Footlight Dance Centre, under the artistic direction of Hilarie Neely, presents “Peter Pan,” Friday and Saturday, May 3-4 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m., at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater at the Community Campus in Hailey.
Young and old are sure to enjoy the child in us all when we see J.M. Barrie’s 1904 story come to life through dance. Peter Pan will be danced by Clara Gvozdas, and Wendy danced by Audrey Hernandez. Audrey is a senior at WRHS this year and will be dancing the lead role of Wendy sharing an understanding of eternal childhood or moving on to her “grown-up” life ahead, leaving childhood behind—or not. That is the beauty of the story: “Do you grow up or retain a sense of wonder, hope and adventure?”
Other leads include Leila Brickley / Tinker Bell, Grace Rushton / Captain Hook, Sarah Leidecker / Mr. Smee, Zoey Kolb / Crocodile, Romina Zavala / Princess Forest Lily, Ellis Mallett & Cora Ward / the Darling Family children. There are 200 talented young dancers who will grace the stage for this production, ranging in age from five years to seniors in high school.
Footlight Dance, in its 40th year, brings programs to children ages 4 through high school throughout the year at their main studio located in the Community Campus, Hailey, with satellite studios at Studio Move & the YMCA in Ketchum, and the Grange Hall in Hailey. All tickets are $10 and available in advance at Iconoclast Books in Hailey, Independent Goods/Ketchum or Hank & Sylvie’s in Hailey/Ketchum. Presold tickets are encouraged. The performance will include dance genres of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop and tap techniques that make for a lively show with choreography by instructors Gabi Bryant, Robyn Fox, Shellrae Garnes, Hayley Henderson, Mackenzie King, Melodie Taylor Mauldin, Bronwyn McGary, Hilarie Neely, Leah Taylor, Kassidy Thompson and Anne Winton. Guest choreographer, Kioa Delos Reyes set the Advanced Hip Hop piece for the show.
Footlight will host another anniversary celebration performance in July with professional alum who danced with our program as students or have collaborated over the years. Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 27, “Many Voices” with Dance Tapestry workshop students—a performance with dancers from Ballet Idaho, Idaho Dance Theatre, Project Flux, and more.