Local Theatre And Middle School Collaborate To Introduce Hundreds Of Students To Performing Arts

FAME is the second annual co-production between The Highwood Theatre in Silver Spring and Loiederman Middle School. Funded in part by a Wheaton Cultural Arts Grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, this project was specially designed for Loiederman as the performing arts magnet school of Montgomery County - the perfect chance to showcase talent from all artistic disciplines and backgrounds.

Originally produced as a movie, FAME -- the title song by the same name won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe award in 1981 - is set in New York City and is the story of several students at the High School of Performing Arts, their ambitions, successes, failures and hardships.

Loiederman Drama Teacher Robyn Paley explains the reasoning behind this ambitious show selection: ""What I most enjoy about FAME is the diversity; it's refreshing to do a show that reflects our many talented students. The show also portrays the importance of the arts and at Loiederman we are a testament to how the arts can give students both voice and power to succeed."

The Highwood/Loiederman production, which is entirely designed and run by Loiederman tech students, will feature an all-student cast. More than 75 student actors and technical assistants -doing everything from acting to marketing to singing to costume design -- will be supported by Loiederman's drama teacher, Robyn Paley, as well as six Highwood Teaching Artists who will choreograph, musical direct, and lead the various student technical teams. This highly collaborative effort is a follow-up to the wildly successful 2016 Highwood/Loiederman co- production of James and the Giant Peach, which was viewed by more than 1600 Wheaton elementary school students for free.

"Highwood is so proud to partner with Loiederman on this exciting project - Loiederman students and teachers are so passionate about what they do, and we couldn't ask for a better environment to introduce hundreds of elementary school students to theatre," says Highwood's Executive Director Kevin Kearney.

EXPERIENCE: THEATRE a follow-up to the 2016 production's success in introducing theatre to so many students, over 500 free tickets to FAME will be distributed to Wheaton elementary school students. All students attending the show will also enjoy Highwood and Loiederman's "Experience: Theatre" exhibits, which provide an interactive, educational look at all areas of technical theatre - including set building and design, lights, sound, costumes, and more.

8th grade Loiederman tech student Liam Oaks explains, ""Tech is a very important part of any production, and Experience: Theatre has allowed us to design our own booths and share that excitement for technical theatre with elementary school students. We can't wait!"

FAME will be performed May 3 - 5, 2018 at 7 PM, at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School (12701 Goodhill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906). All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Tickets may be purchased online at www.thehighwoodtheatre.org/tickets or at the door.

FAME JR. May 3 - 5 at 7 PM | Performances at Loiederman Middle School (2701 Goodhill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20906)Conceived and Developed by David De Silva; Book by José Fernandez, Lyrics by Jacques Levy, Music by Steve Margoshes
Based on the classic 1980 film, FAME is set in the city of dreams, New York City, and tells the story of students at the High School of Performing Arts: their ambitions, successes, failures and hardships. FAME is the 2nd Annual Co-production between The Highwood Theatre and A. Mario Loiederman Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts; the price of admission includes a special "Experience: Theatre" exhibit designed by several Loiederman student technical teams. The project is funded in part by a Wheaton Cultural Arts Grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

About The Highwood Theatre

The Highwood Theatre is a non­profit organization dedicated to bringing the community together through theatre. Now in its 15th Season, Highwood's guiding principle is "anyone can do theatre." Highwood was founded in 2004 and began executing its mission through seasons of professional­ quality theatre featuring all­-student casts, design teams, and production staff. In 2013, in conjunction with its relocation to the heart of downtown Silver Spring, The Highwood Theatre expanded to carry out its mission more fully and develop innovative, engaging programming for artists of all ages through professional and student productions, classes, and programs in schools and for home schooled students.

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