Two local women fulfill their dancing dreams
Two dancers who grew up in the suburbs started dancing about the same time they learned to walk. The professional dancers are now part of the 20th anniversary season of the River North Chicago Dance Company.
Elgin native Hanna Brictson, 23, and 25-year-old Cassandra Porter, originally from Aurora, talk about their dancing careers and what it means to be part of the anniversary season that kicks off with two world premieres.
Hanna Brictson
Q. Where did you go to high school and where do you live now?
A. I live in Chicago. I grew up in Elgin and graduated from Larkin High School.
Q. What's one of your earliest memories of dancing?
A. I starting dancing when I was 2. One of my earliest memories is the first time I was on stage when I was about 3 years old. I remember being underneath the lights and seeing the audience. I still get completely nervous anytime I do a performance.
Q. What is it like to dance with River North?
A. I have to pinch myself in the morning before I go to work. Being able to dance every day for a living is pretty incredible.
Q. What is your dance background?
A. I'm a graduate of Larkin High School's Visual and Performing Arts Dance Academy in Elgin. I received the Women's Bureau of Arts scholarship and the Organ Donor Gift of Life award, and was offered dance scholarships to both Point Park University and Western Michigan University.
Q. How long have you been with River North?
A. I attended River North Chicago workshops at the age of 13 and continued through the program as one of the youngest Summer Intensive program participants and company apprentices.
Cassandra Porter
Q. Where did you go to high school and where do you live now?
A. I live in Chicago and graduated from West Aurora High School.
Q. What's one of your earliest memories of dancing?
A. I started dancing when I was about 7 years old. I remember being in a ballet class and learning the dance for a recital. At the ending pose - I had to hold a boy's hand. But a more pinnacle moment was when I was 9 or 10 and my parents took me to see a dance concert. It was the River North Chicago Dance Company. Two pieces stuck with me, "Glimpse" and "Reality of a Dreamer." That's when I knew I wanted to be a dancer.
Q. What else were you involved in growing up?
A. I played the flute and tried to do the cheerleading thing. I was involved with musicals too. But I always loved to dance.
Q. What else have you done professionally?
A. I've had three contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line where I traveled the world performing under well-known choreographers. Since 2003, I've danced in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's annual Christmas show, "Welcome Yule."
Q. Are you happy here in Chicago?
A. I have tested the waters on the ships and this is where I want to be.
Q. What do you want to do when you retire from dancing?
A. I kind of want to be a baker. I want to decorate cakes.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Two decades</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> To celebrate the 20th season, River North Chicago Dance Company is expanding its programming this season to include a fall engagement.</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 </p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park </p> <p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $30-$65</p> <p class="News"><b>More information:</b> (312) 334-7777 or <a href="http://harristheaterchicago.org" target="new">harristheaterchicago.org</a></p>