J.P. Taravella High School’s student presentation of Ragtime was chosen as one of five full length musicals to be presented during the Mainstage Production at the Florida State Thespian Society 2015 Festival, which is held in April, at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa. The Mainstage Production showcases outstanding theatre productions in secondary schools throughout Florida. In past years, J.P. Taravella High has been granted this same honor for its productions of Les Miserables, Disney's Beauty and The Beast and On the Town.

In addition, 11^th grade student, Dashawn Perry, playing the role of Coalhouse and 12^th grade student, Leanne Antonio, playing the role of Sarah, are nominated as finalists for the Broadway Star of the Future award. The award was created by the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, and is given to one male and one female high school student in recognition of their outstanding performances in a musical theater production. The winners will be announced during the closing ceremony of the 2015 Festival.

Also performing at the 2015 Festival is, J.P. Taravella student, Melissa Lawrence, who was selected to represent Broward County Public Schools at the opening ceremony, with her performance of And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going from Dream Girls.  

To raise money for the 2015 Festival’s Mainstage Production trip to Tampa, students will host two benefit performances on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2015, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.seatyourself.biz/jpt.