The Northwest School of the Arts cast, and crew will present their production of A Chorus Line at festival in Indiana once the school secures the $65,000 needed to attend The International Thespian Festival.
Northwest School of the Arts is one of eleven schools to have been invited to perform on the main stage at the nation’s leading high school theatre festival. The International Thespian Festival, (ITF) produced by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), celebrates student achievement in the performing arts. It’s expected that more than 5,000 high school drama students and their teachers will come together for a weeklong immersion in workshops; interaction with colleges, industry leaders, and Broadway professionals; and opportunities to be inspired by the best high school theatre in the nation. The 57th event this year takes place June 22-27 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington.
Northwest School of the Arts has embarked on a quest to raise funds required to make the trip, and has produced a short video appeal:
“Our Northwest School of the Arts Thespian group #5634 are passionate about our program and motivated to move mountains,” said Melody Sears, Principal. “They don’t let obstacles get in their way, but instead they simply see it as a challenge to overcome. This is their dream, and they will not let anything stand between them and achieving this dream.”
This current production of A Chorus Line is directed by Tony Award winner Corey Mitchell. In 2013, Corey Mitchell won the first Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and directed Northwest School of the Arts’ production of “The Color Purple,” which was also invited to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. That trip to the International Thespian Festival was the subject of the documentary “Purple Dreams,” about the process of producing a musical version of “The Color Purple,” which was submitted to the Sundance Film Festival.
Northwest School of the Arts is recognized internationally and is the only public arts magnet school serving Mecklenburg County students grades 6 through 12. The school’s unique educational approach combines elements of creativity, art, and technical prowess with a strong academic foundation. The history and prestige that comes with Visual and Performing Arts means something different to everyone – that’s why students have multiple ways to launch into a professional career down the path they choose in Band, Chorus, Costumes Design, Dance, Musical Theatre, Orchestra, Piano, Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Visual Arts.