We're Going to Edinburgh!!!! 2007!!!

Clayton High School’s Theater program selected to perform in the world's largest and most prestigious arts festival

Clayton High School’s Theater program was selected to perform in the world's largest and most prestigious arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Held annually, invited performing artists from all over the world gather in Edinburgh, Scotland to take part in the Festival. Clayton’s Theater, recently recognized with 17 Cappies nominations on their 2005-2006 season, was selected as one of twenty-three high schools nationwide to perform during its session.

Clayton’s Theater program was selected by the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) Board of Advisors to represent the United States as part of the 2007 AHSTF Program. The Board of Advisors is comprised of accomplished leaders in their theatrical profession, all of who hold prominent positions at colleges across the country. The Board reviews all completed applications and identifies the top high schools based on the schools' most recent bodies of work, awards, community involvement, philosophies, and recommendations which are outlined in an extensive application. Programs must be nominated by a college or theater professional in order to apply for selection. Jeffrey Matthews, theater professor and Coordinator of Acting and Directing at Washington University, nominated Clayton High School.

From August 1 to August 25, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival presents more than 18,000 performances of music, theatre, dance, and comedy during the three week run.

Clayton will receive four performance slots at the Fringe and full professional tech support before and during the Fringe. In addition, students will fly into London for tour and theater, then travel by train to Edinburgh, Scotland where they will rehearse, sightsee, take in performances, rehearse, perform, and rehearse! It will be a two-week once in a lifetime trip.

When Kelley Ryan learned about Clayton's nomination, she contacted Peter Sargent, the Dean of Webster University’s Theater Conservatory and a board member of AHTF, to learn more about the program. “I have seen statements on prospective student essays that state that the Festival was the single most important experience they had enjoyed. The feed back is consistently positive.” The cost of the trip will be a feat of fundraising, but on this issue Peter says, “It is an expensive proposition as you look at the initial costs. However, when you total up the number of days at a peak tourist season, the fact they provide a venue and tech support, arrange for some remarkable activities and put together a pretty full package, I think it is a bargain in terms of the emotional and educational experience.”

For more information on AHTF and the Fringe Festival log onto http://www.ahstf.com/pages/