Cadance Academy Proudly Presents:

our 46th annual year-end show.

Prepare to journey to a galaxy far, far away through the power of dance and music. Witness the epic tale of heroes, battles, and hope unfold from the sandy dunes of Tatooine to the lush forests of Endor.

Watch for your audience interactive prompts and join us as we bring to life the timeless struggle between light and dark, courage and destiny, all through captivating movement and rhythm.

Director’s Report 2026

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our 46th annual Cadance Spring Performance! Get your light sabers journey through the stars with Cadance Wars!

We have been eager to explore a space-themed show for some time, and we are thrilled to finally bring this vision to life. Cadance Wars draws inspiration from the original Star Wars trilogy, a timeless story with a powerful message. Star Wars explores the journey of growing up and discovering one’s place in the universe. It portrays the ongoing struggle between good and evil, both in the world around us and within ourselves. At its heart, it celebrates the strength of hope, the courage to resist oppression, and the possibility of redemption through love and forgiveness.

With Cadance Wars, we’ve crafted an original story that draws on the thrilling adventures and iconic music of Star Wars to deliver a unique dance experience. Fans of the original trilogy will discover many subtle tributes woven throughout the performance.

This production has truly been a labor of love, fueled by the energy and dedication of our remarkable dancers and teachers. Speaking of dedication, I want to take a moment to honor and dedicate this show to Laila North, a cherished member of the Cadance family for 16 years. Laila has been a guiding light—an inspiration whose passion, wisdom, and commitment have deeply shaped our community. Though her teaching role will be reduced next year, her impact will continue to resonate with us all. We love you, Laila!

We are beyond excited to share this unforgettable adventure with you tonight. Thank you for being here and for your unwavering support, it means the galaxy to us.

Enjoy the show!

May Cadance be with you.

Gaea Jess

Gaea Jess | Artistic Director of Cadance Academy

LiveLoveCadance Lightsaber!

Be part of the experience with our Audience Interactive LED Lightsabers, choose if you are on the Light Side (Red) or the Dark Side Blue) and wear your choice proud.

Throughout the production the audience will light up the theatre from their seats, on the edge of their seats, with live action duels of the mind and hand alike.

Come, join us in the battle of feet, agility, grace and grit.

May Cadance Be with you.

Flower Bouquets avaiable in the Lobby

Celebrate your dancer with a bouquet of "I am so proud of you!"

*Limited supply, don't wait. They will be gone.

May the Flowers Be With You- $30
Yellow Ranunculus, Orange Ranunculus, Blue Delphinium, White Snapdragon, Purple Statice and Anemones Greens

Squadron- $20
Yellow Ranunculus, Blue Delphinium, White Snapdragon, Purple Statice and Anemone Greens

Little Skywalker -$15
Orange Ranunculus, White Snapdragon, Purple Statice and Anemone Bloom

Flowers sourced locally from Two Birds One Stone Flower Farm in Hall's Harbour, NS who grows beautiful, seasonal flowers that make every special occasion bloom.

SPECIAL THANKS

Teachers & Choreographers
Netanya Backhouse | Sydney Ewert | Kara Friesen | Gaea Jess | Laila North

Teacher Assistants
Claire Asprey | Sophia Cudmore | Odin Jess-Wegleitner | Ada May Levy

Front of House
Linda Jess

Technicians
Cole Jordan | Ryan Zwicker

Videography
Eric Cedarburg

Photography
*** add name ***

Costumes
Elaine Boyd | Heidi Imlay-Price | Linda Jess

Special Thanks:
Staples149 New Minas
Two Birds One Stone Flower Farm
Acadia Festival Theatre
Magic 94.9 & AVR Radio

INtroduction

Choreographed By Gaea Jess

CADANCE WARS 2026

SCENE 1: Planet of Tatooine - Yearning for Adventure

On the dusty planet of Tatooine, life is simple but monotonous. Luke Skywalker lives with his uncle and aunt on their farm, dreaming of distant worlds and daring adventures. His everyday life feels confined by chores and responsibilities.

Jawas, hooded scavengers with a flair for hip hop, arrive to sell droids. Luke’s uncle buys two: the talkative C-3PO and the curious R2-D2. Suddenly, R2-D2 bolts into the desert. Luke and C-3PO give chase but are ambushed by fierce Sand People. Just when danger looms, Obi-Wan Kenobi appears, saving them with powerful, fluid movements.

Returning home, Luke finds tragedy, his aunt and uncle have been slain. Obi-Wan urges Luke to embrace his destiny as a Jedi and join the fight against the dark side.

