Larkin seniors impetus for bringing 'Hansel and Gretel' to stage

At Larkin High School, students in the Dance Focus program don't just dance. They help choose the show.

This year the program, which is made up of auditioned dancers from throughout the U-46 district, will perform "Hansel and Gretel," featuring two departing seniors: Jessica Behning, 17 and Veronica Woodruff, 18, both of Elgin.

The idea for the fable as a subject for the dance came from the two leads, according to Kelly Hill, director of Larkin's Visual and Performing Arts Dance Focus.

"Last year they mentioned, 'Why don't we do "Hansel and Gretel"? It would be perfect.' In all honesty, it was their idea," Hill said.

From that point, which took place when the girls were juniors, the wheels began turning on the project.

"We make it our own," said Hill. "We bring to life the story. It's our adaptation."

Margaret Palmer, who teaches at the Academy, began brainstorming with Hill. The music was chosen and the teachers began to choreograph the program, deciding which numbers each student will do. Outside choreographers were brought in.

"We like to expose are kids to other things and new professionals," said Hill.

This year's guest choreographers are Jeremy Plummer, a professional dancer in Chicago with his own dance company called C5 and Debra Nanni, a freelance choreographer who formerly owned a studio in Rockford who is participating with the production for the first time.

The third choreographer is very familiar with the Larkin Dance Academy. Hanna Brictson is a 2004 graduate of Larkin High School and currently is a member of the River North Chicago Dance Company. She has participated in five "Bring a Book to Life" productions since she graduated.

Brictson enjoys her return visits to her alma mater.

"I definitely have a connection with the school and the program and I love choreographing. Just being in the school and feeling like I'm putting forth something to the Dance Academy makes me feel really good. I look forward to it every year," she said.

This year Brictson choreographed a number based on the birds who ate bread crumbs which Hansel and Gretel left behind to find their way home again.

The collaboration begins with Hill giving some direction to the choreographers, according to Brictson, just to set the mood.

"She (Hill) said, I want things a little bit darker, not like happy birds, a little more aggressive and I just take off on that," said Brictson.

"It's a little bit creepy," she added. "It's a little bit quirky."

The dancers' different levels of expertise don't hamper Brictson when she is creating.

"I'm more concerned with style and artistry, so I give them a more stylistic approach which can sometimes be harder," she said. " It gives me more that I want instead of trying to get them to capture multiple pirouettes."

Working with Woodruff and Behning has been a pleasure for Brictson a number of levels.

"I see them every year, growing up in the Academy, as freshmen and juniors and finally seniors and they get their starring roles," said Brictson. "You can definitely see a difference in their presence and confidence."

Behning, who portrays Gretel, enjoys the feminine aspect of the role.

"I get to be girlie which is kind of easy for me."

Woodruff, as Hansel, doesn't regret not having the girlie opportunity; in fact, she found portraying the little boy has been interesting.

"It's a little more challenging. You have to think more like a boy. Like discovering the house with all the candy, I have to make sure my movements are a little more exaggerated," she said.

Another challenge of playing the lead was cited by Behning.

"It was hard because I had to dance every day at school and you're exhausted sometimes. But, I loved it because I got to be in all the guest choreographers' dances."

Behning and Woodruff both see college in their future. Behning is hoping to major in dance and believes her time at the Academy will benefit her.

"I have a wide range of abilities. I take tap class, I do pointe, I do hip hop, I feel like I'd fit into a company atmosphere."

Woodruff plans to major in psychology while making sure to fit dance I into her life. But for now, there's the last page, which brings mixed feeling to Woodruff.

"It's, in a way, a kind of relief because it's my last time," she said. "But then again its nerve-racking because you want to make it your best show ever and you want to make it something that everyone will remember."

'Hansel and Gretel' dancers

Bartlett: Kristin Larson

Carol Stream: Ashley Awalt

Elgin: Jessica Behning, Lynsey Behning, Kaylen Bye, Helaina Cooley, Kelsey Davis, Alexandra Gaston, Molly Hendershott, Nico Johnson, Lauren Jurs, Jordan Maijala, Anna Montgomery, Cory Poll, Brianna Ripoli, Sarah Rot, Veronica Woodruff

South Elgin: Hanna Diehl, Kelly Dunleavy. Margarita Rusiana

Streamwood: Melissa Gross

West Chicago: Alissa Frederick

If you go

What: Dance performance of "Hansel and Gretel"

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7

Where: Larkin High School auditorium at the corner of McLean and Larkin, Elgin

Cost: $8 adults; $5 students and seniors

Call: (847) 888-5200