Irvine teens Jude Shedden and Jamie McLane are set to fly to New York City to perform in the famous Tartan Day parade.
Hot on the heels of his latest movie premieres, Angry Young Men and Stop the World, Jude, 14, and fellow acting student Jamie, 15, are eager to hit the Big Apple and perform in the massive event on Saturday, April 9.
The Tartan Day parade, now in its 24th year, is the highlight of a week-long series of Scottish-themed festivities designated as NYC Tartan Week.
Jude, Jamie and their classmates at The Theatre School of Scotland will join over 3,000 bagpipers, Highland dancers, clan organisations, and Scottish dog breeds and proudly march up Sixth Avenue amongst tens of thousands of spectators in person and online.
And this year's grandmarshall is Doctor Who star Karen Gillan.
Around 150 kids auditioned for the trip but only a small group of 44 were selected.
An excited Jude said of his friendship with Jamie:" We met at judo years ago and have been friends since. It's really nice to be sharing this experience together.
"I think Karen is a brilliant actress and I really like her in Avengers. I'm more of a Marvel guy anyway and it'll be fun to perform on the bus with her.
"It's going to be a good time and it's exciting to be one of the Scottish performers taking part in such a massive event. I can't wait to squeeze in a bit of sightseeing too."
Jamie added: "I actually joined Theatre School Scotland just after everyone had been selected for the trip which was really disappointing but then someone dropped out and I was asked to take their place.
"I've never been to New York but it's a place I've always dreamed of going to. I'm really excited and can't wait to get there!"
Holly Rutherford, operations manager for The Theatre School of Scotland said: "We are the only performing arts school who have been invited to the tartan day parade.
"On Friday evening, we'll be taking part in a ceilidh with all of the recognisable people in attendance, including members of the Scottish Government.
"Then on Saturday, the school will perform a melody of Scottish songs in Bryant Park with the American Scottish Foundation before heading over to the parade.
"At the parade, kids will perform 500 miles on an open-top deck bus with Grandmarshall Karen Gillan.
"We opened auditions up to the whole school – for those aged 14 and up – but we never told them what to perform; we asked the kids to show us why they should be the ones to go on the trip and play to their strengths and we got some really creative auditions.
"We're really excited to be given this opportunity and we hope we represent the performing arts industry well while we're there."
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