Dreaming on the Stars
Choreographed by Gaea Jess
Contemporary 3: Mary Cameron, Ryleigh Cross, Odin Jess-Wegleitner, Lucy Risser-Milne, Jaiana Sharpe, Lily Zimmermann-shute with Aunt Beru Lars

A Simple Life
Choreographed by Laila North
Pas de deux Class: Sophia Cudmore, Stephanie Gauvin, Eliza Godfrey, Julie Harris, Odin Jess-Wegleitner, Melrose Kinney, Ada May Levy, Ward MacDonald, Celine Porter, Lydia Rainforth, Chelsea Thornton

Playful Children (12:30 show only)
Choreographed by Netanya Backhouse
Little Stars: Alexandria Brown, Valerie Harrison, Brielle Martin, Alyssia Salmon with Ada May

Jawas
Choreographed by Sydney Ewert
Hip Hop 1: Hunter Harvey, Raiden Jess-Wegleitner, Aurelia MenGibsonnie, Liza Zinkovska with Luke, Uncle Owen, R2-D2, C-3PO

Droids
Choreographed by Sydney Ewert
Jazz 2: Autumn Andrechek, Maisie Brown , Everett Imlay-Price, Meryk Jess-Wegleitner, Mylah Jewell, Adeline Pynn-Sponagle with Luke, Uncle Owen, R2-D2, C-3PO

R2D2 Escape
Choreographed by Gaea Jess
Luke, R2-D2, C-3PO

Sand People Attack
Choreographed by Laila North
Open Ballet Class: Claire Asprey, Stephanie Gauvin, Julie Harris, Jasmine Imlay-Price, Melrose Kinney, Eva Lipton, Celine Porter, Lucy Richard, Brenda Solman, Sarah Surette with R2-D2

Devastation
Choreographed by Gaea Jess
Contemporary 3: Mary Cameron, Ryleigh Cross, Odin Jess-Wegleitner, Lucy Risser-Milne, Jaiana Sharpe, Lily Zimmermann-shute with Aunt Beru Lars and Uncle Owen

Scene 2: The Call — Princess Leia’s Message

R2-D2 reveals a holographic plea from Princess Leia, begging for help against the dark side’s tyranny. Obi-Wan gives Luke his father’s lightsaber, a symbol of hope for the light side.

Princess Leia and Dancers (12:30 show only)
Choreographed By Netanya Barkhouse
First Step Dancers: Scarlett Broaders, Adeline Cox, Lilith Pinch, Willow Reid, Brooklyn Wilson with Princess Leia: Lily ZimmerMANN-Shute Grade 2 Ballet

A Plea For Help
Choreographed by Sydney Ewert
Grade 2 Ballet: Maya Beaudoin, Jessa Gallant, Hunter Harvey, Emily Hodges, Silas Joudrey , Gabby MacMillan, Nora Scott

Gift from Obi-Wan
Choreographed By Gaea Jess

Scene 3: Cantina Jazz Bar — Tension Rise

Seeking a pilot to escape Tatooine, Obi-Wan, Luke, and the droids enter an alien cantina pulsing with vibrant jazz beats. They meet Han Solo and Chewbacca, who promise a swift getaway.

Luke soon finds himself in trouble with hostile aliens. Tensions spike when bounty hunter Greedo confronts Han Solo. The atmosphere darkens as Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and the Stormtroopers arrive, encircling everyone. In a heroic duel, Obi-Wan sacrifices himself to allow Han, Chewbacca, Luke, and the droids to escape.

Cantina Band
Choreographed By Netanya Barkhouse
Jazz 1: Holden Harvey, Emily Hodges, Raiden Jess-Wegleitner, Bom Kim, Sodam Kim, Isabella MacNeil, William Pynn-Sponagle with Chewbacca; Brenda Solman, Han Solo, Alien Thugs; Piper Martin, Lily Zimmermen-Shute

Enemies
Choreographed By Gaea Jess
Jazz 3: Claire Asprey, Odin Jess-Wegleitner, Piper Martin, Lucy Risser-Milne, Brenda Solman, Lily Zimmermann-shute, Greedo; Heidi Imlay-Price and the Storm Troopers; Grade 4 Tuesday: Roya Beaudoin, Sadie Corkum, Ryleigh Cross, Allison Fader, Charlotte Fraser, Claire Jennings, Mylah Jewell, Heidi McFarlane, Norah O'Blenis, Boba Fett; Vahn Imlay-Price, The Dark Side duo Sophia Cudmore and Eliza Godfrey, The Light Side duo; Lydia Rainforth Ada May Levy and Darth Vader; Ward McDonald

Scene 5: Swamp Planet Dagobah — Jedi Training

Luke and R2-D2 arrive on Dagobah, a mysterious swamp teeming with strange creatures. Yoda appears, frightening the wildlife away while R2-D2 scurries to safety.

