“Star Wars” is an undeniable cultural phenomenon. When the first film was released nearly 40 years ago, it captured the imaginations of millions of moviegoers. The most recent additions to the sci-fi franchise have created a new generation of fans, many of whom are finding unexpected ways to show their enthusiasm.
Ten-year-old Julia Jenkins is one of them. “Star Wars is awesome. ‘Return of the Jedi’ is my favorite.” Only one thing can trump her love for these action packed epics. “I really like dancing,” she said and with the help of Tallahassee Ballet’s “Star Wars” summer dance camp, she can enjoy both. Kayleigh Stuart, 9, is also a fan of the films and with several years of dance training under her belt, she particularly enjoyed the theme of this camp. “I like how, in our jazz dance, we’re storm troopers. We march in and we do a lot of marching. For ballet, we’re dancing to the Star Wars music.”
While the pairing of “Star Wars” and dance may seem unusual, there is at least one significant commonality, “the Force.” With rigorous training and courage, those who are able to harness its power can achieve extraordinary things. In fact, this is what originally drew camp instructor Hope Gaines to her profession.
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