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‘Bat Boy’ plays North Springs this weekend, Edinburgh next year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This weekend and next, you can see why North Springs High School has been invited to Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe - twice. The performing arts magnet school in Sandy Springs opens “Bat Boy: The Musical” tonight, and it’s in the process of trying to raise $250,000 to take the show to the Fringe next summer.
I saw a technical rehearsal and run-through of the first act last night, and was impressed and amazed by the quality of the work and the provocative choice of material. No “Oklahoma!” or “My Fair Lady” for these edgy kids.
“Every year they try to get me fired,” Principal Vicky L. Ferguson joked of the racy selection. “Last year, they did ‘Urinetown.’ “
Ferguson said one reason the performing arts program is so successful is because her faculty members are working theater professionals. “Bat Boy” director Brian Kimmel is a founding member of Out of Hand Theatre, and technical director Marty Aikens is a founder of Jack in the Black Box. Both Out of Hand and Jack in the Black Box are relatively young intown ensembles whose adventurous programming have won them notice in recent years.
Aikens tells me that North Springs students frequently move on to such top-notch performing arts universities as Northwestern and New York University. “We have a real jewel here, hidden away in Sandy Springs, where kids can major in acting, tech theater, dance, film, orchestra, voice, etc., and receive an entire four years of training in any of those subject areas,” Aikens said via email. It’s “more intense than some college programs.”
You can catch “Bat Boy” - starring junior Greg Kamp as the fangy, blood-sucking half-bat half-boy - tonight at 7, Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.
Next weekend, the school will present a cut version of the show that it plans to enter in the Georgia Theatre Conference’s one-act competition. Those shows are Friday-Sunday at 7 p.m.
North Springs - now known officially as the North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences — is at 7447 Roswell Road, at the intersection of Roswell and Dalrymple. 770-551-2490. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Comments
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By One
October 5, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Go Spartans!!!! My daughter is a sophomore, dual magnet (piano and math) major! The trip from South Fulton to North Springs is more than worth it every day!!!!
By Six Majors
October 5, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
My daughter is a senior, dual magnet - drama and visual arts. Her experiences in both these areas parallel anything I did in college. Watching drama, choral and dance students prepare for a performance is to watch a professional, gifted, focused and amazing group work like their life depended on the success of the show. They are to be commended and the shows are a “must see”.
By carl
October 5, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
My son is a techie with the production and if hard work is any indication of talent and success, this will be an amazing performance. Let’s cheer these dedicated young adults and their passion for their work!
By Spartan Mom
October 5, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
We are huge supporters of the arts and magnet programs offered at North Springs. My oldest daughter was a dance major and ended up in NYC. Her younger sister has followed in her footsteps and is a freshman in the dual program; drama and math and science. She is a cast member in the Bat Boy production and is thrilled to death to be a part. Good Luck! Congratulations and see you in Scotland!
By Derek
October 5, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
20 year alum from North Springs. So glad to hear that the school is thriving, albeit, in a different format.
By Peter
October 5, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Very cool show. Happy to see the review in the AJC. We’ve got tickets for tomorrow night’s show.
By Peter
October 5, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Very cool show. Happy to see the review in the AJC. We’ve got tickets for tomorrow night’s show.
By missy
October 5, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
I am very proud to have my daughter attend North Springs! Indeed, THE jewel of Sandy Springs.
By Betty
October 5, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Thank you for noticing and reviewing our public high school’s theatrical production. North Springs students have worked hard and I am thrilled to see their efforts being recognized and lauded.
By Lyman
October 5, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
My wife and I have sent four children to North Springs over the years and currently have a senior in the math/science magnet and a junior in the math/science and music magnets. Even during years when none of my children were currently at North Springs we tried to attend as many of their productions as possible.
By Peter May
October 5, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Marty Aikens is nothing short of a genius and has inspired many talented students to reach as far as their creativity and work ethic can take them. Brian Kimmel is a gifted director and works extremely well with young people. The productions at this school often rival what you might see at the Fox or, sometimes, even on Broadway. Don’t miss this show.
By Vicky Ferguson
October 5, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
I am the principal of North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences, and I couldn’t be prouder of the students, the directors, and the parents. The theater that these magnet students and directors produce every year truly amazes me.They couldn’t do it without the support of the parents. Brian Kimmel, Marty Aikens, Eileen Edwards, Mike Brown, and Van Craven are extremely talented directors, and it shows in the production of Bat Boy.
How lucky our students are to work with such talented directors!
By Lea
October 5, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
My son attends North Springs as a freshman in the dual magnet of drama and science. We moved form Gwinett County where he attended a private school just so he could attend North Springs and be in the magnet program. We are extremely impressed with the school and the teachers. There is a strong emphasis on college prep and achievement. It is so neat to find a high school that has avenues other than sports for kids to achieve recognition and shine!
