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Delavan studio sends six dancers to perform in Chicago

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"The Nutcracker"

Nine students from her studio, The Dance Factory in Delavan, auditioned to perform in "The Nutcracker" with Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet. And all nine got picked. It put a damper on Lendman’s own annual Nutcracker performance. But she encouraged her students to take the opportunity to study with a professional company and dance with a live, professional orchestra. Three of Lendman’s students turned down the offer from Joffrey.

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DELAVAN — At first glace, they are wiggly, giggly kids excited about sleepovers and riding the train to Chicago.

They sit in a close-knit bunch and chatter fearlessly about their upcoming performance with Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet.

Then, in one moment, they become serious and poised. They talk about going to Border’s after rehearsal and window-shopping at Macy’s on Michigan Avenue.

“They’ve all grown up a little since they started it,” said “Miss Tina” Lendman, owner of The Dance Factory, 1013 Ann St., Delavan.

Lendman is used to having one or two students a year get picked to perform with the nationally known company. She was amazed this year when all nine of her students who auditioned were chosen to perform.

“This is exceptional,” Lendman said.

Not that it’s been easy for her. Lendman puts on an annual Nutcracker locally. Two of the nine “Joffrey kids,” as she calls them, had lead roles in her show. The others had multiple roles.

They can’t do both shows, so Lendman encouraged the students to take the opportunity to perform with the professional company. The Joffrey Ballet offers experience and training Lendman can’t provide, although she’s proud to have given them the base they need to get there, she said.

And if they don’t take the chance now, next year they might be too tall or be lacking something else Joffrey casters want.

In addition to talent, Joffrey is looking for certain types of people to fill roles, Lendman said.

“They want the look, the foot, the size, the hair, the eye color,” Lendman said. “They want the whole package, and they want it now.”

The professionals look for child performers who can catch the eye of the audience, and her students fit the bill, Lendman said.

“They’re lovely to watch,” she said.

Three of Lendman’s students turned down the offer from the Joffrey Balley.

The remaining six, who range in age from 9 to 11 were unfazed about performing with the famous Chicago dance company. As a group, they chattered about the impressive size of the auditorium and how close the box seats are to the edge of the stage.

The biggest challenge, the group said, is learning to dance with live music, which is unpredictable compared to rehearsal recordings.

Mostly, they talked about how fun it is that they all get to sleep over at one person’s house the night before Saturday rehearsals and ride the train together to downtown Chicago.

Despite the fun, the kids were all business.

“It’s very exciting,” said Brenna Barry, 9. “You see all the huge buildings. But you just have to keep going.”

It’s not an easy schedule. Rehearsals started Oct. 3, and the show runs through Dec. 27. The students rehearse every Saturday and occasionally on Sundays. They are in one of the show’s two casts and will perform in nine of the 18 shows.

It’s hard work but a fantastic opportunity, Lendman said.

“It will forever change who they are.”