‘Riverdance' cast members lead a workshop in Irish dance: When in doubt, jump and smile
In a sunlit studio at the Irish American Heritage Center, approximately 30 people spent the Monday morning of St. Patrick's Day learning Irish dance steps from Brianna Doran and Samantha Felling, two professional dancers from 'Riverdance,' the globally touring production that's become nearly synonymous with the art form that it's helped popularize over the past three decades. Open to participants of all ages and experience levels, the free workshop was organized by downtown theater owner Broadway in Chicago, which will present a one-week engagement of 'Riverdance 30 — The New Generation' at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in April.
Beginning with basic steps such as 'point' and 'cut,' Doran and Felling demonstrated the proper techniques of the dance form known for juxtaposing intricate footwork and athletic leg movements with rigid posture in the upper body. For 75 minutes, they taught the group an excerpt of the choreography to the eponymous musical number that closes the show's first act
Several participants had previous training in Irish dance, while others were new to the genre, but everyone gamely embraced the experience, cheering each other on and sharing some laughs as they tried to keep time with the music's brisk tempo. If in doubt, just jump and smile, the instructors joked.
Emily Harriott, a Northwestern University graduate who lives in Nashville, attended the workshop during her annual St. Patrick's Day trip to Chicago. 'There's literally no better place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in America than Chicago,' she said. Harriott has been Irish dancing since childhood and now teaches it, so she was excited to learn about the workshop through Instagram.
'I had a blast,' she said afterward. 'I have to admit I know a fair bit of the ('Riverdance') choreography already because literally in my spare time, I learned it off of YouTube for fun. But it was so fun to get to learn it from two dancers who are in the cast. … It added so much.'
'Riverdance' typically has several casts touring simultaneously, and Doran performed on the North American tour in 2022 and 2023. Since joining the company in 2023, Felling has toured North America and Europe, and she returns to the show this year. Before becoming professional performers, both grew up Irish dancing in competitions, and Doran won a world championship with her former team. In addition to performing, Doran and Felling teach at the Riverdance Summer School, an annual training program that doubles as a weeklong audition for new company members.
Originating as the interval act at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, 'Riverdance' was developed into a full-length stage show by producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan. With its crowd-pleasing blend of Irish and international dance, live music and theatrical spectacle, the production quickly took off in Dublin, London and New York before touring more extensively. Since then, it has played on six continents and won a Grammy Award for Whelan's score.
For the 30th anniversary tour, the company comprises dancers who were all born after the show premiered. 'It is an incredible privilege and honor to be a part of the next generation,' Felling said in an interview after the workshop. 'I have not known life without 'Riverdance.' I started Irish dancing because I went to see it when I was 5 years old and just never looked back. I knew exactly in that moment that I wanted to do that.'
Doran shared one of her favorite tour memories: a performance in her home state of North Carolina. 'It was amazing. You could hear all the students from my [dance] school; my teachers got to see me. It was probably one of the best days of my life,' she said. 'I came out of the stage door, and they were all there. It was a big crowd, and I just felt so loved in that moment.''
When the tour comes to Chicago, audiences will see a refreshed version of the original show with new choreography and costumes, as well as upgraded lighting and projections. 'Everything has been elevated,' said Doran. 'And then, the dancing, the athleticism — dancing has evolved in the past 30 years, so the dancers in this are just the best of the best.'
Reflecting on this legacy, Felling said, 'Even just thinking about it, I have the chills now. For 30 years, our producers, John McColgan and Moya Doherty, and our composer, Bill Whelan, have just cultivated this show that's full of energy and passion and just the most talented cast and creatives to keep the show running. For a show to be running for 30 years and have the consistent love and support that it does is just absolutely incredible.'
Emily McClanathan is a freelance critic.
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