Dear Supporter of our Students,

I would like you to have the opportunity to take part in this extraordinary educational theatre experience: Manchester High School West, has become the first high school in the state of New Hampshire to be invited by the American High School Theatre Festival to represent our school, city and state to perform at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, the most prestigious arts festival in the world, a second time!  This extraordinary honor and opportunity came about after the AHSTF notified us via early decision in October 2010, that their panel of college and university theatre professionals around the nation identified our school out of over 2500 nominations as one of 50 top high school theatre programs in the country, for a second time!

This second invitation is a confirmation of the prestige and growth of our program, which began years ago as a fledgling, after-school activity to become an award-winning theatre company; one that has represented New Hampshire at State and New England Drama Festivals since 1996, as well as the International Fringe Festival in 2009.  We are currently the only full-time theatre program in the city of Manchester, and one of a handful of such programs in the state.  One New England College professor described Theatre Knights as “Manchester’s premier young people’s theatre company.”

This reputation is due to our dedication and commitment to excellence, but not just in the theatre arts. Our students learn to be responsible and contributing members of society through a rigorous and challenging program.  They grow into confident and capable young men and women who become doctors, lawyers, accountants, business owners and community leaders, and they become the future supporters of theatre arts.

The culmination of the educational theatre experience for this year’s students is the chance to go and perform at the prestigious International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.  They have worked hard, they’ve earned it, and they deserve it.  And what better way to cement the value of the arts in their minds than to support them in this endeavor?  Enclosed with this letter is a breakdown of how you can be a part of it all.

Please help support our students; help support the future of theatre arts.

Sincerely,

Timothy Benner
Advisor/Director, Theatre Knights
Manchester High School West

Dates of trip

July 31 (depart US) - August 13 (return from UK)

Specific Program Inclusions

To give you some idea of what the 2012 AHSTF program may include, here is a list of the inclusions from the 2011 program. (Click here for a sample group Itinerary)

ü  Personal account representative to help in the planning of your upcoming AHSTF experience

ü  Round-trip airfare from nearest major airport

ü  Two nights accommodations in London (2012 will have two nights accommodations in Birmingham)

ü  10 nights accommodations in Edinburgh

ü  Daily buffet breakfast in London (2012 will have daily buffet breakfast in Birmingham)

ü  One lunch and one dinner in London (2012 in Birmingham)

ü  Two meals daily as specified in the final itinerary in Edinburgh

ü  Motorcoach service for group as indicated in the itinerary (airport and venue transfers, sightseeing)

ü  Half-day guided tour of London

ü  London theatre ticket

ü  One-day London Tube pass

ü  Transportation from London to Edinburgh

ü  Half-day guided tour of Edinburgh

ü  Technical session in AHSTF’s official Fringe venues*

ü  Performance opportunities in one of AHSTF’s official Fringe venues*

ü  AHSTF Ceilidh (evening of Scottish dancing) and AHSTF Closing Ceremony

ü  Full-day guided excursion to Stirling Castle and the Trossachs

ü  Night security (called proctors)

ü  Administration and accounting services

ü  On-site escorts throughout the trip

ü  Technical personnel throughout the year and during the Fringe*

ü  Rental of venue*

ü  Basic lighting, sound, and stage components*

ü  All participation and marketing fees associated with Fringe Festival Society*

ü  Ticket and venue program printing*

ü  City bus passes and/or rail passes (depending on accommodation)
* these items represent costs that must be covered above and beyond what it would normally cost for just a trip to Edinburgh.

Who to Contact with a Fundraising Idea or Project:
Jennifer Kippin (Just click on the name to send her an email with your idea!)
603-644-7174    www.jknaturephotos.com

Those who are Scotland Bound in 2012!:

LIST OF STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
Lindsey Allard
Rebecca Avard
Felicity Campbell
Corrie Anne Clements
Jeannique Celestin
Jocelyn Couture
Quenton Glennon
Zachary Glennon
Mercedes Howes
Krystel Kippin
Bethanie Ryan
Haylie Zebrowski

CHAPERONE PARTICIPANTS
Tim Benner
Cheryl Giffen
Ann Holmes
Mary Waples, RN

––– Preliminary AHSTF Group Itinerary –––

Please understand that it is very difficult to give exact details this many months in advance and any information we do provide is subject to change. We are, however, aware that you are anxious to know as much as possible about the current AHSTF program so that you can better understand what you will experience on your trip. We have put together this preliminary itinerary for your information.

ü Day 1 – Bon Voyage!

ü  Groups depart from their hometown airports and head overseas to the UK.

ü Day 2 – London

ü  Your local Blue Badge Guide will meet you at the airport in London and help you transfer your luggage onto a chartered motorcoach.

ü  Your group will head to the nearest tube station to make your way into the city.

ü  During your walking tour of London, you’ll have the chance to see many of London’s major sights. Suitable for those visiting for the first time, or those just wishing to reacquaint themselves with the capital’s charms, this tour is London in a nutshell! Your group can see famous sights such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the Tower of London. And of course, take in the excitement of the 2012 Olympics!

ü  Transfer by chartered motorcoach to Birmingham

ü  Enjoy meeting your fellow AHSTF troupes as you relax at dinner.

ü  Hotel Check-In and Overnight in Birmingham

ü Day 3 – Stratford

ü  Breakfast at the hotel

ü  The group will travel by chartered motorcoach to Stratford.

ü  There are no shortage of things to see and learn in the charming town of Stratford! Students will have the opportunity to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in addition to other well-known Shakespeare properties, including Nash’s House, New Place, or Holy Trinity Church. Some groups may choose to head out to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s House and Gardens or participate in a workshop organized by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

ü  The group will conclude their visit in Stratford with a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company (production TBA).

ü  Return to Birmingham.

ü Day 4

ü  After breakfast, groups will load their luggage onto luggage vans for the journey north to Edinburgh. Groups will be transported to Edinburgh by train. Upon arrival in Scotland, most groups will be met by a licensed Scottish guide who will lead them on a half-day, guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. Some groups may have their technical rehearsal this afternoon and do their sightseeing on another day.

ü  After check-in at the Edinburgh accommodations, dinner will be served in the dining hall, followed by a director’s meeting with AHSTF staff and the Technical Team.

ü Day 5

ü  Breakfast and one other meal provided in the university dining room. Rehearsals continue for those groups who were sightseeing the day before. Performances may begin for some groups.

ü Day 6

ü  Breakfast and one other meal provided in the university dining room. Technical rehearsals and performances continue for some groups.

ü Days 7 - 12

ü  Breakfast and one other meal daily at the dining hall.

ü  Groups perform at the AHSTF venues and attend other AHSTF productions.

ü  All-day, guided sightseeing excursion to Stirling Castle and the Trossachs.

ü  Attend an evening performance of the Military Tattoo on the grounds of the Edinburgh Castle.

ü  Enjoy a traditional Ceilidh Scottish dance extravaganza for all to participate.

ü Day 13

ü  Breakfast and lunch provided in the university dining room.

ü  A farewell closing ceremony. The afternoon can be spent catching a final glimpse of Edinburgh and the many fantastic Fringe productions.

ü Day 14

ü  Breakfast in the dining hall. Motorcoach transfers to the airport for flights home.

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