A bevy of young ballerinas will be transformed into gumdrops, gobstoppers, golden tickets, bubble gum and chocolate bars in an inventive new adaption of Roald Dahl’s famous book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” set to be staged this weekend at Vashon High School.

The production is the brainchild of Cheryl Krown, artistic director of the Vashon Dance Academy, who is beloved by her students and hailed by their parents for her inclusive approach to developing new works for young dancers.

“The amazing thing is that people think Cheryl tells them what to do and they go out there and dance, and it’s not like that at all,” said Jim Westcott, who is the father of a young dancer in the company and is also appearing in the production in the pivotal role of Grandpa Joe. “Cheryl has an outline of what she wants, but it’s really a great collaborative effort between the girls. Everyone has a voice.”

Krown, 52, is a 34-year teaching veteran who moves with the lithe grace of someone much younger than her years. She has a teenager’s hairstyle as well — a shock of blonde hair that spills down over her shoulders. A smile blooms brightly on her face as she describes the way she starts from scratch with her students each year to create world-premiere works.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be Krown’s 14th annual show for Vashon Dance Academy. In the past, her adaptations for the dance company have included such classic tales as Peter Pan, Cinderella and Pinocchio.

“It takes a lot to go about it this way,” Krown said, as she took time out from a hectic rehearsal schedule to enjoy the sunshine at an outside table at Café Luna.

But she said the results of each of her collaborations with her students have been joyous, and well worth the extra effort.

“When they are onstage, they are totally comfortable in their characters,” she said. “They have a personal investment in carrying the story forward.”

Krown consulted a thick binder to explain how “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was created by blending elements of Dahl’s story with 55 pieces of music and hundreds of ideas from her corps of dancers and fellow Dance Academy teachers, Julie Gibson and Françoise Serre y Berga.

Older girls in the cast helped decide the show’s story line and characters — an imaginative process that has resulted in dancers portraying not only human characters but also such things as a chocolate river, edible flowers, fizzy lifting drinks and a glass elevator.

Even the youngest dancers in the show had a say in determining what music would be used in the production.

“We go over the music with the younger kids,” Krown said. “We asked them, ‘what sounds like a gumdrop?’”

It’s an inclusive approach that many dancers in the company find inspirational.

“It makes it mean more to us,” said Summer Peet, 15, who has been Krown’s student for the past five years.

Another teenaged dancer, Allison Spencer, 13, agreed, and added that she has seen shy dancers blossom under Krown’s tutelage.

“I know a lot of people who are really quiet, but when it comes to show time, they speak up and have really good ideas,” she said.

Krown is also known for involving parents — both on and off stage — in her productions.

Jenna Riggs, a graphic designer and children’s book illustrator, was recruited to design the set for this year’s show, and a group of “dancing dads” —local men with daughters in the production —will portray Oompa Loompas, the fierce chocolate factory workers.

Several other Island performers — Martha Enson, Arlette Moody, Steffon Moody, Claudia Gross-Shader and Kevin Joyce — are also in the show and are parents of dancers.

But as in past productions, the real stars of the production will be Krown’s students — a group of 120 young dancers, making up two separate casts of the show. The all-important roles of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka will be split between Leanne Anderson, Chloe Zimber, Becky Synder and Chelsea Wagner.

Krown, for her part, is clearly excited to see the curtain rise on her latest production.

“When you tap into dancers’ enthusiasm, they are willing to work their hearts out,” she said.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23. Performances take place at the Vashon High School theater. Advance tickets, $12 for adults and $10 for anyone 18 and younger, are for sale at Books by the Way. Tickets may also be available at the door, but purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended because most shows sell out.