SPANISH FORK — What happens when you combine a children's story full of bears with butterfly ballerinas and a fairy princess?
You get an audience full of children focused on classical ballet before they realize it.
And, hopefully, you get children who won't shy away from the fine arts when they're adults, said Jennie Creer-King, a Spanish Fork resident and dance teacher who is also Mrs. Utah 2005.
"Enriching the lives of children through the fine arts is my service platform, " said Creer-King as she waited for the school gym to fill up with lively youngsters.
Through collaboration with the Ballet West Outreach Program and the Utah State Office of Education P.O.P.S. program, Creer-King has created and is taking a 30-minute interactive ballet story to elementary schools in Utah Valley throughout her year's reign.
There is no charge for the show, and her cast members are all donating their time and talents.
Julie Webb of Provo and Bradley Robinson from Timpview High School play the parts of Mama and Papa Bear. Creer-King is Baby Bear.
Vanesa Crowfoot and Michele Fitzgerald from Lone Peak High School, Hannah Wright and Ashly Mann from Springville High School and Sylvia Cutler from Provo Centennial Middle School are the dancers.
Children in the audience get to tell the story of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" as well as ask questions (Does it hurt to dance on your toes?) and dance for prizes.
At Spanish Oaks Elementary, 10-year-old Jared Kearl told the story, impromptu, to his peers with color and enthusiasm.
The costumed dancing bears and ballerinas took over from there.
"I really liked the ballet dancers," said Chandler Whittaker, 10, who was dancing hard to try and win for the boy's side. "I dance around at home a lot. I like it."
"We both take dance so we really liked when they danced," said Jade Talbot. She and her friend Rachel Kaluau are both in the fifth grade at Spanish Oaks Elementary.
Coming to your school . . .
To bring Goldilocks and The Three Bears to your school, contact Jennie Creer-King: 801-602-3937
E-mail: jennie_creer-king@sfcn.org
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com