Middle schooler in line and on key in chorus

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

By JEFF GATES
Press Contributor

Putting on his dancing wheels.

As her oldest son Dakota prepares to make his high school theatre debut, Heather Williams is nervous.

It’s understandable. As just one of a handful of middle school students selected to participate in this weekend’s presentation of the musical “Footloose,” eighth grader Dakota is saddled with the added pressure of learning some extra dance moves for performance on the London High School stage.

But, if there was ever a kid who has met, exceeded and shattered expectations time and time again in his life, it has been Dakota.

You see, two months after the 14-year-old was born, he was diagnosed with Nemaline Myopthy, a condition that affects all of his skeletal muscles. Therefore, he is ventilator dependent and relies on his wheelchair for mobility.

“He totally amazes his doctors,” Heather said of her teen-ager. “When they put his trach in (at six months of age), they weren’t going to do it because he wasn’t supposed to live.”

Not only has Dakota survived, but he has lived life to the fullest.

According to his mother, Dakota has been interested in choir and musicals since starting school, despite both his parents being more of the behind-the-scenes type. Heather credits London Elementary music teacher Teri Gray and his middle school choir director Stephanie Stephens with encouraging Dakota’s musical interests.

“I first met him when I traveled to the elementary two years ago for seventh grade choir tryouts,” said Stephens, who directs “Footloose” this weekend. “When I asked who was trying out for choir, he buzzed forward and sang perfectly in tune.”

Earlier this year, Dakota participated in the Middle School’s production of “Mulan,” and when Stephens opened up the high school show to the eighth graders, Dakota was one of the first to express interest.

“Although it makes me quite nervous each time he gets up on stage in front of an audience, he never has concerns,” Heather said. “My biggest fear is that in the public eye people will only see what he cannot do and not take the opportunity to appreciate what he can.”

Someone who has quickly become a person to appreciate Dakota’s talents is Vicki Arnold, the choreographer for “Footloose.” A veteran of 50-plus shows, Arnold admits Dakota is her first dancer who is in a wheelchair. She soon found out she would be just as thrilled with the experience as Dakota was.

“I was introduced to Dakota and was told he would also be in the opening number,” Arnold said. “I told him it would be a little hectic with so many there, but after I got all the steps taught, I would help him figure out how to get in there.”

But, to Arnold’s delight (she calls him a “gem”); Dakota found himself a spot and learned the dance right along with the rest of his cast members.

“He’s been a joy to work with,” Arnold said. “He’s always early and ready for rehearsal, is consistent and reliable, is the line leader in a traveling section of the music, and has a short solo in the dance break portion of the first song.”

The show caps off a busy eighth grade year for Dakota. In addition to “Mulan,” Dakota went on the Washington, D.C. trip, competed in Power of the Pen, and helped manage the basketball team. Not bad for a young man who had spinal fusion surgery in July 2008.

“I wasn’t sure how he would take to the choreography, but he is a born performer and he has quickly adapted every move Vicki has given him,” Stephens said. He seems to love the limelight and is eager to volunteer for extra scenes.”

Now, in the midst of show week, Dakota’s director is even more impressed with the stamina he has shown — serving as a role model for his fellow cast members.

“There are times when some of the other kids are too tired to continue, but Dakota is like the Energizer Bunny,” Stephens said. “Never a complaint, and he keeps going.”

Dakota and the rest of the cast of “Footloose” will be on the London High School stage Thursday through Sunday.