Pasadena Playhouse to host High School Theatre Festival May 14

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Stephen Eich, Executive Director) announced that the theatre will host THE FIRST ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL on Saturday, May 14 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event will feature eight local high schools, each performing a musical number from their school’s theatre programs repertoire. Admission to the Festival is $1.00 on the day of the event and all proceeds will go towards funding next year’s High School Theatre Festival. This special community price was created so that all friends, family and supporters of the surrounding communities and the local schools may enjoy the talent of the participating students.

"It is an honor for all of us at The Playhouse to be involved in this festival which encourages active participation in the art of the theatre among young people in our community. Nurturing both young artists and young audiences is one of the things that are central to our mission at this theatre,” said Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director of The Pasadena Playhouse. “I am grateful to everyone involved who has given their time and energy to making this valuable event a reality on our stage. Once again, it is our privilege and our pleasure to serve our community in this vitally important way. "

“I wanted to produce this festival because I saw a need. I see theatre departments in high schools as being over-shadowed by sports programs. I wanted to create an opportunity for parents who have children involved in theatre to be able to encourage, support and cheer on their kids the way sports parents get the chance every Friday night when schools play each other,” said Mary Lea Carroll, Producer of The First Annual High School Theatre Festival. “The Playhouse is the symbolic heart of theatre in Pasadena, what teen wouldn’t want to be on its historic stage? We are grateful that The Playhouse is hosting this event, which will help to inspire and educate the next generation of theatre artists and audiences.”

Participating high schools include: Alverno High School, Blair High School, Flintridge Preparatory School, La Salle High School, Maranatha High School, Mayfield Senior School, Polytechnical School and St. Francis High School.

The First Annual High School Theatre Festival is on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue). The event is from 10:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. and the doors open at 9:30 a.m. All tickets are $1.00 and are available for purchase the day of the event at the door. Refreshment and festivities follow in the Engemann Family Courtyard. Refreshments are catered by the students of Blair High School. For more information call 626-356-7529 or visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.