Dancer Andrew Noble's collaboration with senior citizens led him down the path to younger collaborators.
"When I danced in Florida, I did a work called 'Timepiece' that was about the elderly," Noble said during an interview between rehearsal breaks. "I enjoyed working with the community and found it was a good way to get support. That got me thinking about working with kids."
Noble's thoughts have become a reality. His independent company — Andy Noble & Dancers — has joined up with the hands-on arts organization Bad Dog Rediscovers America, to bring " . . . To the Rescue" to the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. Broadway (300 South), Friday-Sunday, Aug. 25-27.
Evening performances will be Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday's performance will be a matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through all ArtTix outlets or by calling 355-ARTS (2787).
"The idea for '. . . To the Rescue' was derived from what I did as a child," Noble said. "All children are intrigued by superheroes. I was. And I know how children respond to them. I began to see a way I could use the idea of superheroes to help the children overcome their unique and sometimes heartbreaking strife in life, especially those who live in the more urban areas."
The story examines the lives, dreams and situations of urban youths through a superhero duo, Dr. Fritz and the invisible Super Shrink.
Noble was planning to do the program two years ago in Florida, but then he landed his job with Repertory Dance Theatre. "I decided to do it here, and it's been a great experience," he said. "The one worry I had was the fact that I was new in the city and didn't have the reputation I did back in Florida. But I asked a few people to be a part of the program and they were very excited about it."
Dancers Josh Larsen, Chara Huckins, Nathan Balser, Dionne Sparkman, Tamara Riewe, Down Levingston and actor Lloyd Mulvey are all a part of the program.
Then there are the children.
Noble contacted Bad Dog Rediscovers America, a nonprofit arts organization designed to mentor children with the use of art and technology.
"Andy got with us back in 1999," said Victoria Lyons, who, along with Michael Moonbird, co-directs Bad Dog. "And he wanted to use the kids who are part of our program in his program."
While not all of the kids will be dancing in the piece, they all will have something to do.
"They're making sets and will be backstage working on the technical side of the production," Lyons said about the non-performers. "The kids have quite a bit of input in costume design and creating the sets. It's a very hands-on experience for them. And it teaches them skills that they will need in the future.
"They work with real deadlines and real pressures of producing a program," explained Lyons. "And that will help them in their careers later in life, whether they are working for a corporation or arts organization."
While there are children in the program, Noble made a point to say that this is not necessarily a children's show.
"It's fairly sophisticated and dark," he explained. "The real issues of growing up in the world today — abuse, drugs — are there, but in a quiet way. It's geared more to ages 12 and up."
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com