Matthew Sparks, in midair in top photo, will be featured in David Hochoy's new piece, "I Never Danced for My Father." (Photo provided by Dance Kaleidoscope)

"I Never Danced for My Father," including excerpts from an interview with Matthew's father, Steve Sparks Sr. (Photo provided by Dance Kaleidoscope)

If you had a young son and wondered what he would be when he grew up, what line of work would you fantasize about? Doctor? Lawyer? Firefighter?

Chances are that "professional dancer" wouldn't make the list, and yet, plenty of male professional dancers work in most large American cities, including Indianapolis.

To close out this season at Dance Kaleidoscope, David Hochoy, artistic director of the contemporary-dance company, has created a piece all about the men in the company and their fathers.

In "I Never Danced for my Father," performances by Tanner Hronek, Kenoth Shane Patton, George Salinas and Matthew Sparks will dovetail with clips of interviews with their fathers. Hochoy conducted most of the interviews.

Before delving into the piece, though, he first talked to the dancers.

"He did take an interest in how enthusiastic we were about it, and whether we thought our dads would participate at all," said Sparks, a Butler University graduate in his third season as a DK company member. "If we had all griped a little bit..... maybe the whole thing might never have gotten off the ground."

Sparks, a Louisville native, said he was "actually very excited about the piece," but he wasn't sure how his dad would react.

As things turned out, Steve Sparks Sr. -- who lives in Sellersburg, and works as a tester for a factory that makes parts for the military -- agreed right away. Hochoy asked him to drive to Indianapolis for an interview.

"I told him, 'I hope you edit this,'." Steve said, "because I probably said stupid stuff.' I was a nervous wreck."

Hochoy focused on how Steve felt about Matthew's profession of choice. Was he proud of his son?

"I have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm very proud of him. When you tell people, 'Yeah, my son is a professional dancer,' they look at you, 'What?'

"But Matt was doing shows here locally in Louisville when he was still in high school. He would audition for 'West Side Story,' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' and 'Oklahoma!' They had all these big dance numbers and he would literally tear it up, loving it.

"When he started auditioning for schools, apparently they liked what he could do, and he got scholarships. I said, 'Hey, if that's what you want to do, do it. Follow your dream.'

"Most of us have to end up in jobs that we're not that crazy about, but that's what we do. If you're willing to put the work in and enjoy it, go for it."

Photo provided by Steve Sparks Sr.

'Fathers & Sons'

What: A Dance Kaleidoscope presentation, featuring "I Never Danced for My Father," by David Hochoy.

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. May 16 and 17, 2:30 p.m. May 18.

Where: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St.

Tickets: $20-$36, with discounts for students and seniors. For more information, call (317) 635-5252 or go to www.irtlive.com