Photo Credit: ALEXANDRA LEVINSON
BY JACKIE WEISER
Junior Samantha Hall and freshman Sarah Sharpe are expressing their love for the arts by representing Cooper City High School through a unique program called Broward Teen Ambassadors.
As Broward Teen Ambassadors, Hall and Sharpe get the opportunity to review shows at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and share their reviews with others through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The Broward Teen Ambassador program provides an outlet for students to explore and experience live performances and enrich their passion for the arts
“At first we expected a bunch of student performers to sign up for the program,” Broward Center Director of Sales Bill Montgomery said. “But it turned out to be just a bunch of kids who are passionate about writing and theater.”
This is Hall’s second year as a Broward Teen Ambassador and she thoroughly enjoys it. She has always had an appreciation for the arts, ever since her family introduced her to the theater at a young age.
“I’ve been in theater groups and I’ve done theater programs,” Hall said. “My whole family and I have always enjoyed the arts.”
Sharpe has been performing in shows since she was six years old, including multiple roles in CCHS’s production of West Side Story this year. After seeing show reviews from previous teen ambassadors, Sharpe knew she wanted in.
“I love sharing the arts with the world,” Sharpe said. “The arts are dying and that’s really sad.”
Hall and Sharpe also get special benefits from being a Teen Ambassador. Besides watching shows at the Broward Center, they get the opportunity to have backstage tours, speak with performers and watch dress rehearsals.
“I got to sit in the sound booth and hear backstage cues at Beauty and the Beast,” Sharpe said. “It was really cool.”
Through promoting shows on social networking sites, the Teen Ambassadors are responsible for increasing sales of student tickets by over 200%. The Broward Center sold 509 student rush tickets to Beauty and the Beast, exceeding rush ticket sales from any single production last year.
The Broward Teen Ambassador program is also a great way to make connections and meet people who share a mutual appreciation for the arts.
“I love all of the people involved,” Sharpe said. “I have made so many connections and it’s definitely a great experience.”
