With President Donald Trump on the ground for Thanksgiving weekend, flight restrictions are keeping private helicopters on the ground too, surprising an unsuspecting group of young dancers in Palm Beach County that planned to take part of their show this weekend to the sky.
“Everything was choreographed around the helicopter," said Deena George, whose son has a lead role in the show.
Loud Live Productions' youth show, the Moto Experience, involves 35 young dancers from Boca Raton to Jupiter.
“I've never had a main role of a whole entire show before so I’m very nervous," said Sophia Chambers, a freshman at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, who plays a prison inmate trying to break out.
They've rehearsed since July for an immersive theatrical show, unlike typical dance recitals. The Moto Experience takes audience members into a "prison" set outside Dance Unlimited off Lantana and 441. Dancing, acting, props, even some pyrotechnics, and audience involvement make it a unique experience.
"It’s more than just a show," said William George, a sophomore at Palm Beach Gardens High School, who plays the main prison warden in the show. "It’s an entire production where you’re basically in a movie.”
The big finale was supposed to include a helicopter from Southern Helicopters, based at Lantana Airport.
“Shining the light down. The audience would be feeling the air, hearing the sounds," Deena George said.
The dancers found out Monday that flight restrictions from the president's visit meant they'd have to change that plan, so they reworked the finale. They say they won't let any restrictions restrict their performance.
"A little disappointed at first we were like oh boy what are we going to do now?" William George said. "But we all worked through it. We’re going to bring the show to what it would be regardless whether there’s a helicopter or not.”
The Moto experience goes on again Saturday night at Dance Unlimited off 441 and Lantana at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets: https://www.loudliveproductions.com/