Magical Moves
Dance group to join in on Halloween magic show
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| Jaime Martis, a member of On Broadway Dancers, is lifted by cast members during a practice for this year’s “Twenty: 20 Years of Halloween Magic” show to take place at Minooka Community High School South Campus on Saturday and hosted by Dr. Mark Kaschube. (Herald photos by Heidi Terry-Litchfield) |
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CHANNAHON – Kim Scerine, artistic director of On Broadway Dancers in Coal City has a little magic in her past.
As the best friend of Dr. Mark Kaschube’s sister, Scerine was one of the original assistants during his magic show that has grown into the spectacle over the years, and can be seen tomorrow.
Last year she received a call from her magical past when Dr. Kaschube asked if her dancers would want to be part of his annual Halloween show. Six girls took part, only to be as surprised as the audience when a zebra appeared on the stage they shared.
Scerine said she remembered exactly who Dr. Kaschube was when he called even though he now has ‘doctor’ in front of his name.
Emma Frantini was excited last year to learn she would become part of the show.
“It was a lot harder than most of the shows we do,” she said. “Last year it was my favorite show because it was so different.”
Frantini, who has been dancing at the Broadway Dance Center for about 14 years, said she was excited to again be part of the theatrical display of illusions and dance that rivals most Las Vegas shows.
The show – which has only one performance – had 2000 audience members last year, packing the gym of Minooka Community High School South Campus.
The dancers said the large crowd plays into their excitement, especially when they get to jump into the audience.
Last year six students were part of the performance. But this year the entire group of 18 girls will be performing “Thriller.”
“We have done part of the final piece. We just added some choreography to it for this show,” Scerine said.
To the dancers, any type of performance is theatre; but they are having a blast preparing themselves for this performance in particular.
“This show is something very different for them as dancers,” she said. “They will take part in one of the illusions this year – which is new to them.”
To ready themselves for Grundy County’s largest Halloween show, the girls choreographed their own routines, with Scerine stepping in only to help them polish the end result.
“We choreographed the illusion last week for two nights and I let them do the choreography,” she said. “They have practiced it and will be polishing it up on stage for dress rehearsal this week.”
Scerine said having dancers that are able to make quick changes and adjust as the dance changes is key to get ready for this type of performance so quickly.
“Most of the dance company grew up since they were between five and eight years old in my studio,” she said. “They are athletes who practice three times a week and are no different than those who play baseball or another sport.”
She said they perform between 12 and 24 shows a year.
“A big portion is training but equally important is commitment, if they aren’t committed to excellence they couldn’t achieve what they do,” she said. “They know what it feels like to be good so they keep trying to achieve their best.”
“They have strong commitment, strong values, and excel at everything they do,” she added.
The show is one of five shows the girls will be performing this week as they set off into their busiest performing season.
The On Broadway Dancers perform at halftime shows for several colleges, the Chicago Bulls, and are part of several Chicago festivals.
