MINNEAPOLIS (December 20, 2011) Hennepin Theatre Trust today announced the new Fall 2011 honorees from Minnesota high schools recognizing theatre accomplishments by school and category for the 2011-12 SpotLight Musical Theatre Program. Now in its seventh successful year, SpotLight is Hennepin Theatre Trusts flagship educational initiative which honors, supports and advocates for Minnesota high school musical theatre students and programs. This year, a record 56 schools, including 13 new schools and nine from greater Minnesota, are presenting musicals made possible by the collaboration of almost 5,000 students and are annually seen by an estimated 105,000 audience members.

Current honorees from high schools who presented musicals in fall 2011 are from Apple Valley, Bemidji, Cambridge-Isanti, Chaska, Chisago Lakes, Circle Pines, Eagan, Edina, Forest Lake, Fridley, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Moorhead, Mound, New Brighton, Shakopee, St. Louis Park, Wayzata, Winona, White Bear Lake and Woodbury. A comprehensive list of school participants is included at the end of this press release and a list of the fall 2011 honorees by school and category is available online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

The SpotLight Musical Theatre Program honors high school musicals and students by recognizing their extraordinary achievements and working to develop young talent in Minnesotas high school musical theatre programs. This year, highlights include the first high school performances in the nation of Caroline, or Change (St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts), Legally Blonde (Minnetonka High School) and the musical version of A Christmas Carol (Eagan High School).

Schools and participating musical theatre students will also be honored at SpotLights culminating event, the seventh annual SpotLight Showcase, scheduled this year at 7 p.m., Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre. This gala evening celebrates and honors high school musical theatre by featuring dynamic student performances mixed with award presentations. Last years event sold out and featured nearly 1,000 Minnesota students performing on the Orpheum stage. Tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Sarah Johnson | Public Relations Manager

612.455.9527 | 612.455.9502 fx

Sarah.Johnson@HennepinTheatreTrust.org

615 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 140 | Minneapolis, MN | 55403

HennepinTheatreTrust.org