STC Participates In First-Ever Cultural Exchange With Theatre Royal Bath From England

Eight acting conservatory students from Stages Theatre Company (STC) are traveling to Bath, England in July as part of a cultural theatre exchange. In return, 13 acting students and three technical theatre students from the Theatre Royal Bath-Young People's Theatre (TRB YPT), the egg, are traveling to Hopkins in August to perform for audiences at STC.

This unique and exciting opportunity took more than four years to develop into a reality. Jon Ferguson, a Resident Artist for STC, who previously worked with the egg, suggested to Artistic Director Sandy Boren-Barrett that the two theatres develop a connection. "I met (Artistic Director) Lee (Lyford) in fall 2005 when he brought a group of youth to San Francisco. Shortly after our meeting, STC applied for and received two grants from the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) for me travel to the egg, and for Lee and another staff member to come to STC last summer," says Sandy Boren-Barrett, Artistic Director for STC.

Boren-Barrett explains how the cultural exchange works. "We are taking a group of nine youth actors (eight conservatory students, one youth guest artist) and one adult guest artist and three staff members to Bath, England on a performance exchange where the Acting Conservatory students will stay in the homes of host families."

Stages Theatre Company students will perform the fall 2008 favorite "How I Became a Pirate" for audiences at the egg July 9 through July 11, performing five, sold-out performances.

In August, local audiences will be treated to four performances by 13 acting students from the egg. The troupe is performing Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" at the Hopkins Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit www.stagestheatre.org or call the box office at (952) 979-1111, Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Individual tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for season subscribers. The show is recommended for ages seven and up.

Acting Conservatory students from STC completed a thorough process in order to participate in this rare opportunity. "Students had to complete a rigorous application process that included a narrative application, an interview and audition," says Boren-Barrett. Other requirements include
a minimum of two years in the STC Acting Conservatory program and reaching sophomore status by fall 2009.

Described as one of the best actor training programs in the Twin Cities, the Acting Conservatory is designed for students between the ages of 12 and 17. After auditions, students are placed in one of four tracks. This comprehensive, 18-week training program teaches students the necessary
tools and techniques required to become a confident, skilled and thoughtful actor.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season, Stages Theatre Company was founded in 1984 and since then has grown to become one of the largest professional theatres for young audiences in the country. We engage young artists with production themes relevant to their lives and create works featuring young people in meaningful roles. Through theatrical productions, workshops, conservatory classes and other outreach programs, Stages Theatre Company annually serves more than 120,000 young people and their families.

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