Julie Cohen Theobald News

Inspired by the network's upcoming Jason Katims drama RISE, which premieres Tuesday, March 13 and follows the effects a high school theatre department has on its surrounding community, NBC is launching R.I.S.E. America, a program that grants a half-million dollars to high school theatre programs across the country.

Eight schools have been honored with an invitation to perform on the main stage at the nation's leading high school theatre festival, which is produced by the Educational Theatre Association. The invitations are based on productions that were adjudicated last fall; three more schools will be invited this spring. (Complete list of schools and shows to-date follows.)

With a commitment to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through performance and education, STAGES St. Louis has announced its partnership with the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the nation's preeminent organization dedicated to enriching lives through performing arts education and home of the International Thespian Society.

The second annual Thespians Go Hollywood event, supporting access and excellence in theatre education programs for underserved schools, takes place November 12 at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Angeles, California. The event, produced by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and the International Thespian Society (ITS), is chaired by Krista Carson Elhai, EdTA board member and president of the California Educational Theatre Association.