Meet the BRIDGES Project
The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge is thrilled to announce that we have been selected by the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) to perform at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival—the world’s largest and most prestigious theatre festival held annually in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Created by the Arts Council, the BRIDGES Project is a regional youth theatre program designed to unite high school students from across our 10-parish service area. Its mission is to “bridge” communities, perspectives, and young artists through collaborative theatre-making and cultural exchange.
Through auditions and workshops, the Arts Council assembled a diverse ensemble of student performers who now make up the BRIDGES troupe. These young artists will not only take the stage internationally, but also serve as cultural representatives of Louisiana.
About the Show: Soundscapes
The students will present Soundscapes, a visually rich, emotionally resonant coming-of-age story.
Soundscapes follows Iris, a teenager with synesthesia, a neurological condition in which senses blend—music is seen in color, sounds are felt in shape. At first, Iris thinks everyone experiences the world this way, but as she grows older, she learns that her perception is unique. Struggling with isolation and difference, her world begins to shift when she meets a friend who shares her experience. Together, they learn to embrace who they are.
Directed by Chris Adams, the Arts Council’s Director of Technical Operations and BRIDGES Program Director, and featuring musical arrangements by Mike Esneault, Director of Arts in Education, Soundscapes is an ensemble-driven piece full of color, movement, and emotion.
Honored as Cultural Ambassadors
In recognition of their role in sharing Louisiana’s vibrant culture abroad, the BRIDGES student troupe was officially named Cultural Ambassadors of Louisiana by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser during a ceremony at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center on July 15, 2025.
This honor highlights the impact of youth arts education and the importance of Louisiana’s presence on the global creative stage.
Catch a Performance Before They Go
Before the troupe departs for Scotland, they’ll offer two U.S. performances:
Friday, July 18 at 3:00 PM – Teche Theatre, Franklin, LA
Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 PM – Hartley/Vey Studio Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA
They’ll leave for Scotland on July 25 to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for two weeks in front of international audiences, joining thousands of performers from around the globe.
A Community Effort
The BRIDGES Project would not be possible without the generous support of our co-producer Shell, and the collaboration of dedicated educators, artists, and staff who believe in the power of performance to change lives.
