Franklin School for the Performing Arts Ensembles to Perform at Walt Disney World

Forty-one local students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will travel to Walt Disney World during the April school break to perform for Disney audiences and participate in workshops with Disney performers, choreographers and directors. This is FSPA's 20th year performing at Disney World as part of the Disney Performing Arts program.

FSPA musical theater troupes Broadway Ladies, Broadway Light and Broadway Bound, as well as the senior dance company, CenterStage, will entertain at Downtown Disney's Waterside Stage. Performances are on Sunday evening and Monday afternoon, April 19 and 20, with each ensemble presenting a themed 25-minute set. On the 19th, CenterStage performs at 6:15, followed by Broadway Bound at 7:15, Broadway Ladies at 8:15, Broadway Light at 9:15 and CenterStage again at 10:15. On the 20th, Broadway Ladies takes the stage at 3:15, followed by Broadway Bound at 4:15 and Broadway Light at 5:15. The FSPA students also will participate in Disney Sings, Acting 101, and Disney Jazz Technique workshops and see several live performances and Disney park productions. The Florida-bound students celebrated their upcoming departure with a kick-off brunch at the home of FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer this past weekend.

FSPA performing troupe and dance company members are selected at the beginning of each academic year by audition. The ensembles offer outstanding training and performing opportunities for students in grades 8-12.

The FSPA students participating in Disney Performing Arts at Walt Disney World are Marissa Carlin of Bellingham; Adriane D'Amato of Foxboro; Madison Asgeirsson, Jason Barney, Julia Buccella, Aidan Clark, Brooke Collins, Kendra Dombroski, Emily Dutton, Aaron Frongillo, Samantha Hartley, Jocelyn Jones, Catherine LeClair, Shaina McGillis, Teagan McStay, Stephanie Schiavo, Lindsey Sparages, Lauren Szczepanowski, Katharine Waples, Caitlin Woodcock and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Sam Evans, Alison Mandell, Angela Salisbury, Alex Vancura and Nicole Vancura of Medfield; Ally Lynch and Maddy Williams of Medway; Sydney Cozzolino and Zoë Stewart of Mendon; Katie Gray of Milford; Elina Tavarez of Millis; Shannon Fox of Norfolk; Kylee Rollins of North Attleboro; Isabel Refford of North Easton; Mairead Nee and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Ali Palmer and Jenna McDermott of Wrentham.

The musical theater ensembles will be accompanied by FSPA's resident rhythm section, including pianist Raye Lynn Mercer, drummer and FSPA faculty member Kenny Hadley, and bassist Mark Poniatowski and guitarist Mark White, both of the Berklee College of Music.

For more information about FSPA, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.FSPAonline.com.

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