The beloved 1980s hit “Flashdance” has been adapted from the screen to the stage and will be settling in Chicago for two weeks this August. “Flashdance Š—ê The Musical,” which remains largely faithful to the classic film, will thrill long-term fans and newcomers alike. The DePaulia had the privilege to speak with the talented and multi-faceted performer, Katelyn Prominski, who, as a member of the ensemble, takes on several different characters in this new and vivacious show.

“The story is similar to the movie,” Prominski said as she described the production. “It starts with Alex Owens and she is a steel worker by day and a dancer by night. She wants much more; she wants to become a professional dancer and she has all of the odds stacked against her. She continues on her own journey and on her own path she finds love. She doesn’t want handouts from anybody; she is a very strong-willed girl. She ends up, in the end of the movie, surpassing all of those issues that she had.”

Though the production remains faithful to the film, it is also unique in its new medium.

“There are some extra characters in the show to highlight her journey,” Prominski said. “But it is fairly close to the movie. There are definitely those iconic songs and the water scene is in the show.”

When it comes to her own role within the production, Prominski has the opportunity to explore several different personas.

“I am a member of the ensemble,” Prominski said. “So I have several different roles, but my favorite role is being her ideal ballerina. I am the lead ballerina in the show and I come out in the beginning and do a little dance and she is kind of in awe of what I am doing and she wants to look like that. She tries to do what I’m doing.”

Prominski adores the variation that her role brings.

“I’m singing, I’m doing free dancing, I’m doing pole dancing and then I’m also doing ballet,” Prominski said, laughing.

Dancing has played a deep and poignant role in Prominski’s life since she was very young.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do was dance,” Prominski said. “I’ve been dancing since I was five years old and I was strictly ballet up until 2011 or 2012 when I retired from ballet.”

During her life, Prominski’s impenetrable talent has been met with a medical challenge that drew incredible and selfless advocacy into her life as well.

“The reason I retired was because I was really sick and I couldn’t dance anymore,” Prominski said. “I had been so sick with diabetes for two years. It had gone undetected and so I thought I was done dancing. Finally, once I found out my diagnosis and I got everything under control I realized I could dance again.”

Though her diagnosis is recent, Prominski has proved a tour de force when it comes to advocacy, fundraising and spreading awareness about diabetes.

“When I moved to New York, I wanted to get involved in some way and so I joined a group at the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation called the YLC,” Prominski said. “We raise a lot of money and plan a lot of events for the 21 to 40 age range. Last year, I walked in the JDRF walk for a cure and raised more money than anybody in the YLC had raised for it. We’ve done several other events to raise money and awareness for the disease.”

Prominski is brining an unparalleled vigor to diabetes advocacy. She is the kind of talented, generous and spirited person that is difficult to describe with a word other than “impressive.”

Though her love of ballet runs deep, the careers of all ballerinas are swift and limited with a brief window of opportunity. Though there is some sadness in this, it has also led Katelyn to the exciting and ever-evolving world of theater.

“I was beginning to age out of it,” Prominski said. “And so I wanted to find another thing that I could do that would still be performing and dancing and that’s what led me to audition for Broadway shows.”

Prominski represents a special voice for performers everywhere. When asked for advice, she brought her words of wisdom full circle to the production that is gracing Chicago this month.

“It’s kind of like with the show ‘Flashdance,'” Prominski said. “You just have to really follow your dreams no matter what they say. You have just got to believe in yourself and believe that you deserve it.”

Prominski’s exuberance and insight are catching and, surely, they will bring something special to this new theatrical feat.

“Just have fun,” Prominski said with a smile. “We’re all having a blast onstage together Š—ê just enjoy. It’s a lot of fun.”

“Flashdance Š—ê The Musical”will be at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre until Aug. 18.