The Rouse HS Theatre Department has the honor of being both nominated and accepted into the
AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL in
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND AHSTF Mission Statement: The American High school Theatre Festival was developed to allow top performing arts students to showcase their skills on an international stage. Our festival provides an amazing opportunity for participants to travel to Edinbugh, Scotland, and experience, firsthand, the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Who is eligible to participate? Any Rouse Theatre student that will be a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior in the school year 2014/2015. Seniors will be getting ready to head out to college and so we will work carefully with your schedule and be sure to be in contact with your university if there are any date conflicts.
What do we do? Rouse HS Theatre will accept any student wishing to travel and will then select a play to perform with those students. We will be able to travel this show overseas and perform in the esteemed Fringe Festival, the largest theatre festival in the world. Students will also be touring both London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland while thereattending West End Shows in London and professional Fringe shows in Edinburgh, attending workshops with professional actors in London and Scotland, touring historic sites, etc.
Dates? Summer 2015. We will not get our official dates until after this current years trip is completed. The window is the end of July to the end of August. I have already appealed for the first session to begin in July.
How Long? We arrive in London for two days of sightseeing, which includes a tour of the city, attendance at a West End Theatre District performance and a workshop at Shakespeares Globe (We have the option of adding a workshop in Stratford, England which is Shakespeares birthplace and the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and/or additional days in London). Then, we spend 10 days in Edinburgh, Scotland during which we will attend the official AHSTF Ceilidh (Scottish Dance Festival), rehearse, perform, sightsee, and attend the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
Travel? We will be set up with a professional tour company called WorldStrides, they will take care of all of our travel arrangements. They have been a leader in the student travel industry for over 40 years. They will set up our plane tickets, hotel accommodations, pre-paid meals, historical site tours, tickets to shows in London and Scotland, workshops, etc. WorldStrides has one of the industrys best insurance protection policies. They provide our personal account manager and staff in London and Edinburgh in the form of guides, bus drivers, tech team crew and on-site logistical staff.
Safety? In addition to insurance protection, AHSFT and WorldStrides provide nighttime security at the groups residences, 24 hour stateside support and on-site offices in both London and Edinburgh. Upon registration for the trip, you can request more information about WorldStrides general and professional liability insurance policy and/or AHSTFs student travel protection plan. WorldStrides is covered by the United States Tour Operators Consumer Protection Plan.
Money? If we did not fundraise at all, the trip is estimated between $5,850-$6,625 per participant based on current airfare rates. We are planning on holding several fundraisers throughout the year in order to help drive down the cost. The AHSTF staff have an individual fundraiser already set up so that any student attending can start raising money for themselves right away with a gift of performance E-card. Donations toward your trip are a click away! Cost includes: Travel and technical staff support throughout the year and on-site during the tour, round trip airfare, assistance in/off at London and Scotland airports, motorcoach, bus and tube passes, sightseeing excursions with a licensed guide, accommodations, two meals per day, performance venue, sound and audience seating, box office staff, one rehearsal and four performance opportunities at official AHSTF venue, nighttime security at the accommodations, Fringe marketing fees, admission fees to historical sites including Stirling Castle and the Military Tattoo, admission to a West End production, welcome packets for each participant and AHSTF events including a ceilidh and closing ceremonies. Chaperones are welcome!! And get $350.00 off full program price.
Timeline? May 20 th , 2014 Initial $200.00 deposit is due (Confirms groups space in the festival, total deposits must equal at least $3,000.00 to attend. Checks will be held until May 20 th , if we do not reach the minimum of 15 participants the checks will be returned and the trip cancelled.) July 3 rd , 2014 - $150.00 payment due September 5 th , 2014 - $500.00 payment due October 24 th , 2014 - $750.00 payment due January 9 th , 2015 - $1000.00 payment due March 6 th , 2015 - $1000.00 payment due April 17 th , 2015 - $1000.00 payment due June 12 th , 2015 Final balance due (this number will depend on how much we have been able to fundraise as a group and how much the individual fundraised for themselves.)
INTERESTED? I HOPE SO!! This is an amazing opportunity for our Theatre program and I would love to be able to attend. The next step for you is to pay an initial $200.00 non-refundable deposit. This must be paid no later than May 21st, 2014 in order to hold our spot on the trip and assure your students participation in that trip.
MONDAY, MAY 5 th immediately following the booster club meeting at 7pm I have a brief video to show and will be available to take checks and/or answer any questions you may have.
For more information on the American High School Theatre Festival you can write to 218 West Water Street, Suite 400, Charlottesville, VA 22902, call 1-888- 882-4783, or visit the website at www.ahstf.org. Or Contact Stephanie_smith@leanderisd.org (512)570-2059