From Ballard High Scool

The Ballard High School Drama Department under the direction of Shawn M. Riley has been selected to perform in the world’s largest and most prestigious arts festival in the world, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as part of the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF).

Each August, Edinburgh, Scotland becomes the most magical and exciting place on earth as performing artists from all over the world come to Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The whole city becomes a stage and visitors can view performances everywhere from playgrounds to conference rooms to city parks to churches. The Fringe Festival includes over 1,800 different performances of music, theatre, dance and comedy during its three week run. Ballard High School students will perform Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World” which will be showcased at the Fringe Festival.

The award-winning Ballard High School drama program, recognized for its entertaining and innovative productions, was selected by the AHSTF Board of Advisors to represent the United States as part of the 2013 AHSTF program. The Board reviews all completed applications and recommendations and chooses only 40 high schools in the US to participate.

“This is an amazing honor for Ballard High School and for the students to participate. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience for them as they perform onstage in one of the largest festivals in the world,” remarks Shawn Riley, Director of Theatre at Ballard High School.

The cost for the trip is being funded by the students’ families, and funds raised directly by the students and Performing Arts Booster Club. Students, faculty and parents have been fundraising all year long to pay as much of the trip as possible – everything from auctions to car washes.

Ballard High School’s Music and Drama programs are fortunate to have a supportive parent community – the Performing Arts Booster Club – who support the programs with financial and volunteer assistance. Fundraising activities continue throughout the year to support the trip to Scotland, including a final summer performance of “Songs for a New World”, at Ballard High School’s Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center, August 9th at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com or at Ballard High School starting at 6:30 p.m. the night of the performance.

Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $15 for adults. All ticket proceeds will benefit the student trip. Visit www.ballardperformingarts.org for more information.

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