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Start your educational travel tour of London and Edinburgh.
Your Blue Badge Guide
London Guided Sightseeing TourJoin a licensed local guide for an in-depth look at London, from the royal haunt of Buckingham Palace (the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II) to the slightly more democratic Speakers’ Corner of Hyde Park, where anyone can pull up a soapbox and orate to his heart’s content. You’ll see the changing of the guard (season permitting), the clock tower of Big Ben with its 14-ton bell, and Westminster Abbey, where almost every English king and queen since William the Conqueror has been crowned. After a stop at the Houses of Parliament, continue on to the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of London architect Christopher Wren.
Take an optional Globe Theatre interactive workshop
EventAttend a West End theater performance in the evening
Travel to Edinburgh
MingleDirectors meeting with AHSTF staff and tech team
RehearsalStudent Flash Mob rehearsal
Edinburgh Castle, the historical and emotional heart of the city, is just one of the many sights you will see on this tour, led by a licensed professional guide. Make your way along the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of the 16th and 17th centuries. (It's actually one mile and 107 yards long--from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House). As you make your way along cobbled streets, you'll see a handful of the several thousand buildings officially protected in Edinburgh because of their architectural or historic importance. The 200-foot spire of the Sir Walter Scott monument soars above the East Princes Street Gardens. Grand figures from Scottish history adorn its heights, make sure you also look down -- the figure below the marble statue is Scott's favorite dog, Maida.
RehearsalTechnical rehearsals
Support your peers and see great theatre and dance productions! All groups attend four productions put on by their fellow companies. You are encouraged to see as many student shows as possible, but four are included on your itinerary. Everyone deserves an audience!
Royal Mile Group PerformancePerform to wanderers of the Royal Mile in your own 20-minute preview. Garner excitement for your show by intriguing the passersby through the age-old art of busking!
The spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.
Attend Other PerformancesSupport your peers and see great theatre and dance productions! All groups attend four productions put on by their fellow companies. You are encouraged to see as many student shows as possible, but four are included on your itinerary. Everyone deserves an audience!
The medieval town of Stirling grew up around one of Scotland’s most important fortresses and the Old Town is still surrounded by its original 16th century walls. The town served as the backdrop for one of William Wallace’s 13th century battles and continued to be of strategic importance in the Jacobite uprisings. The Trossachs, home to Rob Roy and Loch Lomond, is a region of craggy hills, sparkling lochs and rich culture. Scotland’s first national park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park now make up a large part of the area.
Attend our college fair with representatives from U.S. and U.K. performing arts institutions! Network, listen in on a panel with performing arts professionals, get a free headshot, and more. College faculty will present their theatre and dance programs and serve on panels for hundreds of high school students, and college students may attend to provide their perspective on life at their schools.
Group PerformanceThe spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.
Attend other performances.
Attend a Traditional Scottish CeilidhA tradition dating back to 1875, a Ceilidh is an evening of Scottish folk music and dancing. This evening, an authentic Scottish Ceilidh band will lead groups through dance steps while their own Ceilidh dancers entertain during much needed breaks. .
Attend other performances.
Attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo EventThis spectacular event is acclaimed by many as “the greatest show on earth” and is undeniably one of the world’s most breathtaking spectacles. The Tattoo is a dazzling celebration of music, dance, and drama which takes place on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. The program includes the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, the Military Bands of the Scottish Division, the Massed Pipes and Drums representing Scotland’s Regiments, and many other bands from every corner of the earth. A sensational finale brings the show to an emotional climax.
Your group will have the rare opportunity to work with the internationally renowned award-winning Chicago, L.A. and New York ensemble. These experts will help your students learn how to improvise songs and play in a more free, fast and fun style. Baby Wants Candy workshops consistently sell out everywhere the group travels. Learn the improv gospel from actual cast members as they lead a private musical improvisation workshop onsite at Pollock Halls!
Group PerformanceThe spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.
The spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.
Celebration Party to Wrap Up the EventThat’s a wrap! You’ve completed your show run at the largest performing arts festival in the world. Celebrate with your fellow companies with awards from the tech team, a special photo presentation, surprise performances, and more.
Depart for home
Class is in session. And, by that, of course we mean the endless lessons that travel brings. So, no matter if you’re out trotting the globe or at home planning your next trip, adventure is never far! These must-read blog posts open a world of learning through inspirational travel stories, destination spotlights, classroom resources, and other buzzworthy news.
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