragon” is a picture book written by local pediatric occupational therapist and author Stacey Glorioso, and the tale follows a boy who works to slay his metaphorical dragon: autism.

Because the book is new to both the audience and the dancers, VPAA Co-directors Kelly Hill, Margaret Palmer and their students, have been able to use extra creativity in bringing “Joshua's Dragon” to the stage.

“We were really able to use our own imaginations,” Hill said. “We were able to create dances around scenes depicted in the book that are part of Joshua's imagination.

“With more well-known stories, we typically have to present something more like a musical: you must stick to the story and music everyone knows,” she adds. “With this, we got to find our own music that was the right to fit the mood, since so much of the story is really Joshua's feelings. Everything had to really hit home in our hearts.”

Larkin's VPAA students have been practicing all year for this performance, which is a critical part of their grade. They will perform shows for the public at 7 p.m. Friday and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26-27, at the school.

Dancers will also perform private matinees for 1,400 elementary and middle school students from Elgin Area School District U-46 on Wednesday and Thursday.

For the student matinees, author Glorioso will attend and present a condensed version of her motivational pep rally, “Everyone Has a Dragon.”

This rally aims to close the gap between children with disabilities and their typically developing peers. Glorioso and her “Dragon Crew” have been traveling throughout Illinois using multimedia to educate elementary students about autism and other disabilities — and encouraging them to come up with a plan of attack against their own personal dragons.

“Her whole family has been involved in the creation of the book and it's so impressive,” Palmer said. “Her young son did some voice overs for the pep rally, others contributed vocals to the songs, composed music or created artwork. Stacey has created something special and it's a great example of what you can accomplish when you are passionate about a cause.”

Both Palmer and Hill say “Joshua's Dragon” will resonate with everyone, whether they are directly affected by autism or not. The book, they say, works around the concept that everyone has a dragon they must conquer in order live a full life.

“We were very touched by the story,” Hill said. “We all have a challenge we must overcome. For Joshua, it's loud sounds. For others, it may be being shy or clumsy. But we can all conquer it if we believe in ourselves.”

  Senior Amanda Crittenden, left, portrays Joshua as she chases the dragon played by junior Michael McKee during Monday night rehearsal for the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts Dance Academy production of "Joshua's Dragon." Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Senior student Amanda Crittenden, right, portrays Joshua as she shoves the dragon played by junior student Michael McKee during rehearsal for the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts Dance Academy production of "Joshua's Dragon," a story about a boy with autism. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Dancers go into motion during a scene where Joshua is fearful of the thunder of the lion's roar during rehearsal for the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts Dance Academy production of "Joshua's Dragon," which will take place this weekend. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Cast members soar during the finale scene of "Joshua's Dragon." Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Senior student Amanda Crittenden portrays Joshua during Monday night rehearsal for "Joshua's Dragon." Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Senior students Reece Sweeney, left, portrays the wind and Autumn Dobbeck portrays the lion during rehearsal for the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts Dance Academy production of "Joshua's Dragon." Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Senior student Amanda Crittenden, right, portrays Joshua as she is kicked by the dragon played by junior student Michael McKee during rehearsal for the Larkin Visual and Performing Arts Dance Academy production of "Joshua's Dragon." Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com

If you go

What: “Joshua's Dragon”

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27

Where: Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave., Elgin

Cost: $8 for adults; $5 for students and seniors (tickets at the door only)

Info: joshuasdragon.com

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