The Without Shoes Modern Dance Company will present its annual holiday performance of The Polar Express, which tells a children’s Christmas story based on the renowned book by award-winning author Chris Van Allsburg, at 6 pm Friday, December 12, at Rockford College’s Maddox Theatre, 5050 East State Street.

This feel-good holiday tradition is perfect for families of all ages to share; children are welcome and encouraged to attend. “The performance is just under an hour,” explains Artistic Director Maria Castello. “And it really is a great way to introduce kids as young as three to dance and theater in a live performance setting.”

In addition to the public performance, the company performs for school groups at 9:30 am and 11 am Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 10, 11 & 12. Group tickets for these shows are only $4 per person.

“We try, as an organization, to expose as many school children as we can to the arts,” Castello explains, “and this performance is our primary way to reach them. Plus, The Polar Express is such a heart-warming story to brighten their holidays.”

Castello, a native of Argentina, also creates a performance in Spanish, which is slated for 9:30 am Friday, December 12.

All performances are located at Rockford College’s Maddox Theatre, 5050 East State Street, in Rockford. Tickets for the public performance are available in advance ($8 per person) at A Movable Feast and Wonderland Books within the Edgebrook shopping center or at the door ($10 per person). Group sales for the school performances are available by contacting Castello at 815.962.0954.

For more information, contact Maria Castello at WithoutShoesMDC@hotmail.com or call 815.962.0954.