Before performing overseas, a new touring company has set up shop in East Nashville for practices, and give back to a local high school in the process.
Cast members of the hit show Blast! The Music of Disney have began practicing in East Nashville Magnet High School before going on tour.
The show has been booked in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.The cast will spend the summer rehearsing at the school.
In exchange for using the high school's gym and other facilities, the production company has given the high school's band program $5,000 and allowed students to observe, engage, and interact with the performers.
On Wednesday, TPAC along with Mayor Megan Barry and Consul-General Masami Kinefuchi of Japan offered cast members a little southern hospitality by hosing a welcome luncheon.
The summer practices were moved to Tennessee as part of a collaboration between Kyodo Tokyo, the show's production company, TPAC and Metro Schools.