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Theater students short of funds

Hoping to travel to prestigious festival in Scotland, they'll have to stage a comeback.

Related content • Students heading to London to learn history, art, culture • Theater students short of funds

By Kim L. Hooper

kim.hooper@indystar.com

March 25, 2005

Students from the Broad Ripple High School theater magnet program are trying to raise enough money to attend a prestigious international festival 3,766 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland, this summer.

Since August, students have been raising money, but so far have fallen woefully short of the $80,000 needed for 16 students and four adults to attend. Originally, 20 students signed up to go.

The Theater Booster Club -- parents and supporters -- expect to lose at least three more students who can't afford the $4,300-per-person cost.

"Part of the problem is the parents have to kick in where the booster club doesn't," said theater teacher Kristopher Owens. "The goal was to fund-raise 75 percent and parents pay the remaining 25 percent. It's flip-flopped."

Students are about $60,000 short of the goal. And the money paid so far to the American High School Theater festival, a division of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, isn't refundable.

At the festival, the teens would perform four shows at the Church Hill Festival in Scotland in addition to other promotional appearances. They also would tour historic sites in Scotland and London such as Edinburgh Castle and Hollyrood Palace and Abbey, and see the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Organizers want to keep the trip on track for the students. Only 30 high schools are invited each year to participate. Broad Ripple students were first invited in 2002.

But the trip was almost canceled after former theater teacher Daniel J. Uhde was arrested and charged with having improper relationships with female students.

"It did set us back a little bit. But canceling the trip because of that would be a double whammy," Owens said. "It's not fair to the kids. They've done nothing wrong.

Parent Mary Jane Brown, who's also a theater booster, agreed.

"This is a trip of a lifetime for these kids," she said.

Donations may be sent to Broad Ripple High School Theater Magnet Director Sandy Reiberg, 1115 N. Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220. Call 317-693-5722 for more information.

Call Star reporter Kim L. Hooper at (317) 444-6494.