Yoda reveals her mastery of the Force and begins training Luke. His lessons culminate in a mystical dance inside an ancient tree where he glimpses Darth Vader’s dark shadow—and his own potential fall to the dark side. Sensing danger for his friends, Luke departs as Yoda peacefully fades away, hopeful for the future.

Seeking Master Yoda
Choreographed By Gaea Jess
Acro 2: Daisy Andrew, Emmy Andrew, Nathalie Beckwith , Kate Bell, Isla Durette, Charlotte Fraser, Addison Fraser, Jessa Gallant, Evelyn Gregoire, Hunter Harvey, Cecelia Jennings, Eleanor Jennings, Gabby MacMillan, Olivia Rosche, Jenny Anne Schaffer, Zahra Scothorn, Axton Sharpe, Hannah Stoddart, Lola Vardy with Yoda; Ella Crowell

Magical Tree
Choreographed By Laila North
Grade 4 Monday: Emmersen Brown, Ella Crowell, Bella Devine, Rose Hand, Zachariah Imlay-Price, Leigh Kennedy, Lyla MacDonald,Bianca Phillips, Vivienne West

Scene 4: Outer Space — Flight Through Danger

The heroes navigate a treacherous asteroid field, dodging massive floating rocks as Han Solo and Chewbacca skillfully pilot the ship. They slip into hyperspace.

As a stunning nebula glows in the distance, Luke and R2-D2 part ways with their friends to seek out Master Yoda. Meanwhile, Han and company head to Cloud City for refuge with Lando Calrissian.

Asteroid Field
Choreographed By Laila North
Open Pointe: Claire Asprey, Stephanie Gauvin, Julie Harris, Melrose Kinney, Lyla MacDonald, Maria Petkova, Celine Porter, Sarah Surette

Hyperspace
Choreographed By Netanya Barkhouse
Pre-Primary (Sunday): Scarlett Gregoire, Drew Lockhart-Connell, Giulietta MacGregor, Islah Webster

A Beautiful Nebula and Parting ways
(Choreographed By Netanya Barkhouse)
Pre-Primary (Saturday): Ivy Bailey, Everleigh Brown, Kate Keough, Micca Jazmin Lozano, Dani MacInnis-Mansfield, Aveline MacQuarrie, Alexis Mogensen, Rozalyn Payne, Hailey Rubanovich, Aaliyah Scott

Join the cast on stage
Little and large alike are welcome to join our dancers on stage and feel what it like looking into the audience while being led through a fun dance to shake out the sitting bugs.

~ Intermission 20 minutes ~

Scene 7: Forest Moon Endor — New Allies

In Endor’s vibrant forest, Princess Leia and Han Solo’s bond deepens amid towering trees. Suddenly, Ewoks emerge—initially cautious but soon embracing C-3PO as a divine figure. Together they share a joyous communal dance. Peace shatters when Darth Vader returns with Stormtroopers, igniting another fierce battle. Luke confronts Vader once more in a powerful dance representing their inner struggle between light and dark. Empress Palpatine tempts Luke to join the dark side with a menacing dance filled with tension and power. When Luke refuses, she attacks him with deadly electrical energy. But Vader redeems himself by turning against Palpatine to save his son—then passes away in Luke’s arms.

Exploring the Forest
Choreographed by Sydney Ewert
Contemporary 2: Sawyer Anthony, Roya Beaudoin, Sadie Corkum, Ella Crowell, Maran Hawley, Ashlynn Huphman, Claire Jennings, Meryk Jess-Wegleitner, Leigh Kennedy, Heidi McFarlane, Norah O'Blenis, Axton Sharpe, Lola Vardy

Is this Love?
Choreographed By: Lily Zimmermann-Shute and Lucy Risser-Milne

Ewoks
Choreographed by: Netanya Barkhouse
Contemporary 1: Emily Burns, Emily Hodges, Mae Lockhart-Connell, Valentina MacGregor, Gabby MacMillan, Aurelia MenGibsonnie, McLean Newman, Nina O'Blenis

Ambush
Choreographed by: Laila North
Grade 4 Tuesday (Storm Troopers): Roya Beaudoin, Sadie Corkum, Ryleigh Cross, Allison Fader, Charlotte Fraser, Vahn Imlay-Price, Claire Jennings, Mylah Jewell, Iris MacKinnon, Piper Martin, Heidi McFarlane, Norah O'Blenis

Light vs Dark side
Choreographed by: Laila North

Empress Palpatine
Choreographed by: Laila North
Intermediate Ballet: Sophia Cudmore, Stephanie Gauvin, Eliza Godfrey,
Heidi Imlay-Price, Odin Jess-Wegleitner, Melrose Kinney,
Ada May Levy and Lucy Richard

Scene 8: Celebration on the Moon — Victory and Hope

The heroes celebrate their hard-won freedom alongside the Ewoks under a starlit sky. Luke gazes upward as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Darth Vader watch over him, a silent blessing from beyond.