I will be attending Bat Boy along with all the future shows. We saw a performance last year and it rivaled many professional shows!
By Aunt Nancy
October 5, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
MacKenzie Devlin ROCKS!!!
By techie mom
October 5, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
I just came from the opening night performance of Bat Boy and was blown away. The talent and creativity of the students and staff provide a show well worth the drive “outside the perimeter”. It’s no surprise that these kids have been invited back to the Fringe festival.
By Mo
October 6, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
I am ecstatic to see such an awesome review of our show in AJC, it’s so awesome! These past few weeks have been incredible to be a part of, and to watch the show progress from what it was 6 weeks ago to what it is now. I adore everyone in the cast, crew, pit, and every single one of our directors! I hope everyone comes to see this super fantastic show!
By Bat Boy fan
October 6, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this
On to the Fringe! We saw the show last night and couldn’t have been more impressed with the talent and passion these kids have for performing. The acting, musical orchestration and tech crew are clearly unlike anything you have ever seen at the high school level. Kimmel, Aikens, Edwards, Young and Craven are dedicated teachers that the kids are crazy about and parents can be proud of as they mentor these kids. Bat Boy needs your support. Check it out and be a patron of our local arts scene.
By Bat Boy fan
October 6, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
On to the Fringe! We saw the show last night and couldn’t have been more impressed with the talent and passion these kids have for performing. The acting, musical orchestration and tech crew are clearly unlike anything you have ever seen at the high school level. Kimmel, Aikens, Edwards, Young and Craven are dedicated teachers that the kids are crazy about and parents can be proud of as they mentor these kids. Bat Boy needs your support. Check it out and be a patron of our local arts scene.
By Mrs. Taylor
October 6, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
I would just like to say thanks to everyone that comes and supports North Springs productions! It means so much to us that people enjoy the shows we put so much hardwork and time into. I love being a part of Bat Boy with such phenomenal directors, cast, crew, and pit. Thanks again to everyone that makes shows at North Springs possible!
~Stacia Hitt~
By Eryn stinks
October 6, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
go mo.
By Rick Edwards
October 6, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
I strongly support the Arts at North Springs High School. Last year I saw “Urinetown” and was amazed at what high school students could do, especially with an unconventional topic.
By Derek Korn
October 6, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Wow, sounds like fun but very little notice. I live around the corner and didn’t know we had such talented community of young people. Why not extend the production in order to raise the money?
By Chelsea
October 7, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
Saw the show last night—one of the best I’ve ever seen done, by North Springs or anyone. Kudos to everyone in the drama and music departments who helped put it together…please help with publicity, North Springs has got so much going on but so many people don’t know about us. Absolutely go see BatBoy, and come back in Feb. and April for Noises Off and Fiddler on the Roof as well.
By Yvette Greene, Magnet Program Coordinator
October 7, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to the cast, crew and directors of “Bat Boy.” The show was amazing! Our teachers have mastered the art of “thinking outside the box.” Each year they raise the bar a little higher and our tremendously talented students are always up for the challenge. The teachers and students have such a passion for what they are doing. Their dedication to the magnet program never ceases to amaze me. I am very proud to be able to work with such a talented group of students and professionals.
We appreciate our wonderful parents and all who have spend countless hours supporting our efforts over the years. We could not do half of what we do without you.
Thank you AJC for providing an opportunity for the community to learn more about some of the wonderful experiences our students are having at North Springs.
By Kafia
October 8, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this
As a class of 1998 graduate, I am so proud of the students, parents, faculty and staff that continue to make North Springs a top notch school. Keep up the good work!
By J Jones
October 8, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
I am so proud of everyone involved. You never cease to amaze me! Looking forward to another wonderful show!
By CMaddux
October 8, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
This is one of the best kept secrets in Atlanta. The productions at North Springs are some of the best I’ve been to in the Metro Area (Fox, Alliance & GET included) and at a fraction of the cost. We were introduced to them through my son who is a math/science magnet student there, but plan to continue to attend due to the high calibre!
By BYUGIRL
October 8, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
GREAT JOB! My neice attends North Springs and she loves it. She looks forward to school. GREAT SCHOOL - DOING GREAT THINGS!!!!
By Ed
October 8, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to North Springs. It is great to see a batch of comments that are ALL positive and supportive. From what I have been told this group of students and instructors certainly deserve the praise!!!
By A proud mom
October 10, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
My freshman daughter attended a private school in Atlanta for 9 years prior to going to highschool at North Springs. Her involvement with the production of Bat Boy has made this transition so worthwhile. Not only has she excelled in her performing skills, but she has also maintained high enough grades to be on Honor Roll!! She loves her new school,teachers and friends. SCOTLAND HERE WE COME!!!