As the hit tune "Time of My Life" played, students enthusiastically learned a dance routine recently from "Dirty Dancing The Musical" in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier.
Emma Jade Branson, dance captain for the touring production of "Dirty Dancing," was at the helm of this dance workshop, which was presented by Broadway in Chicago. "Dirty Dancing" is currently running through Sept. 20 at The James M, Nederlander Theatre in Chicago.
Branson said she was excited to teach the workshop to.the students who were all fans of the film "Dirty Dancing" and had come to the workshop to learn some of the iconic moves, including the DD Slide or the Dirty Dancing Slide.
Emma Jade Branson is the dance captain for the "Dirty Dancing The Musical" tour. Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
"This is the first time I've been a dance captain for a show and I'm honored to do it," Branson said. She said it's great to bring the popular story "to everyone across the country" on this tour. Branson said it was her first time in Chicago and she was loving the city. She also praised the fact she had the opportunity to teach the workshop at Navy Pier's ballroom, which has great views of the cityscape.
Branson said the routine she was demonstrating was a short one that was pretty easy for students to learn. "Anyone can do it," she said.
Emma Jade Branson teaches chireography from "Dirty Dancing' at Navy Pier in Chicago. Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
She called the choreography from the show "celebratory, playful and joyful."
Two of the students who enjoyed the dance workshop were Callie Stein-Wayne and Gwen Variano.
"It was so much fun," said Stein-Wayne, who has been a dance captain for various shows performed around Chicagoland.
For more information about "Dirty Dancing" and other Broadway in Chicago shows, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.
Callie Stein-Wayne strikes a pose during the "Dirty Dancing" dance workshop. Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
Students learn choreography from "Dirty Dancing." Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
Students dance during a recent "Dirty Dancing" workshop. Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez