Mikaela Hennings dances at an earlier performance. (Photo/This Little Light Photography)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Dancing Anne

Unity dancer takes stage in Anne of Green Gables

Mar 6, 2024 | 4:16 PM

A young girl from Unity is about to pirouette her way back in time to the era of straw hats with green ribbon, gingham dresses and hair the colour of carrots.

Eleven-year-old Mikaela Hennings will take the stage of the Vic Juba Community Theatre in Lloydminster as a cast member of Ballet Jorgen’s travelling production of Anne of Green Gables on Thursday, March 7.

“I haven’t figured out my role yet,” she said, noting today the dancers will find out the characters they’ll perform and begin rehearsals before performing Thursday evening.

The company is one of the premier dance companies in the country.

“I’m hoping to be Anne’s friend – I forget her name – but I really want to be Anne’s friend ‘cause that’s, it looks like a fun character to be and to act out,” she said of Diana Barry.

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According to Courtney Smith, Hennings’ dance teacher and director from STAND OUT Dance Collective, she has known the young girl since she began dancing at the age of two or three.

“Mikaela trains in any genre that she’s eligible for at her age,” she said.

“She does ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and acro.”

Smith explained they learned about the company’s production coming to Lloydminster after Hennings’ mother came across an advertisement.

“The Jorgen Ballet Company put out a call for local talent for when they come to specific venues to play some of the roles in the show that are basically considered more for children,” Smith said.

The ballet is based on Anne of Green Gables the Musical and tells the classic story of Anne and her life on a farm in the small fictional community of Avonlea.

“This is a western Canada tour as far as I know,” said Smith, noting the Lloydminster show is for one night only.

According to Hennings, her favourite part of the story is Anne’s affinity for horses.

It’s always nice to see her riding,” she said.

The young girl is in for a whirlwind 24 hours. Today she arrived at the theatre to be signed her role and begin rehearsals.

“Tomorrow is the costume fitting and the rehearsal on the stage, so the dress rehearsal is actually the same day as the show,” Smith said.

“I’m really excited just to see what she gets to do on the stage and how she takes on the role.”

Meanwhile, although this production is ballet, Hennings said she also loves to dance different genres.

“Jazz, hip-hop, they’re always so fun, energetic and getting to perform onstage,” she said.

“I like that there’s a crowd and I get to be on the stage and show off all my energy.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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