A dozen students make dream trip to New York City | Arts & Culture

CENTER CITY - Twelve local high school students were able to go on the trip of a lifetime thanks to a new Blumenthal Performing Arts Center program.

The Doctor Family Foundation sponsored a dozen students to have the opportunity to experience Broadway firsthand, from the thrill of the performance on stage to the chance to go backstage and visit with the cast. 

Three local schools were chosen: Porter Ridge High School (Union County); Renaissance School at Olympic High School and Northwest School of the Arts, both Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The students went this past weekend and saw several Broadway shows, got backstage tours, and met with New York City producers to learn more about the theater business.

They also got a chance to visit other popular New York City attractions, such as Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall.

The participating students include Matthew Carlson, Deveney Franklin, Sara Reinecke and Kyron Turner from Northwest School of the Arts, Brianna Billiot, Devante Lawrence, Leah Morgan and Luke Tucker from Porter Ridge High School and Keith Brown, Jesse Gonzalez, Kassandra Infante and Laura Kogos from Olympic High School.