Hannah Wakelin is the choreographer for Twelfth Night, the latest show by the Big Little Theatre Company. Photo Tegan ClarkAshburton teenager Hannah Wakelin has been thrown a challenge for Big Little Theatre Company’s latest show.

The 18-year-old has had her work cut out for her as the choreographer for Twelfth Night, where she has been tasked with teaching 24 youngsters how to dance.

Director Jackie Heffernan said the show was Shakespeare with many twists.

It consequently had a mix of genres, and one of the curve balls she had wanted Hannah to contend with was teaching Elizabethan palm dancing to Celtic music.

“I think working with children who are not dancers, with music that lends itself to a jig and no more, has been a challenge,” Heffernan said.

Hannah said she went to YouTube to research palm dancing, which she found involved people dancing palm to palm and switching around their partners in large gatherings.

Hannah said as well as the palm dancing, there had been other scenarios to incorporate, including each actor having a silly dance to go with their character.

And despite Heffernan’s concept of the show being a tough call, Hannah said it had not been too bad at all, thanks to the enthusiasm of the actors.

“They are all enthusiastic, which helps so much.

“They are all really into it and open to learning a lot. A lot of them go home and practice and come back better the next time,” she said.

Hannah graduated in May following four years at Idyllwild Arts, a performing arts high school in California.

She now plans to not only continue her passion of dancing through choreography and teaching, but also study towards becoming a paediatrician, beginning with enrolling in health sciences at university next year.

Hannah said ultimately her paediatrician work could also tie in with dance, as it was a form of movement which had therapeutic benefits.

“I’m still going to keep dancing no matter what I do,” Hannah said.

Meanwhile, Heffernan said Twelfth Night rehearsals were going well, with the actors’ presentation of Shakespeare so far proving to be “world class”.

“It’s the very best of Shakespeare with a BLTC twist,” Heffernan said.

Heffernan is also being assisted by company patron Moyra Whiting, who is helping with singing and vocals in the show.

Twelfth Night will have a gala performance to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary.

It will run November 22 to 24 at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre.

By Susan Sandys © The Ashburton Guardian - 9 November 2019