By the time Up with People’s Cast B 2013 leaves King County after their performances at the Auburn Performing Arts Center on Sept. 20 and 21 a number of local young people will begin the process of planning for their won tour with a future Up with People cast.
Each year hundreds of young men and women between the ages of 17-29 apply to join the international, educational and cultural program for a one or two semester experience that visits diverse communities on a multi-continent tour.
“Travel with a purpose. Perform for thousands. Impact communities. These are the foundational elements Up with People provides young people in our unique global education program,” Colleen Eastman, manager of enrollment for Up with People, said.
“During the past four decades, over 21,000 participants who have traveled in Up with People have gone on to become enthusiastic leaders in their communities and the world,” said Eastman. “Equipped with the life skills and broad perspectives learned ‘on the road,’ they have made tremendous differences through a wide variety of diverse career and life choices and have truly become global citizens. We hope future casts will include young ambassadors from King County.”
Each participant will have the opportunity to travel, live and learn with 100 fellow cast members from an average of 20 different countries requiring them to work cooperatively while exploring the similarities and differences of people from other nations, religions and cultures. A typical semester tour will take participants to more than 20 cities on a multi-region odyssey experiencing the languages, sights and cultural experiences unique to each region visited.
The Up with People program also provides the opportunity for participants to live with and learn from host families in the communities they visit, gaining a personal perspective of day-to-day life inthat corner of the world while sharing lifestyles and experiences.
Social responsibility and dedication to community service are core to the mission and character of the Up with People program. As such, local service projects are an integral part of the cast’s time in each city they visit. By giving back through these activities and projects, participants develop insights into the importance of identifying and addressing local needs.
Up with People was founded on the principle of utilizing the international language of music as a means to communicate and inspire people. In each city the cast visits, participants perform in a vibrant and inspiring musical stage show in the community.
Although musical talent and performance ability are welcome, individual selection is based on a personal interview rather than an audition. Important consideration is given to a candidate’s character and maturity. To apply, candidates must be between the ages of 17 and 29, in good health, a high school graduate or equivalent and able to fully participate in all aspects of the program.
For those interested in learning more about traveling with a future Up with People cast, a special backstage tour and the opportunity to meet members of the cast and staff will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 21
Tickets are $20 and are on now sale on our website: www.upwithpeople.org/auburn or with one of the sponsoring Rotary Clubs (Auburn, Covington, Burien, Southcenter, Enumclaw).
