Students from all the high schools in Woodbury, as well as those who live in Woodbury but are enrolled in public schools outside the city’s boundaries, will participate in the Hennepin Arts Showcase with performances on June 8 and 9.

Spotlight Showcase celebrates student achievement in theater performance, technical theater, student journalism and musical performance after a year of participation in Hennepin Arts’ statewide Spotlight Education program.

Hennepin Arts’ Spotlight Education program annually serves nearly 8,000 students at more than 100 high schools throughout Minnesota. The statewide program supplements theater education through production assessments, workshops, arts journalism opportunities and access to theater professionals from Minnesota and Broadway.

“These students step onto the State Theatre stage and work alongside professional artists, directors and technicians in an experience that mirrors the professional theater world,” Andrea Mokros, interim CEO of Hennepin Arts, said. “As a nonprofit organization serving communities across Minnesota, creating these opportunities for students statewide is central to our mission. Whether they dream of performing on Broadway, working behind the scenes or simply discovering their voice and confidence, Spotlight Showcase celebrates their creativity, dedication and courage while showing them what’s possible.”

More than 1,000 students who performed in a play or musical this school year that received honorable recognition in an assessment by Hennepin Arts will perform excerpts from their own shows and participate in ensembles with other winners under the direction of theater professionals.

Tickets are available for the June 8 show, which includes students from Tartan High School, as well as the June 9 performance, which includes students from New Life Academy, Math and Science Academy, and East Ridge High School.