Wednesday was a special day for students of Ray Graham Training Center in Chicago.
A group of 35 of the center's students traveled to The James M. Nederlander Theatre in downtown Chicago to participate in a dance workshop led by a cast member from popular musical "The Wiz."
"The Wiz" continues at The Nederlander Theatre through April 5. The Ray Graham Training Center is dedicated to serving students with disabilities. The center's mission statement states the center "offers all students an individualized instructional program that is designed to meet their unique educational, physical and emotional needs."
During the workshop, Jesse Jones, dance captain for "The Wiz" touring production, demonstrated some splashy choreography from the show and taught the students a routine from hit song "Ease on Down the Road."
Jesse Jones speaks during a recent dance workshop featuring choreography from "The Wiz." Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
The students laughed and cheered each other on as they learned the joyous routine. Later in the workshop, they delighted in watching their teachers and other staff members learn a short piece of choreography as well.
The Center had put on a production of "The Wiz" in December and the students chosen for the workshop had participated in the school's rendition of the musical.
Performer Jones said he enjoys leading dance workshops such as this one. He added he teaches workshops about once a month while on tour.
I'm not just a performer, I'm a teacher also," Jones said, adding he's taught dance at various schools including Arcadia University and Rutgers University.
Jesse Jones teaches students choreography from "The Wiz" during a recent workshop. Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
According to Cesar Torruella, executive director of The Department of Arts Education for Chicago Public Schools, this is a wonderful opportunity for the students.
He called the opportunity a "bridge" between what they are learning and have learned in school with what they can learn from a professional in a professional setting.
This is the second year we've partnered with Broadway in Chicago for a workshop," Torruella said. Students from Chicago Public Schools attended a previous workshop in conjunction with the musical "Six."
Jesse Jones, dance captain for "The Wiz," leads a dance workshop for students from Ray Graham Training Center. Photo by Eloise Marie Valadez
"This is so awesome," said Ku-san Thomas, principal of Ray Graham Training Center. She also said it was a great opportunity for the students, especially since they had put on their own production of "The Wiz" and could relate to the work that goes into it.
"Our students did everything (for their production) from makeup and costumes to choreography," Thomas said. "They deserve this (to be a part of the workshop) because of all the hard work they did."
After the morning dance session, the students attended a matinee performance of "The Wiz."
"The Wiz" runs to April 5 at James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago. Provided photo
"It was very good. I really loved the wardrobe, the songs and the dancing," said Sandria Tate, after seeing the show. Tate added she portrayed character Evillene in the school's production.
"It's very spectacular," said student Alexsis Carrillo, about the show. "It was a little different from what we did," she said, adding it was exciting to see what the professional production was like.
To learn more about "The Wiz," visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.