Naperville native Jordan “J.Ro” Ordonez was pursuing a successful career as a pharmacist when he realized his heart was somewhere else.

That longing led him to become a professional dancer two years ago, and this month he’ll be showcasing his talents as an ensemble member in the cast of Music Theater Works’ production of “Pippin” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

“This is my first production,” Ordonez said of the show, which runs through June 25. He decided to audition when he learned they were looking for more experienced contemporary dancers.

“I always wanted to get into musical theater because I had loved to sing growing up and dancing was also a part of that role,” Ordonez said.

In addition to singing as part of the ensemble, he will be doing a lot of the more acrobatic routines, taking advantage of his background in hip hop and house dance.

Ordonez said he relishes the opportunity to expand his performance skills in different areas.

“I express myself physically a lot when I’m on the stage,” he said. “It’s been really great to explore a lot more vocal and facial expressions that can enhance my role.”

The production will also be taking advantage of Ordonez’s hair. While some cast members have agreed to dye their hair bright colors, his long locks will be showcased instead.

“I’ve been growing it out for five years so it’s down to my back (and) eccentric enough that I did not need to dye it,” he said. “They do plan on putting in some foam balls in a ponytail so it looks futuristic.”

Ordonez had been working as a pharmacist at Walmart for five years when, in 2021, “I decided to take a leap,” he said. “Now I’m a full-time dancer and dance teacher. … Declining an offer with really good income at Walmart pharmacy was definitely something that was not an easy decision.”

It was partly motivated by Ordonez being diagnosed with clinical depression toward the end of his time at pharmacy school. He realized that no matter how much the condition affected him, he never missed the dance practice sessions he did on the side.

“It was something that was there for me when I couldn’t be there for myself,” he said. “Starting as a freelance dancer and dance teacher was definitely something that I did for myself and my wellness and joy.”

He teaches at Dovetail Studios in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood and with Creative Netwerk, a nonprofit organization that offers residencies in the Chicago Public Schools. In addition, Ordonez is starting his fifth season as a dancer with the Chicago Bulls’ 312 Crew, performs with Movement Revolution Dance Crew and works as a freelance dancer.

Ordonez started dancing when he was in his late teens in 2008, initially with a church youth group dance company. He admitted his motivation initially was more social.

“It got me a lot of attention with the girls that I had crushes on,” he said. “After that, I fell in love with the people that I was dancing with and with the art and the culture of hip hop.”

That’s why he continued studying hip hop and street dance.

“The thing that I love about hip hop and street dance is that the training is at people’s houses and at parks,” Ordonez said. He has also trained in choreography and concert dance at several studios: Visceral Dance Studio, Dance Connection, and The Puzzle Box Dance Studio.

To further expand his skill set, he is beginning improv classes at the Annoyance Theatre and acting classes at the Black Box Theatre.

And Ordonez recently signed with the Rock Talent Agency. “My agent has been showing me the ropes of the industry,” he said. “They mainly are sending me out to commercials, TV and film.”

For now, though, he is concentrating on helping make magic in “Pippin.”

For more information about the show or to make reservations, go to musictheaterworks.com.

Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun and Pioneer Press.