Dance show to raise awareness, money for autism

Combining a thrilling dance show with an opportunity to raise awareness and support for the challenges of autism is the brainchild of a 15-year-old high school sophomore from Schaumburg.

LilliRose Farnell last winter thought it would be a great idea to put a spotlight on autism and make it the beneficiary of her dance school's annual August show at the Prairie Center for the Arts.

The Hanover Park-based Faubourg Ballet Theatre will present "Les Danseurs featuring Coppelia" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Prairie Center at 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg.

Ticket sales will benefit the Northwest Suburban Autism Society, and a special presentation at the end of the first act will explore the challenges of autism as well as show what children with autism can do.

"These kids are different, but they're not really that different," Farnell said. "They just learn differently, and that was something I could connect to because I have dyslexia."

Farnell put together a video talking to parents and an occupational therapist about working with autistic children. In the show, this will be followed by a piece she choreographed in which she and another dancer will perform with four children between the ages of 5 and 9 who have autism.

The wonderful thing about dance, Farnell said, is that it allows many children with autism to learn something in a similar way to other children. Many new skills, from academics to competitive sports, are learned in different ways by autistic children.

But the particular benefits of dance are something many parents and children don't discover on their own, said Amy Bolas of Schaumburg, president of the Northwest Suburban Autism Society.

Bolas' daughter, 5-year-old Megan, will be one of those performing with Farnell this week. But it was an instructor at the Hanover Park Park District who first introduced Megan to dance.

Bolas said the money raised from the show will help her local chapter of the Autism Society of America with the cost of room rentals for meetings and guest speakers. But perhaps an even bigger reward is the chance to spread the word about autism.

"The more people learn about autism, the more accepting they will be our children," she said.

Farnell is grateful to Faubourg artistic director Watmora Casey not only for this opportunity to help the cause of autism, but for all the dance skills and life lessons he's provided her since she was in the second grade.

"When I first walked into his studio, I was a very shy person," she said. "He taught me to believe in myself and have confidence."

If any proof is needed, it's her ability to undertake a project like this one, Farnell said.

Tickets for the show are $20 for adults and $16 for students and seniors. Tickets may be bought at faubourgschoolofballet.net or by calling (877) 548-3237.

To learn more about the Northwest Suburban Autism Society, visit autismillinois.com.