Edina High School's production of "Fiddler on the Roof." / Photo by Mike Braun
More than 100 theater kids from Edina High School are heading to the Educational Theater Association's "Thespian Festival" in Lincoln, Neb. The school is one of ten nationally chosen to perform at the annual conference at the Lied Center of the Performing Arts.
Anthony Matthes, Edina's director of theater, said the school was one of about 70 that requested a look from the Association. Edina staged "Fiddler on the Roof" last fall and judges came to evaluate whether it should make the festival. Notice came in January that the school had passed the audition, so to speak. Three years ago, Edina brought "Anything Goes" to the same event.
"We designed 'Fiddler' with the thought that we would take it on the road so we stored the set over the winter," Matthes said.
Edina will send 54 actors, 25 crew members and about 25 musicians to the festival, at a cost of $770 per student.
"We're about the only school that brings its own pit band," Matthes said. The school has been fundraising since last fall and plans two performances June 19-20 to get the show in shape and raise some final cash.
You can get ticket information at Edinatheater.org
Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame: A class-by-class list of all members
This retired journalist changed professional wrestling from Mankato
