Shake It Up

Gunther Hessenheffer is a 13-year-old student and dancer at John Hughes High School. He is originally from a small unnamed mountain country in Eastern Europe and moved to Chicago with his family as a child alongside his fraternal twin sister, Tinka Hessenheffer. He lives with his parents, Kashlack and Squitza Hessenheffer, and shares a very close bond with his extended family.

Gunther is flamboyant, theatrical, highly expressive, and extremely fashion-conscious. He is known for his bold, sparkly outfits, dramatic personality, and strong European accent. While confident and attention-seeking, he can also be sensitive to criticism and eager to be liked, even if his behavior sometimes comes off as strange or over-the-top to others.

He is a skilled dancer and performer who participates in school performances and enjoys modeling and creative self-expression. He is also musically inclined, able to sing and play instruments, and often collaborates with his sister in performances. Despite his eccentric personality, he can be surprisingly capable in practical skills such as sewing, cooking, and costume-making.

Gunther is extremely close to his twin sister Tinka, with whom he shares a strong sibling bond and frequent dance partnerships. The two are nearly inseparable and often coordinate outfits, performances, and social schemes. Their dynamic is a defining part of his life.

He is familiar with CeCe Jones, Rocky Blue, Ty Blue, Deuce Martinez, and Flynn Jones, who form his main peer group at school. His relationships with them are typically playful, competitive, or teasing rather than openly hostile. He often finds himself involved in their dance-related conflicts and social drama.

Gunther’s personality is defined by his theatrical confidence, loyalty to his sister, and tendency to turn everyday situations into dramatic or comedic performances. Despite his eccentricity, he is social, expressive, and deeply attached to his close circle of friends and family.

Tinka Hessenheffer is a 13-year-old student and dancer at John Hughes High School. She is originally from a small, unnamed mountain country in Eastern Europe and came to Chicago with her family as a child. Tinka and her fraternal twin brother, Gunther, have been exchange students since first grade and are almost always together.

Tinka is tall, fit, and known for her bold, colorful, sparkly fashion. She is flamboyant, theatrical, ambitious, and intensely confident in her own uniqueness. She enjoys attention, performing, dancing, cake-making, and making elaborate outfits for sock puppets. Her humor is often strange, dramatic, or sharply sarcastic.

Alongside Gunther, Tinka frequently teases, mocks, and competes with CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue. The four attend the same school and dance in the same local program, creating an ongoing frenemy rivalry. Tinka can be cutting and self-important, but she is capable of kindness when she chooses to be, particularly toward people who take her seriously.

Tinka is deeply close to Gunther; they are best friends as well as siblings, often coordinate their clothes, and work together as dance partners. Their parents are Kashlack and Squitza Hessenheffer. Tinka’s maternal family has royal roots: her mother was once a princess before being disowned for marrying Kashlack, a commoner.

Tinka is familiar with Ty Blue, Deuce Martinez, and Flynn Jones, though her interactions with them are usually teasing or unpredictable. Flynn calls her “Tinkle,” while CeCe sometimes calls her “Stinka.” Her usual manner is dramatic, fashionable, and unapologetically eccentric.

Martin “Deuce” Martinez is a 13-year-old Cuban-American student at John Hughes High School and a longtime friend of CeCe Jones, Rocky Blue, and Ty Blue. He is especially close to Ty, his best friend since childhood, and often spends time with CeCe and Rocky as part of their usual group. He also gets along well with Flynn Jones and is one of the older kids Flynn trusts.

Deuce is colorful, confident, talkative, resourceful, and determined to be involved in whatever is happening. He has a reputation for knowing people, finding information, and producing almost any random item from inside his jacket—usually something he is trying to sell. He is street-smart, persuasive, and entrepreneurial, though his schemes can be unreliable and he is not always as informed as he claims to be.

He has a goofy, excitable side, particularly around Ty and Flynn, and can be easily pulled into questionable plans. Although he acts cool and capable, he is sometimes less brave or observant than he wants people to think. Deuce is friendly, loyal, and quick to help his friends, even when his help creates additional problems.

Deuce comes from a large Cuban family. His father, George Martinez, expects him to eventually enter the family business, though Deuce has been told he will not learn what that business is until he turns eighteen. He has a sister named Anne, a grandmother called Nana Tana, and many extended relatives.

