Rising Stars takes you on a New York artistic journey from Jazz to Pop, Ballet to Hip-Hop, Opera to Broadway Show Tunes along with an exotic Pipa instrumental selection, a mind boggling Contortion act and other surprises ingeniously woven together by Director, Lee Lobenhofer. A Free Gala before each evening program features a Salsa Dance Party, raffles and live performances. Shows are March 2nd @ 4:15pm and 8pm with the Gala starting at 6:30 and March 3rd shows are 2pm & 7:30pm with the Gala at 6pm. Tickets are $10 each for this family oriented program. New York, NY (PRWeb) February 16, 2007 -- LaGuardia Arts High School will proudly present the 22nd Annual Rising Stars program on March 2nd and March 3rd. This year's family-oriented program is themed, "I Am New York." The audience will take a New York City tour through music, dance, drama and other performing arts as varied and diverse as New York City itself.

Award winning producer and actress, Sandy Faison, this year's Artistic Producer and mentor, helps spearhead this production with Director/mentor, Lee Lobenhofer which includes 130 students who obtained their spots in the coveted show through rigorous auditions. Other industry professional mentors on the team to enhance performances include seasoned actors Rachel Ticotin and Ted Williams. Musical & Vocal Directors, Gary Fogel and Robert Apostle respectively, add expert finishing touches to the many genres of exquisite musical and vocal performances. Students of the school's Technical Theatre Department handle the technical aspects, lighting and stage management of the show as well as building the elaborate sets under the tutelage of professionals Christian Crum, Farley Whitfield and Ryan Lanham.

The LaGuardia Arts Parents Association produces Rising Stars as its yearly fundraiser. This year inaugurates the "Rising Stars Endowment Fund" which will provide scholarships for students and grants for the school's five Art & Performing Arts studios which boast Adrian Grenier ("Entourage"), Jonathan Lethem ("Motherless Brooklyn") and Adrien Brody ("The Pianist") among its scores of successful graduates. Current student, Lilli Cooper, now appearing in Broadway's "Spring Awakening", had to pass on Rising Stars this year due to her part in this hit show.

"Working with these amazing young people and their industry professional mentors is both an honor and privilege," says Line Producer, Monifa Edwards-Johnson. "I am positive many of these kids will be among the next generation of Oscar, Emmy, Grammy & Tony award contenders. Their incredible mentors, who have appeared in such movies and plays as 'Cats,' 'Annie,' 'Man on Fire' and 'The Wiz,' are passing the baton of creativity, excellence and what it takes to have longevity in the art & entertainment industries while maintaining personal and artistic integrity. Equally exciting is helping generate revenue for the 'Rising Stars Endowment Fund' that will help these young people pursue higher education." Ninety-six percent of LaGuardia Arts graduates go on to universities and conservatories such as Carnegie-Mellon, Princeton, Juilliard and Yale producing lawyers, doctors and architects as well as artists and entertainers.

Patrons of Rising Stars get to not only witness an incredible show but also give a helping hand to young people for years to come through the 'Rising Stars Endowment Fund', which designated proceeds will maintain. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.laguardiahs.org or www.theatermania.com. Direct purchases can be made February 26-March 1, 4pm - 5:30pm at the school box office and the days of the performances up to fifteen minutes before show times. The school's address is: 100 Amsterdam Avenue, NY, NY 10023.

Tax-deductible donations of any amount will gratefully be accepted. Make checks payable to: The LaGuardia Parents Association with 'Rising Stars Fund' in the memo line and mail to the above address.

For information regarding corporate sponsorship and other queries, contact: Monifa Johnson

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