CHRIS AMMANN/STAFF PHOTO Samantha Pollino, 11, of Hampstead practices her dance during a class at State of the Arts Dance Center in Westminster. Pollino will star in a Broadway musical called "Hot Feet" this spring.

At just 11 years old, Samantha Pollino is already something of a seasoned veteran in the world of dance.

She's been dancing for eight years in musical theater and for special events like the recent Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Hampstead sixth-grader with the diminutive nickname "Peanut" has received training at prestigious dance studios in Los Angeles and New York.

She's taken extensive classes in ballet, pointe, jazz and, her favorite, hip-hop. While in Maryland, she dances at State of the Arts Dance Center in Westminster.

And now, Samantha is poised take over the world of Broadway.

She recently won a coveted role in "Hot Feet," a new Maurice Hines-conceived musical centered on the tunes of Earth, Wind & Fire.

It's set for an April 18 debut at Broadway's Hilton Theatre, but a sneak-peek will be available via a pre-Broadway run at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre starting March 21.

Samantha first auditioned for the musical last summer and had been eagerly waiting casting ever since.

"It's a great cast and I love the role," said Samantha, who's currently in New York City for rehearsals. "It's funny, at times sad and the dancing is just the best."

"Hot Feet" is a loose retelling of the original Hans Christian Andersen tale "The Red Shoes" about a girl who can't stop dancing when she wears mysterious red shoes.

That story was also the basis of a 1948 film of the same name, as well as a failed 1993 Broadway musical.

But "Hot Feet" puts an urban twist on that tale. In place of ballet, the dance is high-spirited jazz and hip-hop.

Hines directed and choreographed the musical, which has music and lyrics by Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, including six new songs.

The Faustian tale, penned by Heru Ptah (best known for the book "A Hip-Hop Story"), revolves around a girl's quest to become a talented dancer.

She comes to possess a pair of red shoes (the shoemaker is really the devil in disguise) that ends up controlling the girl's fate.

Samantha plays Jamie, a young girl also transfixed by the shoes. Her role will likely be split between herself and another young actress, as is the usual procedure for children's roles to allow for ample time with a tutor.

"It's been a really good first experience," Samantha said. "Every day I go in, have fun and get to do this wonderful choreography."

And Samantha has to hold her own in a cast of seasoned Broadway stars and dancers. Vivian Nixon, a member of the Alvin Ailey II dance company, has the starring role as Kalimba.

Other cast members include Keith David (Tony-nominated for "Jelly's Last Jam"), Michael Balderrama ("Movin' Out," "Urban Cowboy") and Tony-winner Ann Duquesnay ("Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk").

She may be in the youngest member of the highly acclaimed cast, but Samantha said she has been welcomed from the very start.

"Everyone in the show has been really nice and were really humble," she said. "So, I'm not really nervous. I'm doing what I love with some great people."

Samantha and her mother Lisa Pollino are currently looking around for a sublet in New York City. Samantha said she likes the city because of its nonstop atmosphere.

"We are excited for her, overwhelmingly excited," Lisa Pollino said. "My husband and I saw it as, she's come this far and how can we not do it?

"We have to give her the opportunity."

Samantha said she loves the music in the show, which includes well-known Earth, Wind & Fire tunes like "Boogie Wonderland" and "September."

But fittingly, her favorite song is one that could describe the up-and-comer's fast approach to stardom-"Shining Star."

"I definitely want to be a star of stage and screen," she said. "I'm addicted to the stage because it's live.

"People have said, 'Everything is happening so fast for you.' But, what I want to happen is happening. Now that I'm here, it is exciting."

Reach staff writer Jordan Bartel at 410-857-7862 or bartelj@lcniofmd.com.

If you go

"Hot Feet" a new musical, running at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre March 21 through April 9.

Performances:

8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

2 p.m. Saturdays

2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets range from $41.25 - $81.25 and may be purchased through telecharge.com or by calling 800-447-7400.

National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (between 13th and 14th Streets).

For more information, call 202-628-6161.

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