Medfield Students to Perform at Walt Disney World

Medfield students Erica McLaughlin, Alex Vancura and Nicole Vancura are among more than 30 local students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) who will travel to Walt Disney World during the April school vacation week to perform for Disney audiences and participate in master classes led by professional Disney performers, choreographers and directors.

Sisters Alex and Nicole Vancura are members of FSPA’s musical theater troupe Broadway Bound, while Erica McLaughlin performs with Broadway Light. Along with FSPA’s CenterStage dance company, the troupes will perform on April 14 and 17 at Downtown Disney’s Waterside Stage. Students will also audition for the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and participate in Disney Dancin’ and Disney Sings workshops.

FSPA performing troupe and dance company members are selected at the beginning of each academic year by audition. These troupes offer outstanding training and performing opportunities throughout the year for the most committed and talented students.

In preparation for the trip, FSPA presented a Disney Showcase on Saturday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Franklin Lodge of Elks, 1077 Pond St. In addition to the Disney-bound ensembles, Disney Showcase also features the musical theater troupe BLT2, with younger FSPA students, and FSPA’s junior dance ensemble Next Step. Musical theater ensembles will be accompanied by FSPA’s resident rhythm section, including FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer, drummer and faculty member Kenny Hadley, as well as bassist and house arranger Mark Poniatowski and guitarist Mark White, both of the Berklee College of Music. Ticket proceeds helped defray travel and workshop expenses for the Disney-bound performers.