Nanakuli High's Performing Arts Students Selected to Perform in Scotland - Your Support is Needed!

The Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Performing Arts Center (NPAC) has been selected to represent the United States and perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 2011 as part of the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF).

The Fringe Festival is the largest and most prestigious arts festival in the world. Over a thousand performing companies attend, and the whole city becomes a stage. 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 and attracts over a half million tourists with its unrivaled range of music, theatre, comedy, and visual arts.

Participating schools are first selected by nomination. Once nominated, the school's director must apply through writing several short essays and submit other evidence of achievements. This year, over 2000 schools were nominated and only 100 schools were selected.

The NPAC was selected by the AHSTF Board of Advisors to represent the United States as part of the 2011 AHSTF program. The Board reviews all completed applications and identifies the top high schools based on their most recent bodies of work, awards, community involvement, philosophies, and recommendations.

The NPAC will participate in a two-week adventure in August 2011 that includes two days in London to experience world-renowned theatre on the West End and historical sights. After a train trip up Britain’s coast, the NPAC will begin a theatre opportunity of a lifetime, as we attend and perform (four times) at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

But of course, all of these experiences will depend if we are able to raise the funds needed to cover the cost of the activity. So we will be coming up with a game plan to address this challenge.

Nevertheless, for NPAC to be selected is an honor as it validates the work the students, past and present have done over the last 19 years. Furthermore, we have the opportunity to represent NHIS, the community, Hawaii, and the United States and to share our talents with the world (yes, a bit dramatic, but hey, I’m so proud of the program).

Anyone who wants to [support the NPAC students by contributing financially] can visit our website at http://www.nhispac.com . . . we have information on this event and donating, links, and people can even charge donations on credit cards if they want to.

Thanks for your support,

Robin Kitsu

NPAC Director

Robin_Kitsu/NANAKULIHI/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us