Ella Scarborough '26: Taking the Stage in Edinburgh
May 8, 2026
This past summer, Ella Scarborough ’26 had the opportunity to take the stage on an international platform, performing in an original production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland as part of the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF).
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest performing arts festival in the world, bringing together artists and audiences from across the globe. Through AHSTF, select high school theatre programs are invited to perform based on their artistic achievement, community involvement, and the strength of their application. Ella and a group of ESD students were among those chosen to represent their program abroad.
For Ella, the experience marked an important milestone in her time in theatre.
“This was my first production to have lines in, so it was a completely different experience than past shows,” she shared.
Performing in Edinburgh offered a new perspective—not only in terms of scale, but also in setting. Moving from the Bray Performance Hall to an international venue allowed Ella and her castmates to experience theatre in a broader context while sharing their work with a global audience.
During the festival, the production received the Kelpie Command Award, an honor recognizing the cast’s kindness, collaborative spirit, and ability to seamlessly transform between multiple roles throughout the performance. Inspired by Scotland’s mythical shape-shifting kelpies, the award celebrated the ensemble’s adaptability and strong sense of community on and off the stage. Ella, alongside fellow student Thuy An, accepted the award on behalf of the cast.
“Our production received this award because they thought that our play embodied The Kelpies in Scotland because of its fantasy element, which is similar to the mythical nature of The Kelpies,” Ella said.
Beyond the performance itself, the experience was shaped by the time spent preparing and traveling together. Rehearsals throughout the summer allowed the cast to build strong connections, which continued to grow once they arrived overseas.
“I got to know my castmates and Mrs. Redmond, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Snyder better through the rehearsal process during the summer, and even more so once we were across the pond,” she said. “It was really fun being able to connect with them while sightseeing in London and exploring Edinburgh.”
In the Upper School, the Performing Arts Program provides students with the opportunity to hone their craft in the performing arts. Through theatre, students are encouraged to express themselves, collaborate, and take part in meaningful performance experiences both at ESD and beyond.
Through opportunities like AHSTF, ESD students are able to extend their learning beyond the classroom, engaging with the arts in meaningful and immersive ways. Ella’s experience reflects the strength of ESD’s theatre program, where students are encouraged to take creative risks, collaborate closely, and share their work on larger stages.
