The Bonny Eagle High School drama club is casting a play for a world theater festival stage in August 2008 in bonny old Scotland.

The drama group was selected by the American High School Theater Festival in Scotland, which is staged in conjunction with the larger Fringe Festival in Edinburgh.

Bonny Eagle is the only high school in Maine selected to perform there this year and only the third ever from this state. “We were thrilled,” Rick Osann, director of Bonny Eagle High School theater, said recently.

The theater group is one of 60 picked to participate from 250 U.S. schools nominated by college faculties and theater professionals. The nomination was a surprise and Osann, who called it a “terrific honor,” did not know who submitted Bonny Eagle.

Osann said the Fringe Festival is the largest performing arts festival in the world. He said most of the theater groups performing in the festival were professionals from countries including South Africa, Japan, Korea and Israel.

In Scotland, Bonny Eagle theater will stage the comedy “Tom Jones.”

They will produce the show for local audiences before traveling abroad. “They’ll be well practiced,” Osann said.

Bonny Eagle senior Ashleigh Higgins said the 75-minute production, which will be cast this fall, promises to be unique. “With our set this year, we’re going to be unique,” Higgins said. “The people are going to be the sets.”

Osann said the production includes musicians and support staff besides the cast. Each member of the troupe will carry two suitcases, one with props and costumes.

“Our kids will perform four times in Fringe Festival theater spaces,” Osann said.

The 12-day trip includes two days in London. Osann said the group would see a show in London’s West End, the theatre district, besides sightseeing.

But the Bonny Eagle High School theater group needs help to go. After accepting the invitation, the group of 25 Bonny Eagle students has embarked on a campaign to raise cash to make the trip to Edinburgh.

Higgins’ father Dennis said the group needs about $120,000. The cost is estimated to be $4,600 for each student. “They have to earn their right to go,” Higgins said.

Osann said the group received the invitation in May and launched a fundraising drive this summer.

To draw attention, the students built a parade float and sold snow cones at fairs in Buxton and Standish. They raised $1,500 this summer.

“We have a long ways to go,” Osann said.

The group is seeking corporate sponsors, producing talent shows, a mystery-dinner theater and writing grants besides other events that include an auction on Nov. 2.

They hope to raise enough so each student can go. Three graduates are returning to assist the theater troupe in the venture.

Ashleigh Higgins said fundraising is a huge effort by students and parents. “We think it’ll be a great experience and we really need the community support,” she said.

The group’s local plans to raise awareness include performances for civic and church groups. Osann said an aim of the theater program is to connect with the community. “Our goal is bigger than just the experience of going to the festival,” Osann said. “We’re getting kids connected to the community.”

Bonny Eagle senior Courtney Bruce, who will work backstage handling props, fixing hair and putting on makeup for their production, is looking forward to visiting Europe and meeting other people. “In London, I want to see Big Ben and ride on a double-decker bus,” Bruce said. “I’m excited.”

Those willing to help should contact Osann at 929-3840 or e-mail [email protected]

Cutline (BEHS drama) ustin Adams, Katie Saulle, Brian McCarthy, Britney Bruce, Bobby Michaud, Megan Wallace, Alyssa Avery and Andrew Cardimone. Higgins said Adams, Avery and Cardimone are graduates but making the trip abroad to assist.