The road to Internationals: Lemon Bay High School Theatre starts fundraiser

Lemon Bay High School Theatre students are on their way to the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska, provided they can raise the $80,000 to cover registration fees, room, and board and transportation of their entire cast and crew to the Midwest this June.

The cast of the Englewood high school performed their production of "The Wedding Singer" in November 2008 for a panel of state judges, and were selected in early January as one of the top eight to perform mainstage at the state festival. This is their fourth time winning this honor, having taken "Seussical: The Musical" in 2005, a workshop performance of "Swing" in 2006, and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in 2007.

While performing at the state festival in late April, International judges reviewed the performance and selected it as one of seven shows out of hundreds reviewed across the globe to perform at the International Thespian Festival held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "The Wedding Singer" will be the closing event of the festival on Saturday, June 27.

Florida hasn't been represented at the International Thespian Festival in more than 10 years.

The festival provides $4,000 to assist with mounting the production at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts, but Lemon Bay High School Theatre must raise the rest of the $80,000 for the trip.

In order to raise the funds, the cast is holding a drive: "The Road To Internationals - 1,500 At $50 Campaign." The concept is to find 1,500 people who believe in these kids and their cause and help this small, underdog school go global by pledging just $50.

Lemon Bay High School Theatre is under the artistic direction of Jennifer Kelly ("Grease," "Cats," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Swing!"), Choreographer Sarah Baer (And 5, 6, 7, 8 Dance Studio), Assistant Producer Sherie Ragan, Music Director Jaclyn Cushman and Vocal Coach Sharon Ponte.

To help the Lemon Bay High School thespians get to Internationals, donations can be sent to: LBHS Theatre Wedding Singer International Fund, 2201 Placida Rd, Englewood, FL 34224 or donations can be made by credit card online through a fund in memory of Englewood Sun Herald reporter Grace Gilbert at: http://gulfcoastcf.org/page27421. cfm?ecomfundid=10045661.

For more information, contact Lemon Bay High School Theatre Director Jennifer Kelly at (941) 626-0688.