DONOR MAKES DREAMS COME TRUE FOR TWELVE AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

GENEROUS DONOR MAKES DREAMS COME TRUE FOR TWELVE AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Doctor Family Foundation is making the ultimate, live Broadway experience in New York City a reality for a group of outstanding students!
Charlotte, NC – Twelve local high school students are about to go on the trip of a lifetime thanks to a new Blumenthal Performing Arts Center program made possible by a generous gift from The Doctor Family Foundation.  The 12 participating students will have the opportunity to experience Broadway firsthand, from the thrill of the performance on stage to the chance to go backstage and visit with the cast. 
Expanding Horizons: The Broadway Experience trip takes place this weekend (April 16 – 18).  The participating students will see several Broadway shows, get backstage tours, meet with New York City producers to learn more about the theater business and get the chance to visit other popular New York City attractions.
Six schools applied for the all-expense-paid Broadway experience, each submitting a team of four students – two girls and two boys – and an adult who would chaperone.  Three teams were chosen by the Center’s Education Department:  Porter Ridge High School (Union County); Renaissance School at Olympic High School and Northwest School of the Arts, both Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. 
The participating students include Matthew Carlson, Deveney Franklin, Sara Reinecke and Kyron Turner from Northwest School of the Arts, Brianna Billiot, Devante Lawrence, Leah Morgan and Luke Tucker from Porter Ridge High School and Keith Brown, Jesse Gonzalez, Kassandra Infante and Laura Kogos from Renaissance School at Olympic High School.
“These talented students will have an exceptional insiders look at the theater world,” said Center President Tom Gabbard.  “Only one student has been to New York before, and for others, a life-long dream is now being realized through this trip.  Our hope is that the experience will further motivate them to work hard in school and in developing their own skills and discipline.”
Brianna Billiot of Porter Ridge High is one of the students chosen for this amazing opportunity.   “I know I will only love theater more after experiencing Broadway,” Billiot said in a recent interview with the Charlotte Observer. 
Michelle Youngs, Educational Activities Coordinator for the Center’s Education Department, says that while the students are in New York City, they will have the opportunity to see two Broadway shows:  BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL and IN THE HEIGHTS.  They will also get to meet several members of the cast and crew from BILLY ELLIOT and will be treated to a backstage tour in one of New York City’s many beautiful theaters.  The students will also have the chance to visit some arts attractions while in New York, such as Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall.
The first-ever Expanding Horizons: Broadway Experience came about because of the Doctor Family Foundation’s commitment to provide beyond-the-norm learning opportunities and encouragement for high school students with a passion for the performing arts.  A total of six schools applied for the inaugural grant.  The three schools that were not selected for the New York City trip are still in for a special experience all their own.  They will be given tickets to see two nationally touring Broadway productions that are part of the Center’s 2010-2011 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series.
For full press release, please click PDF below.