They are bruised, swollen, achy and tired, but loved every minute of it.

That’s what happens to dancers when a dream choreographer breezes into town with skills to share, as one did last weekend to teach 12 Whidbey Island Dance Theater dancers some new moves.

Dancers from the company auditioned for international choreographer Aaron Cash on Friday for a new piece he is creating especially for them. Eleven dancers were cast, with one dancer taking the position of understudy.

The piece, entitled “The Reckoning,” is set to the song “Death is the Road to Awe” by Clint Mausell from the film “The Fountain.”

Cash said the dance follows the travails of two sisters who are lost between two worlds.

“The story is about self-sacrifice and redemption,” Cash said.

“The other dancers represent the forces of good and evil that surround them.”

The piece will be one of three performed for adjudicators in February.

If chosen, the dancers will perform it in Provo, Utah at the Regional Dance America/Pacific festival in May.

For that festival, dancers must perform for hundreds of other Regional Dance America dancers, teachers, artistic directors and choreographers.

Islanders will have a chance to see “The Reckoning” at Whidbey Island Dance Theater’s contemporary dance show “Other Moves,” March 21 and 22 at South Whidbey High School Auditorium and at thecompany’s annual Dance and Choreography Showcase April 24 and 25, also at the high school.

After dancing for almost 18 hours straight this weekend, Cash liked what he saw. But he said that was nothing new.

“I was impressed with this company when I saw them in my class at the festival in California last year,” Cash said.

“There were about 20 companies present and out of all my classes they were by far my favorite. We just clicked like friends making a connection. I was so impressed with their technique and how dedicated they all are for such young women,” he added.

Cash said he liked the way his choreography looked on these dancers. Artistic director Susan Sandri contacted Cash almost immediately upon the company’s return from the festival and asked him if he would like to choreograph a piece expressly for the company dancers.

Cash was more than happy to do it.

“Everyone was so gracious to my wife and myself. It makes it easy to create; it’s a very stimulating and artistic environment,” he said.

Although Cash had to leave on Monday, he hopes to get back in February to critique the work for the company.

Originally from Brisbane, Australia, Cash’s career as a professional dancer and choreographer has led to a colorful array of jobs.

He was pop star Cher’s lead dancer for 10 years, was chosen by the great American choreographer Twyla Tharp as her personal pas de deux partner and was added to the world tour of the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov, among a long list of other outstanding entertainment credits.

The dancers cast in “The Reckoning” are Amy Arand, Misha Flem, Avery Grant, Arryn Davis, Jachen Mackner, Elliauna Madsen, Raelani Mclean Kesler, Julian Nolen, Emily Rookstool, Grace Swanson and understudy, Katie Alice Rookstool.