Framingham, Mass. – June 25, 2009 – Whole Foods Market is firing up the grill to help send the Framingham High School Drama Company (FHS-DC) to Scotland in 2010. FHS-DC was selected recently to perform and represent the U.S. at the world’s largest and most prestigious arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe.

“We’ll be serving up delicious summer foods, and all proceeds from the day’s sales will go to the Framingham High School Drama Company,” says Pirjo Silen, Marketing Team Leader, Whole Foods Framingham. “FHS-DC is raising funds for their upcoming theater trip to Scotland. Every cent spent counts, so bring your friends and family! ”

The lunch-time event is open to all, and will feature:

- Musical entertainment

- FHS students offering face painting for children

- A special appearance by the school mascot and students dressed in other fun costumes

- Fresh food from the grill, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and other tasty treats

WHO: Whole Foods Market, FHS students, and members of the local community

WHEN: Saturday, July 4th – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Whole Foods Market, 575 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701

About Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market is committed to supporting its local communities. Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, America’s first national certified organic grocer, and was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. In fiscal year 2008, the Company had sales of approximately $8 billion and currently has 280 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs more than 53,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 12 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by Fortune magazine.

About the Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Festival

The Festival includes more than 1,800 different performances of music, theatre, dance, and comedy during its three-week run. The whole city of Edinburgh becomes a stage and visitors can view performances everywhere – from playgrounds to conference rooms to city parks to houses of worship. FHS Drama Company’s performance will be showcased at the American High School Theatre venue. For more info on the festival, go to www.ahstf.com.

About FHS Drama Company

FHS-DC is fundraising to help as many members of Drama Company as possible to go to Scotland in August 2010 for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Potential sponsors should call Director Donna Wresinski at 508-620-4963 x1604 – or e-mail fhsdcscotland@gmail.com for further information.

As part of FHS-DC, Framingham High students of all levels can watch, learn from, and participate with professionals as they work on dance, music, design, playwriting, and directing. Director Donna Wresinski fashions Drama Company after college programs, so that students learn from the best – far beyond the typical high school curriculum. This professional outreach and infusion – along with an open door policy to include every student in FHS-DC – separates Framingham from other high school programs. The group produces several plays each year, and most recently won the following awards and honors:

• Five-time state finalist and 2006 winner of the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild (MHSDG ) award for “Tales of Trickery”

• Represented Massachusetts at the 2006 New England Drama Festival (along with Wellesley High School) and was honored by the State Legislature at the Massachusetts State House

• 2007 MHSDG State Finals, performing "Stories Gone Wilde," a stage adaptation of five Oscar Wilde short stories

• In 2009, “Once on This Island” won seven (out of nine) awards – including Best Musical – at the North Shore Music Theatre Spotlight Awards, plus the MOSS HART Award

• In 2009, “¡Bocon!” – a Spanish folktale about a boy who loses his voice – garnered numerous awards, including those for excellence in acting, lighting, and set design

• In June 2009, selected to perform in Scotland as part of the prestigious 2010 American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

###