WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — It's almost that time of year again when ten local celebrities show us what they can do on the dance floor to raise money for a children's theater in Luzerne County.
Keeping up with the count—whether it's with steps, snaps, spins, or something else—is one of the many considerations when preparing for a dance competition.
"I'm not a dancer," said Drew Popish, one of 10 local celebrities paired with an area professional dancer to compete in this year's Dancing Stars of Wilkes-Barre.
The event benefits the Kiss Theatre Company, an inclusive children's theater in Wilkes-Barre Township.
"Oh, I love this theater. I love that it gets children to be able to show them true selves and up on stage," said contestant Katrina Wallace.
"If I was younger doing that, I think it would have added a lot of value to just growing up and feeling confident in meeting people," said contestant Steven Cooper.
"It was interesting. It was something different. I like the competitive nature of it. and Something I want to throw my hat in the ring for," said contestant Tom Meluskey.
"Last year, it was just so incredible to see all these friends of mine and colleagues of mine dancing up there. And I thought, you know, I could never do that, and then it kind of fell into my lap, and I said, 'Absolutely,'" Wallace said.
"I entered this competition because I believe that art is important. And it is our universal language, and we should doing everything we can to protect it survival," Popish said.
But that motivation comes with some challenges to overcome.
"It's one quick step plus your arm movements, plus your head, plus your ribcage plus your abs, plus your toes have to be pointed a certain way. So, every eight steps is like about 500 steps to me," said contestant Adam Thalenfeld.
"As a casual dancer, you don't really learn stuff. You just kind of like maybe drink too much and then and then kind of feel the music," Cooper said.
"I've also learned that whatever feels awful and uncomfortable actually looks the best. And then what feels great actually looks terrible," Popish added.
The contestants say that no matter the outcome, this competition has brought the community closer together to support the arts.
"Everyone I know who's done it has a great time doing it. So just a good excuse to have a lot of fun while doing something good for the community," Thalenfeld said.
The contestants will take the stage on Saturday, February 17, at the F.M. Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
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