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In 1947, following the Second World War, the Fringe was born
to re-invent and invigorate the arts in Britain and Europe through
a multi-faceted cultural festival. For that first festival, six
theatre companies from Scotland and two from England came to Edinburgh
for a daring and new experience. So began the world’s finest
theatre festival as an unorganized gathering of those dedicated
to the art of the stage. 
Over the past 58 years, the Fringe has grown into a world-renown
attraction in conjunction with the Edinburgh International Festival.
Over 500,000 people visit hundreds of venues, boasting performances
of classical music, theatre, opera, and dance. For three weeks,
Edinburgh is a city of performing arts; something is happening
at every step and crossway. On street corners, theatre companies
act scenes and pass around a hat for donations. Parks, churches,
office buildings, and schools become homes to roaming performance
companies, and everyone is caught up in the activity and elation
of constant performances.
Participation by the TP Players in the Fringe Festival comes
through the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF). It
is a great honor to be chosen after a rigorous selection process.
A high school must be nominated to apply by a past winner or a
leading figure from a large educational theatre organization.
Once nominated to apply, a school fills out an application, and
then is reviewed and considered by theatre professionals. A small
number of select high schools are then given the opportunity to
attend. The TP Players was nominated to apply by the head of the
Educational Theatre Association, a national theatre organization.
We were their number one choice in the state of California and,
informally, we had “the most impressive application”
nationwide. The TP Players is one of only eight high schools in
California chosen to go to Edinburgh this year, and only 38 high
schools have been given this opportunity nationwide.
The acclaimed World Strides travel agency is carefully organizing
our trip, which will occur during the first two weeks of August
2006. We will be educated in the theatre and history of England
and Scotland, with tours and various cultural outings in addition
to our scheduled theatre events. More detail regarding trip activities
can be provided upon request.
This is a significant honor bestowed upon us by the AHSTF. It
is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the very dedicated
students chosen to attend and represent the TP Players.
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