Franklin School for the Performing Arts to Perform at Disney World, 4/14 & 15

More than 30 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 master classes with Disney performers, choreographers and directors.

FSPA musical theater troupes Broadway Bound and Broadway Light, as well as the senior dance company, CenterStage, will entertain at Downtown Disney's Waterside Stage. Performances are on Sunday and Monday evenings, April 14 and 15. The FSPA students also will participate in Disney's Broadway Magic, Disney Dancin' and Disney Sings workshops, as well as in the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

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 throughout the year.

The FSPA students participating in Disney Performing Arts at Walt Disney World are Adriane D'Amato and Amber McGrath of Foxboro; Madi Asgeirsson, Brooke Collins, Hailey DeMello, Kendra Dombroski, Emily Dutton, Giovanna Ferri, Ali Funkhouser, Graham Hancock, Jocelyn Jones, Catherine LeClair, Melissa Mandia, Shaina McGillis, Lucas Melfi, Brian Rea, Jillian Rea, Alicia Rivera, Lindsey Sparages, Lauren Szczepanowski, Katherine Waples and Hannah Winiker of Franklin; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Sarah Bonde, Katie Compson, Alex Vancura and Nicole Vancura of Medfield; Maddy Williams of Medway; Katie Gray of Milford; Shannon Fox of Norfolk; Sasha Gardner of Sharon; and Mikaela Alioto, McKenna May and Jenna McDermott of Wrentham.

In preparation for the trip, FSPA will present a Disney Showcase on Saturday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. at FSPA-Hudson, located in the historic Odd Fellows Building at 14 Main Street in downtown Hudson. In addition to the Disney-bound ensembles, Disney Showcase will feature the musical theater troupes Lite Brites and BLT2, with younger FSPA students, and FSPA's junior dance ensemble, Next Step. Ticket proceeds will help defray travel and workshop expenses for the Disney-bound performers.

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

Tickets to Disney Showcase are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors, and include a dessert buffet at intermission. Tickets may be purchased in advance at The Spotlight Shop, 34 Main Street, Franklin, or by phone at (508) 528-8668, or are available at the door. For more information about Disney Showcase or FSPA, call (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.