Naperville's Élan Dance Company to hold auditions

Just as young children often discover the joy of dance at their first ballet class at the Naperville Park District, growing dancers also have an opportunity to pursue their dreams by joining the pre-professional performing ensemble Élan Dance Company.

Students between the ages of 9 and 21 interested in joining Élan Dance Company for the 2017-18 season are invited to audition Tuesday, May 23, for placement in one of three groups within the company.

Auditions will take place in Room 123 at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. Specific audition times are set for each age group:

• Junior Company for ages 9 to 12 from 5 to 6 p.m.

• Apprentice Company for ages 12 to 15 from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.

• Senior Company for ages 14 to 21 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Audition packets with detailed instructions and information are available online at napervilleparks.org/dance and may be requested from Artistic Director Kristy Meza at kmeza@napervilleparks.org.

Élan Dance Company presented its 2017 Showcase May 6 at Pfeiffer Hall, a show that included solos by three graduating seniors and a program of original choreography performed by the dancers to highlight their skill, confidence and artistic expression.

The dance company will finish the 2017 season by performing at the annual Naperville Park District Dance Academy Recital at noon and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St.

Summer performances include shows at 6:30 p.m. before the Millennium Carillon Summer Recital Series concerts on Tuesdays, July 18 and Aug. 15, and a performance at a Chicago Bandits game on Sunday, July 22.