As ExHaLTT Performing Arts Academy prepares to begin a new season of classes, the Elizabethtown nonprofit invites the community to a free performance of "Disney's Newsies JR." The show, featuring students who participated in ExHaLTT's Summer Musical Theatre Intensive, will be performed at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Elizabethtown Area High School, 600 E. High St.

The cast includes 47 students ranging in age from 8 to 18. "It's a 60-minute production, with no intermission," explained Jill Thomasson, founder and artistic director of ExHaLTT.

"Disney's Newsies JR." tells the true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, who rally together to strike against unfair working conditions.

"This is just an awesome musical with an inspiring message and lots of energy and great characters," Thomasson shared. "The kids are super enthusiastic about this show."

"Disney's Newsies JR." is sponsored by John Smith Real Estate Group, which allows ExHaLTT to offer the performance for free, Thomasson said.

As ExHaLTT gears up for classes that will begin on Monday, Sept. 9, the organization will host an open house on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 18 N. Market St., Elizabethtown.

"People will have the opportunity to register for classes, meet our board members, see the space and enjoy light refreshments," Thomasson said. "Staff from A Dancer's Pointe will be on hand with dance apparel and shoes for sizing, and we'll have videos rolling to show what we do at ExHaLTT."

ExHaLTT is a faith-based nonprofit that takes its name from its tagline: Expressing Hearts and Lives To Touch. The organization offers classes for people of all ages in dance genres including creative movement, tap, modern and hip-hop, as well as fitness classes, musical theater courses and a social dance series.

The social dance series will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with country line dancing lessons offered from 8 to 9 p.m. for eight weeks. The first session of lessons is for beginners, while an intermediate/advanced session will be held later in the winter. "We're going to be doing other social dance nights, including Wednesdays, when we'll do foxtrot, rhumba and swing, and Thursdays, with salsa and bachata," Thomasson said, noting that details of starting dates are still being finalized. While country line dancing is open to people of all ages, the other social dance classes are for adults.

"Engaging in movement and interacting with others are just two things that make these classes super fun," Thomasson said. "It's a great way to stay or get healthy, meet and interact with new people and dive in to try something new. It's a way to engage your brain cells and your body all at the same time."

When Thomasson founded ExHaLTT, she wanted to focus on community outreach as well as performance, and she has created a partnership with Cornerstone Youth Center in Elizabethtown, where ExHaLTT staff and students will teach hip-hop workshops in September.

"This is our first community outreach of this type," Thomasson said. "We want to engage with the community and give back. That's one of our tenets at ExHaLTT." She is also currently researching an overseas mission trip for the organization to take next summer.

Although ExHaLTT charges for its classes, scholarships are available to students in need. "Last year, we had 10 to 15 kids on scholarship with us," Thomasson said. "We want to continue to increase those numbers and increase the donations that allow us to do that." Scholarship applications for this coming season are due by Monday, Aug. 12.

For more information on ExHaLTT, visit http://www.exhalttdancecompany.org.