BELLA BLACKSHAW FROM SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL 2016-2017 SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION TRIPLE THREAT FINALIST

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST NAMES BELLA BLACKSHAW 
FROM SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL AS A 2016-2017 SPOTLIGHT
EDUCATION TRIPLE THREAT FINALIST

Triple Threat Award winners will be announced after performing in the Spotlight
Showcase on Monday, June 12 at the State Theatre in Minneapolis

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today the 2016-2017 Triple Threat Award finalists recognized for their accomplishments and community leadership while participating in the Trust’s Spotlight Education program. The winners will be announced at the 12th annual Spotlight Showcase June 12-
13 at the historic State Theatre (805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis).

Spotlight Education engages Minnesota high school students in the performing arts, as the flagship
education program of the Trust. Laura Osnes, a Minnesota native, Broadway performer and former
Spotlight Education participant, is the program’s 2016-2017 spokesperson.

The Trust will recognize outstanding individual achievement through The Triple Threat Award for junior or senior high school students who excel in singing, acting and dancing. More than 80 students submitted application portfolios. The number of applicants was narrowed down to a group of 40 semi-finalists who were invited to audition for a panel of local artists and Trust staff members. Twenty-four students were chosen as finalists.



Bella Blackshaw from Minneapolis has been chosen as a Triple Threat Award finalist. She performed the role of Betsy in Southwest High School’s production of Sweet Charity. Bella is 16 years old and is a junior at Southwest High School. She has been an active member in theatre at Southwest since freshman year.

Some of her favorite roles include Betsy in Sweet Charity, Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a hot box dancer in Guys and Dolls, and more. Bella has been on the honor roll at Southwest all the years that she has been there and has had the opportunity to student direct the fall play as well. She is very excited and grateful for this opportunity.

The Triple Threat Award finalists will perform at the Spotlight Showcase each night and the top male
and female finalists will be named a Triple Threat Award winner. The four winners will be honored with the Spotlight Education Triple Threat Broadway Experience, presented by Sun Country Airlines. The Triple Threat Broadway Experience is an all-expenses paid trip to New York City to meet with industry professionals, participate in workshops and attend Broadway shows.  Belle as one on yhe 12 finalists will be performing on Monday, June 12.

One of last year’s Triple Threat Award winners, Christine Hwang (Minnetonka High School) will mentor the finalists during the week leading up to Spotlight Showcase. She will also perform each night.

Now in its 12th year, Spotlight Education provides valuable educational, performing and creative
experiences for more than 5,000 students in 87 schools throughout the state. These activities help foster essential lifelong skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving and self-expression. Through Spotlight Education, students enrolled in their high school musical theatre programs receive professional training and guidance to enhance their artistic, technical and performing skills. The wide ranging program’s four key components are masterclasses, Critical Review, production assessments and Spotlight Showcase.

The Spotlight Showcase is set for June 12-13 at the historic State Theatre and will highlight the hard work and talents of 1,400 of the state’s finest musical theatre students and programs with live performances and honors including the Triple Threat Award announcements. Schools and students are also recognized for excellence in categories including individual performance, overall productions and technical achievement.

The two-night event celebrates the theme of “A Place to Call Home” because, for many students, the
theatre becomes a home, a place where they can connect, create, grow and learn lifelong skills. The
theme is brought to life through song, dance and stories from current Spotlight students, alumni and
special guests.

Tickets for the Spotlight Showcase are on sale now at the State Theatre Box Office, charge-by-phone at (800) 982-2787 and online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Monday June 12, 7 p.m. State Theatre $18
Tuesday June 13, 7 p.m. State Theatre $18

For a complete list of participating schools and honors, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org
Spotlight Showcase is made possible by Slumberland Furniture.  The Spotlight Education Triple Threat Broadway Experience is presented by Sun Country Airlines.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST is a nonprofit organization that creates positive change through the arts by bringing together people, businesses and organizations in WeDo™, the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District. We serve the community through our four theatres – the Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century – and our unique arts, culture and education programs. Learn more at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and wedompls.org.