Joyous Celebration
Choreographed by: Kara Friesen
Grade 3 Ballet: Meryk Jess-Wegleitner, Caleb Joudrey , Samuel Linton,
Heidi McFarlane, Adeline Pynn-Sponagle, Axton Sharpe

Star Wars GRANDE FINALE
Choreographed by Gaea Jess

Scene 6: Cloud City - The Trap

Han Solo, Chewbacca, and C-3PO meet Lando Calrissian and Princess Leia at a lavish party filled with dazzling entertainment. But joy turns to chaos as Darth Vader, bounty hunters, and Stormtroopers crash the celebration.

Luke arrives as a confident Jedi. A fierce duel ensues between him and Vader, who shocks Luke by revealing he is his father. Refusing to accept this truth, Luke fights on. With Lando’s help, the group narrowly escapes the Empire’s grip once more.

Welcome to Cloud City
Choreographed By Laila North
Grade 5 Ballet: Lillian Cann, Beatrix Gadon, Ward MacDonald, Lyla MacDonald, Milene Martins Magosteiro,
Maria Petkova, Lydia Rainforth, Lucy Risser-Milne, Lily Zimmermann-shute

Young Party Entertainers
Choreographed By Netanya Barkhouse
Primary/Grade 1 (Sunday): Kate Fader, Raiden Jess-Wegleitner,
Mae Lockhart-Connell, Valentina MacGregor, Nina O'Blenis

Lapti-Nek Dancers and Surprise Attack
Choreographed By Laila North
Pre- Pointe: Emmersen Brown, Sadie Corkum, Ella Crowell, Bella Devine,
Rose Hand, Mylah Jewell, Leigh Kennedy, Zélie Lisowski, Taryn McLachlan,
Bianca Phillips, Adeline Pynn-Sponagle, Vivienne West

I am your father
Choreographed By Laila North
Turns, Jumps & Leaps: Sophia Cudmore, Eliza Godfrey, Julie Harris,
Heidi Imlay-Price, Zachariah Imlay-Price, Odin Jess-Wegleitner,
Melrose Kinney, Ward MacDonald, Sarah Surette

Escape
Choreographed by Netany Backhouse
Primary/Grade 1 (Saturday): Charlotte Falcon de Longevialle, Heloise Falcon de Longevialle, Maura Kavanagh,
Lucia MacAdam, Isabella MacNeil, Rae McBain, Alexis Rempel and Hannah Stoddart

A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

A fierce civil war rages between the oppressive Galactic Empire and the brave Rebel Alliance led by Princess Leia. Princess Leia sends two droids on a secret mission to find Obi-Wan Kenobi, a legendary Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan has been quietly watching over Luke Skywalker, the son of a fallen friend and a promising Jedi in his own right.

This is the princess's last hope to rally the forces needed to restore freedom to the galaxy...

A Star Wars Inspired Dance Show

Make This Summer Unforgettable at Cadance Summer Camps 2026!

Give your child the perfect way to stay active, make new friends, build confidence, and have fun all summer long! Our exciting camps are filled with dance, creativity, games, and unforgettable memories in a positive and energetic environment.

2026/2027 Class Registration

Our combination of diverse offerings, expert instruction, and a supportive environment ensures that every student, from the first time dancer to the aspiring performer finds an inclusive place to grow, learn, build confidence and have fun.

Join us to be part of a supportive community with you for every step, a place to grow.

JOIN CADANCE ACADEMY!

Nutcracker Auditions

Cadance Academy invites you to audition for a part in our 2026 Nutcracker show! Please review the information provided below and complete the application by June 28, 2026 so we know who to expect. If you are unable to attend either time you may still submit an application and we will consider you for a part in the Nutcracker. We look forward to seeing everyone at the audition!

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION NOW!

IT'S TIME! ITS' SUMMER SESSION CLASSES!

We’re excited to offer a fun and wonderful selection of summer session classes designed for all ages. Whether you're looking to learn something new, stay active, or just have a great time, there’s something here for everyone!

Cadance Graduating Students

Congratulations to our graduating students, Lily Zimmermann-shute and Maran Hawley. ✨ We are so proud of all they have achieved throughout their journey at Cadance and can’t wait to see where their next chapter takes them.

A special thank you to Staples New Minas

We appreciate all the help we can get and when it comes to delivering or the arts and our community they have been there for us for over a decade. They offer quality services, reliable customer care, and trusted products, making them excellent choices for anyone seeking dependable, community-focused businesses.