Moab may be a small town, but we have a legit children's dance company!

When I showed up to the dress rehearsal for the Jungle Book, I was instantly floored by the costumes, gorgeous sets, and the number of children involved. It was immediately obvious that teachers, parents, and children had been working like crazy to make this possible. There were just over 80 children, ranging in ages 3-14. The sets and props were built by parents. Lighting was mastered by parents. Costumes were had made. Some of the youngest dancers had porcupine costumes. Porcupine!! Several of the children had multiple costumes. Shere Kahn had about the coolest leggings in the world. There were 19 routines. I'm not sure exactly how many hours of rehearsals were devoted to this performance, but I know there many weekends and evenings spent on the dance floor. Serious kuddos to the instructors and parents!

I truly enjoyed filming this event. I loved being backstage with the kids. Backstage was this crazy party. Kids were eating fruit snacks, doing cartwheels, playing tag, chatting, coloring, doing homework, all while their parents were trying to finish makeup and pin on monkey and wolf ears. And then on stage, the girls and boys were rocking their routines with big smiles, suddenly seeming much older.

I had multiple parents tell me that they were happy to have me there just so they could sit back and watch the performance without worrying about documenting it themselves. I am so glad I could do that for them. I've tried many times to film my boys while they play soccer or sing with their class, and it is so tricky to be both in the moment and do a good job filming it.

I am very excited with how their highlight film came out. I loved finding my favorite parts of each routine. I loved capturing moments between dancers and their parents. I also love the end of the film where the kids are being congratulated by loved ones. I hope this highlight screams "This is why we dance!"