THANK YOU FOR AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!
Busking (Canvasing) with the Crew
Paul Kraimer
There is so much I could say about this experience, but I can also sum it up in one word, WOW! This was a long process with so many ups and downs, yet through it all, Ms. French’s guiding hand made sure it all came together. She wouldn’t let us stop. Through it all, with Ms. French’s guidance, we produced a beautiful show with four wonderfully talented cast members. Those four shined in their moment and the world really did see what we can do when we put our minds to it.
Personally, I was able to share this experience with some great people and one of my sons. I was able to go to the country where my ancestors lived. Even though that was not the focus of my journey, it was still in the back of my mind as I saw the fantastic architecture and countryside. The history was incredible, along with the people, and we were able to add to that four outstanding performances on a worldwide stage at the 75th Fringe Festival. It’s a memory I won’t forget and I’m hoping for a journey I can do again.
Arnise Roberson
The Legacy Arts Group trip to the 2022 Fringe Festival was phenomenal! The students did an amazing job and really brought culture and color to all of the spaces they had an opportunity to grace. They had multiple packed houses and standing ovations for performances that gave a small glimpse into the life of a teen growing up in the Twin Cities and experiencing Covid Lock Down, the Murder of George Floyd and their own levels of teen anxiety! They were definitely ambassadors for our area and stood out amongst all of the performers in their category. I am so proud of each of them. As a school counselor, this experience was an example of how to connect the dots between passion and interest.
Samuel Wilbur
I was constantly inspired by the talent, energy, and passion of the Legacy Arts Group cast. It was such a thrill to see all the hard work and dedication payoff at the largest performing arts festival in the world. There were a lot of great plays at the 2022 Fringe Festival, but the Beautiful Ugly had a powerful message that touched every audience member in its path. Whether it was a performance on the streets of Edinburgh to tourists passing by, or in a packed house at Central Hall, people were moved by its beauty and rawness. It was such a joy to watch the play take shape over the last few years and see the cast grow, bond, and thrive. As an educator, these are the opportunities young artists need to prove to themselves and the world that they have what it takes. It was an honor to witness and be a part of Legacy Arts Group.
Walking to the legendary Shaekspere’s Globe Theater in London
Frank Sentwali Gardner
As a parent, chaperone, theater enthusiast, and lover of culture, the Legacy Arts Group journey to the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival was truly an experience of a lifetime. I was able to witness our students put forth their absolute best as performers and ambassadors for, not only their families and community, but the entire state of Minnesota. They brought diversity and culture and a taste of the urban Twin Cities experience to consistently packed audiences. The overwhelmingly positive and powerful feedback from audience members of all generations and cultural backgrounds was a testament to the student’s ability to bring a universal human element to a Minneapolis story. Their use of Spoken Word poetry, comedy, improv, original songwriting, live musicianship, dramatic dance choreography, and riveting monologue dealing with topics ranging from family struggles, George Floyd protest and response, distance learning, and the normal pressures of being Black teenagers had every audience laughing and crying throughout the play. But, for as much as I enjoyed watching the youth impact audiences with The Beautiful Ugly, perhaps what I most enjoyed was watching them absorb the experience of being on another continent- in another country. I’ll never forget the spectacle of the Royal Tattoo, or the girl’s kicking off Karaoke night singing “Dancing Queen” with pure unbridled joy. Or, walking down an Edinburgh street and after hearing the backfire of a car, one of the young men saying to me, “I didn’t even think for one second that was gun fire because I know guns aren’t allowed here. It feels so free to walk down the streets and feel safe”. From the long rehearsals to the fundraising events to seemingly simple things like getting their first passport, the trip to the Edinburgh Fringe was a life experience that I know these youth will never forget. Through Ms. French’s guidance they learned how to never give up, to believe in the face of doubt, and that they have a community here willing to support their dreams and goals. With so many moving parts and so much help from so many people, Edinburgh Fringe 2022 was something I will cherish for the rest of my life- for the memories made for me and the life experience it offered to my daughter.
Judah Gardner
Traveling to the UK to be a part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was an incredible experience that I will never forget. There are so many things I got to do that I had never done before; fly on a plane, travel out of the country, stay in a college dorm, busk on the streets, eat fried Brie, see a castle, and of course, perform an original play on a different continent. Each of our shows, we were met by people who genuinely cared about our message, and who wanted to see or learn more. And, we got to see the stories of others our age, and connect with them. Finally being there after working towards it for two years was amazing, and the overwhelmingly positive response to the show was
so rewarding.
Danielle Roberson
I think that this trip was one of the most amazing things I could’ve ever done to learn more about what I love. Every night with a different audience, energies, and after-show talks. It felt good to know we are giving a glimpse of how we live; they’ll hopefully understand a little bit more about who we are as people. I feel like this experience has just opened my eyes to many more art forms than just theater. Whether it be architecture or people we meet on the street, it’s all so beautiful. This was truly a trip I’ll never forget. Also, as I continue to study theater in college I can look back at this for inspiration. So of course I wanted to thank our sponsors for helping us make this happen.
Antonio Brooks
My experience during the trip was constant excitement for the opportunity. I got to see so many things and get educated on pieces of history. The plays I watched all left a major impact on my character but most importantly, I got to watch my work touch people that don’t deal with the issues the play forces them to think about.
Moziah Thomas
Feel like it was a great opportunity to not only get our name out there, but to say that Minneapolis has a lot of talent, and we deserve to be at the table. I was so proud to say that every show was packed and every show had a standing ovation. It was amazing to see that kind of support in a totally different country. Life changing. There is no other way to explain it.
Central Hall Studio pre-show check in
Tamiko French
Community, We did it! You saw an opportunity to impact a group of young people that demonstrated a passion for performing and a mission for bringing originality and authenticity to stage. You made my vision and mission a reality! We survived a PANDEMIC, the public murder of George Floyd, and the total upheaval of our city. WE DID NOT GIVE UP DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS! You gave us the opportunity to show what is possible when you act on your belief. We were rewarded because of that audacious belief! You gave us the opportunity to be the first All Black Performance Group! The First Black Female Director! And the FIRST Minneapolis group to perform in the 28 years American High School Theater Festival has been taking students to perform in the Fringe! We received the first recognition of the most packed house and standing ovations for a 2 week running show in the history of the program!
We shared a very bittersweet layering of our moments, thoughts and memories that translate to every inner city neighborhood across America. You helped a Minneapolis native product of the Minneapolis Public School District pay it forward to our next generation of brave new art makers. What we were able to do in 2 weeks with the world coming to our shows just gives me a glow. I am more on fire to share this experience with more of our educators and young theater groups. This opportunity not only gave us a real in depth first hand account of the world view of arts in action, but it provided students with 3 free college credits for writing down their experiences and process, educators credits for production and training, and most of all, networking relationships to expand and grow. This was one step in the direction of closing the opportunity and access gap for our community.
You just don’t know how much this means to me to feel this accomplishment come to fruition. To feel the energy and emotion of my group making the connections of all the work we put in to being on the ground showing they have what it takes to be with the handpicked talented cohort from all over the USA! I am so grateful! I thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
I am also happy to share with you that we have been asked back for 2024 AND I, Ms. French now sit on the Board of Directors of the American High School Theater Festival! All we needed was an opportunity. We gave it all we had, and now we have the door open to bring more. AND IT’S BECAUSE OF YOU! OUR AMAZING DONORS! I am so excited to have another chance to build this with the youth and share the journey with you!