Fidelity Offers New Program for Arts Education

Fidelity Investments, in partnership with The Viertel/Frankel/ Baruch/Routh Group and LEAP (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program), today unveiled Fidelity FutureStagesm, a comprehensive arts education initiative designed to provide New York City students with the opportunity to learn from some of professional theater's leading playwrights, directors, designers and actors.

"As the presenting sponsor of this season's productions of Company and The Fantasticks, Fidelity joined The Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group in  developing this exceptional education outreach initiative.  The seven-month program will give more than 600 area students, representing 10 inner-city schools, a unique opportunity to learn from members of the professional  theater community and experience the thrill of bringing their creativity and ideas to life on a Broadway stage.  LEAP, with more than 30 years of experience and expertise in bringing the arts into city classrooms, will  take a lead role as liaison with the participating schools," as press notes state.

"Program activities will involve playwriting and production workshops, learning set and costume design, working with professional actors to develop acting and audition skills, and attending rehearsals and live performances. All students participating in Fidelity FutureStages will write and produce their own original plays, 10 of which will be performed on a Broadway stage in May 2007.

The goal of Fidelity FutureStagesm - to give New York City kids an opportunity to develop their passion for the theater arts - draws from the themes of Fidelity's Inspire the Future program, a grassroots outreach  initiative dedicated to inspiring future generations of athletes, musicians and artists.

'Fidelity FutureStagesm will give these students extraordinary access and experience working with some of the finest creative talent in professional theater,' said Steve Akin, president of Fidelity Personal Investments. 'Utilizing the resources and guidance of our partners at The Viertel/Frankel/ Baruch/Routh Group and LEAP, we believe this program will  grow each year and bring arts education to many kids throughout the city.'

The 10 schools involved in the inaugural Fidelity FutureStagesm program were identified with the help of LEAP, a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of public education through a hands-on, arts-based approach to learning.  While the participating schools range in location, size, age group and educational focus, they are all dedicated to fostering well-rounded students with an appreciation of the fine arts. Fidelity  FutureStagesm will provide these students and their teachers with unique learning tools and experiences as they explore their creative talents and interests through the course of the program.

"LEAP is thrilled to be providing a program for under-served New York City public school students to write and produce their own original plays," said LEAP Associate Executive Director Alice Krieger. "Through the generosity of Fidelity, students will experience the passion of professional theater  artists and participate first-hand in the creative process, becoming motivated in school and actively investing in their own futures."

Each year 220,000 students from over 300 schools participate in LEAP programs, making it one of the largest arts education organizations in New York. LEAP will be involved in Fidelity FutureStagesm throughout the year,  acting as a liaison between the schools and LEAP professionals at each partner school and the theater professionals coordinated with The Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group.

Fidelity FutureStagesm workshops and guest lectures begin immediately, with  instructional elements continuing through the 2006-07 school year.  The inaugural program concludes in May 2007, culminating in a gala performance of 10 student-written, produced and acted original plays on a Broadway  stage, selected by the participating students to represent all 10 Fidelity FutureStagesm schools."

The Fidelity FutureStagesm participating schools are:

Hillcrest High School  (Grades 9-12; located in Queens)
Long Island City High School  (9-12; Queens)
Adlai E. Stevenson High School  (9-12; Bronx)
JHS 022 Jordan L. Mott  (5-8; Bronx)
Enterprise, Business & Technology High School  (9-12; Brooklyn)
JHS 050 John D. Wells  (5-8; Brooklyn)
JHS 383 Phillippa Schuyler  (5-8; Brooklyn)
Louis D. Brandeis High School (9-12; Manhattan)Baruch College Campus High
School  (9-12; Manhattan)
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School  (9-12; Manhattan)

Visit www.fidelity.com for more information.