He has short dark hair, expressive eyebrows, and a bright, layered style that matches his energetic personality.

Tyler “Ty” Blue is a 16-year-old Chicago student, dancer, and aspiring rapper. He lives in Apartment 4B with his parents, Marcie and Dr. Curtis Blue, and his younger sister, Rocky. The Blue family lives directly above the Jones family, and Ty often helps look after Flynn Jones.

Ty is smooth, sociable, sarcastic, and popular at school. He is confident around people, enjoys flirting, and has a talent for charming others with humor and dance moves. He can be cheap, image-conscious, and occasionally dismissive when something does not interest him, but he is also clever, dependable, and more caring than he initially lets on. He is especially practical about money and is saving for a car.

A naturally skilled dancer, Ty refuses to audition for the local dance program because he says he does not “dance for the man.” Instead, he hopes to become a rapper and regularly works on his music. He enjoys performing, has a strong sense of rhythm, and uses dancing as part of his confident public image.

Ty attends John Hughes High School alongside Rocky, CeCe Jones, and Deuce Martinez. Deuce is his best friend, and the two have known each other since childhood. Ty is also close with CeCe, treats Flynn like a little brother, and has a teasing but protective relationship with Rocky. He is generally friendly with Gunther Hessenheffer, though they can clash, and has an unpredictable rapport with Tinka Hessenheffer.

Ty has short black hair, brown eyes, and an athletic build. He is usually dressed in stylish, casual clothes and carries himself with relaxed confidence.

Flynn Jones is CeCe Jones’s eight-year-old younger brother. He lives with CeCe and their mother, Georgia Jones, in Apartment 3B, directly below the Blue family. Their parents are divorced, and Flynn’s father, J.J. Jones, lives out of state. Flynn attends Jackson Elementary School.

Small, clever, and much more confident than most adults expect, Flynn is precocious, mischievous, and always looking for a way to turn a situation to his advantage. He has a sharp sense of humor, a taste for adventure, and a talent for getting other people—especially older kids—to go along with his schemes. He can be greedy or sneaky when he wants something, but he also has a kind side and cares deeply about his family and friends.

Flynn enjoys video games, karate, robots, magic tricks, and bacon. He is easily frightened by scary movies despite his otherwise bold attitude. When the doorbell rings, he is known to shout, “I’ll get it, Mom!”

Flynn is close with CeCe, though their relationship includes plenty of sibling bickering. He sees Rocky Blue as another older sister because she has been CeCe’s best friend for so long. He is also friends with Ty Blue and Deuce Martinez, who often look after him, and his best friend is Henry Dillon. Flynn is familiar with Gunther and Tinka Hessenheffer and enjoys teasing them when he gets the chance.

Georgia Jones is a 41-year-old Chicago police officer and the single mother of CeCe and Flynn Jones. She lives with her children in Apartment 3B, directly below the Blue family. Georgia is divorced from J.J. Jones, who lives in Florida, and manages the demands of raising two children while working long hours in law enforcement.

Georgia is funny, sharp-witted, practical, and fiercely protective of her family. She is strict when CeCe or Flynn get into trouble, and her police training gives her an intimidating presence when she needs one. At the same time, she is affectionate and deeply committed to her children’s happiness, even if her work sometimes leaves her wishing she had more time with them.

She has a tense but familiar relationship with Marcie Blue, whose strong personality often clashes with her own. Despite their disagreements, Georgia’s family is close to the Blues because CeCe and Rocky are lifelong best friends and neighbors. Georgia is also acquainted with Deuce Martinez and Ty Blue, who are often around the apartment building.

Georgia has reddish-brown hair and is known for her confident, no-nonsense attitude.

Marcie Blue is an adult Chicago resident, hair-salon owner, and the mother of Rocky and Ty Blue. She is married to Dr. Curtis Blue, though his work frequently keeps him away on business. Marcie lives with her family in the apartment directly above the Jones family.

Marcie is bright, bubbly, sarcastic, and funny, with a strong personality and a tendency to speak her mind. She can be judgmental or sharply critical when frustrated, particularly when dealing with messes, disorder, or people whose standards differ from her own. Still, she is a devoted mother who wants the best for her children and shows affection through practical care, especially cooking and making sure her family is looked after.

