Local dancers take stage in fight against AIDS

• Reprints

Cara Kraus-Perrotta (from left), Sarah Eichinger and Brianna Kramer are the student choreographers for a Morgan Park Academy dance show that will raise money to help fight HIV/AIDS. | Supplied photo

Updated: March 15, 2012 8:09AM

High school students at Morgan Park Academy are putting the final touches on an annual dance performance designed to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Dancers’ Fund.

The school’s eighth annual charity dance show will introduce the audience to a range of dance styles, all for a good cause.

The student-directed, student-produced show will feature original choreography from seniors Cara Kraus-Perrotta and Sarah Eichinger, residents of Chicago’s Beverly community, and junior Brianna Kramer, a New Lenox resident.

This is the third year Kraus-Perrotta, a senior, is co-directing the show. She and Eichinger are preparing Kramer to take over the reins of the production next year.

The trio of students began planning the show over the summer, and rehearsals started in November, Kraus-Perrotta said. The time and effort are well worth it, she said.

“I’ve been dancing since age 4,” she said. “It’s really great to do what we love for a great cause.”

Each year, the show raises about $2,000 to help fight HIV/AIDS in Chicago.

The 90-minute program will feature a wide variety of dance styles, including classical ballet, contemporary, ethnic and hip-hop.

The hip-hop routine will be performed by several members of the school’s faculty.

“It’s been really fun to work with the teachers. We’ve been having a really great time with it,” said Kraus-Perrotta, who plans to study dance in college and pursue a career in choreography.

The show will be held at 7 p.m. March 2 and 3 at Morgan Park Academy, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago.

Tickets are $10, or $5 for students, seniors and faculty, and will be sold at the door.

For information, call the school at (773) 881-6700 or visit www.danceforlifechicago.com.

Dance for Life raises awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS care, prevention and education, while promoting the art of dance in Chicago.

The first Dance for Life, which featured several Chicago-area dance companies, premiered at the Organic Theatre in June, 1991, according to www.danceforlifechicago.com. The show started as a way for dancers and dance companies to be able to contribute to the fight against AIDS, the website says.