NSMT's Academy Performance Ensemble Performs HALLOWEEN TOWN 10/25

North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) has introduced the 2008 Academy Performance Ensemble. Under the artistic direction of NSMT's award-winning education program, these singers and dancers from Boston's North Shore ages 14 to 18 perform a wide range of selections from classic and contemporary musical theater to entertain audiences while gaining valuable real-life performance experience.

The Academy Performance Ensemble's first appearance will be at Boston Medical Center's "Halloween Town" at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston on Saturday, Oct. 25.  This family friendly event will include kids' performers, pumpkin decorating, sing alongs, trick or treating, and more. The Academy Performance Ensemble will perform a selection of popular songs and teach audiences the "What Time Is It?" dance from North Shore Music Theatre's upcoming holiday season musical, Disney High School Musical 2 on stage December 18 through January 11, 2009 (tickets are on sale now).

"These kids have worked really hard to prepare a broad selection of song and dance numbers, and we are all extremely excited about their debut at Halloween Town," said Myvonwyn Hopton, Director of Dance at North Shore Music Theatre. "Whether or not they pursue performing arts in the future, the experience and self confidence they gain now will stay with them for a lifetime."

NSMT's Academy Performance Ensemble, formerly known as the NSMT Youth Choir, has appeared with the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Red Cross Community Heroes Celebration, and at other community events around the North Shore.  For more information, or to consider NSMT's Academy Performance Ensemble for your event, please call 978.232.7205 or visit www.nsmt.org.
 
Presented by iParty, the fourth annual Halloween Town on Oct. 25 and 26 at the Seaport World Trade Center benefits the Kids Fund at Boston Medical Center. For more information please visit: halloweentownboston.com.

Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 300,000 patrons annually.  NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs.  NSMT has received numerous industry awards including The Elliot Norton Award, The Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and The Moss Hart Award.  NSMT annually produces a six musical subscription series and an acclaimed concert series. With its celebrated Theatre for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region's leading providers of theater arts and education.

PHOTO: Academy Performance Ensemble members include: Front row (left to right):  Sarah Cammarata of Lynnfield, Rachael Barthelmes of Beverly, Futaba Shioda of Burlington, Rachel Rikeman of Newburyport and Molly Grant of Boxford.  Back row (l to r):  Olivia Miller of Melrose, Alex Newell of Lynn, Kristina Kastrinelis of Boxford, Cassandra Balzarini of Rockport, Connor Doherty of Beverly, Connor Prickett of Lynnfield, Margaret Stanton of Rockport, Benjamin Raffalli of North Andover, Brendan Leonard of Rowley and DJ Plunkett of Lynn. Not pictured: Christian Doyle of Newburyport.

North Shore Music Theatre is located at 62 Dunham Rd, Beverly, MA 01915. For more information, visit http://www.nsmt.org.