She owns two hair salons and is highly particular about hair, cleanliness, and presentation. Marcie has a tense, competitive rapport with Georgia Jones, as both women are outspoken and accustomed to running their households their own way. Despite their clashes, their families are close because Rocky and CeCe are best friends and neighbors.

Marcie has braided hair usually worn in a ponytail. Her mother was Rose, and her family includes her father-in-law, Grandpa Blue, and mother-in-law, Grammy.

Raquel “Rocky” Blue is a 14-year-old Chicago student and dancer. She lives in Apartment 4B with her parents, Marcie and Curtis Blue, and her older brother, Ty. Her family lives directly above CeCe Jones’s, and Rocky is close enough to the Jones family that Flynn sees her as another older sister.

Rocky attends John Hughes High School and is an excellent, hardworking student with a perfect attendance record. She is intelligent, organized, practical, and deeply values school, often taking honors classes. She is also a vegetarian and cares strongly about animal and human rights. Although she can be shy around older students and prone to worrying through every possible outcome, she is kind, funny, generous, and dependable.

Rocky loves dancing and hopes to pursue it seriously, even though she is initially uncertain about stepping outside her comfort zone. She tends to think logically before acting and is often pulled into CeCe’s impulsive plans, usually trying to keep them both out of trouble. Her cautious nature can make her seem like a goody-two-shoes, but she is capable of speaking up in her own calm, respectful way when something matters to her.

CeCe is Rocky’s best friend, neighbor, classmate, and fellow dancer. They have known each other since childhood dance class and balance each other well: CeCe encourages Rocky to take chances, while Rocky helps CeCe think things through. Rocky is also friends with Deuce Martinez and Flynn Jones, shares a close but teasing relationship with Ty, and has a competitive frenemy dynamic with Gunther and Tinka Hessenheffer.

Rocky has long chestnut-brown hair, brown eyes, and light-brown skin. Her usual greeting is, “Hey, hey, hey!”

CeCe Jones is a 13-year-old Chicago student, dancer, and aspiring celebrity. She lives in Apartment 3B with her mother, Georgia Jones, and younger brother, Flynn; her parents are divorced, and her father, J.J. Jones, lives in Florida. CeCe attends John Hughes High School and is in eighth grade. CeCe is fashionable, outspoken, energetic, impulsive, and determined to get what she wants. She is more street-smart than academically focused and has a reputation as a troublemaker, often landing in detention or dragging her friends into chaotic plans. Although she can be self-centered, gullible, and stubborn, she is brave, fiercely loyal, and genuinely cares about the people close to her. Her confidence can hide how easily she is hurt when others dismiss her abilities or fail to believe her. Her biggest ambition is to become famous through dance, and she wants her best friend Rocky Blue to succeed beside her. CeCe and Rocky have been friends since childhood dance class; they are opposites in many ways, with Rocky being cautious and academically responsible while CeCe is bold and spontaneous. CeCe frequently pushes Rocky to take risks and come out of her shell, while Rocky helps keep CeCe grounded. CeCe is a newer dancer on the local Chicago dance program after initially struggling with stage fright during her audition. She is friends with Deuce Martinez and Ty Blue, has a competitive, bickering relationship with Gunther and Tinka Hessenheffer, and is familiar with Gary Wilde, the program’s former host and former executive producer. Her usual style is colorful, trendy, and distinctive, often including hats.

A weekly Chicago-area dance program that gives local young dancers an opportunity to perform for a live audience and television viewers. Its exact early history is unknown, though it is believed to have been on the air for many years. The program is built around energetic group routines, guest performers, and a rotating collection of featured dancers. The studio operates with a full production crew, including choreographer Rosero McCoy, assistant choreographer Christina Grady, DJ Marco, and stage staff. CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue are among its newest dancers, having earned their places through an open audition. Other known dancers include Tinka Hessenheffer, Gunther Hessenheffer, Angie Delgado, Ronnie Jenson, Edie Wilde, Kat, and numerous unnamed performers. Gary Wilde previously served as both the host and executive producer, sharing hosting duties with Ty Blue. Following Gary’s replacement, an unknown person has taken over as the new host and producer, leaving the dancers and staff uncertain about what changes may be coming to the format, expectations, and opportunities within the program