Yellowknife (May 13/05) - Coats, wheelbarrows, ladders and parents line the walls of ecole St. Joseph school's mini-gym.

Twirling bodies deftly dodge the obstructions in the tight space Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance has secured for the first dress rehearsal of their premier show, scheduled for May 20 and 21.

The gym was the best space the troop could line up for their Sunday rehearsal.

"We rehearse pretty much anywhere we can," said Karen Johnson, who, along with fellow dancer Darha Phillpot, founded the group a year ago. "If someone wants to build us a studio then that's cool."

Even with a lack of regular rehearsal space, the duo has managed to choreograph five pieces for the 14 dancers and four young apprentices in the company.

One might wonder why they put up with such a strange array of equipment in their practice space.

In fact, the wheelbarrows and ladders are props dancers interact with in one piece, inspired by the relationship between humans and their tools.

"People who are very adept with tools, it's like they're dancing through their day-to-day life," Phillpot said.

Each dance has a very different inspiration, with its own mood and objective, from the understanding of "time and space" to the essence of "revolution."

The Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance saga began last September, with the aid of an NWT Arts Council grant, at the company's first audition.

"It was very difficult because about 50 people came out," Johnson said.

"We all have different (dance) backgrounds."

The two founders grew up in Yellowknife before training in the south.

They say the dance community has grown since their youth and they tapped into that talent to form their company.

"There's an enormous wealth of gifted dancers here," Phillpot said.

They use other forms of Northern art in the performance as well, including music by Chic Callas, sculptures from Jen Walden, and slide projections courtesy of Tracey Bryant.

Though they are putting a lot of time and effort into the troupe, Johnson and Phillpot have still not quit their day jobs.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.