Produced by iTheatrics and Atlanta's Theater of the Stars, and in association with Music Theatre International, the Junior Theater Festival is the world's largest musical theatre festival dedicated to groups working with elementary and middle school aged-young people.
Key events include:
Adjudication:
In the spirit of celebration, not competition, theatre groups perform selections from their current Broadway Junior or KIDS Collection productions for a panel of leaders in theatre and education. Each cast will receive valuable feedback about its creativity, engagement in the performance, understanding of the material and connection to the lyrics and movement. The most joyful and student-driven performances are celebrated with awards and select groups will be invited to perform during the closing awards ceremony for their peers.
New Works Showcase:
The Junior Theater Festival offers attendees a first-look at new musicals soon to be available. Past performances have included the professional premiere of Disney’s High School Musical, as well as student presentations of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka’s Junior, Seussical Junior, Godspell Junior, Disney’s Aladdin Junior, and Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS.
New Works Showcase Groups:
Selected groups will be one of the first in the country to present a new title in their community, and will also perform the show as one of the Junior Theater Festival’s featured events.
Professional Educators’ Workshops:
The workshops focus on different aspects of putting on a show, including the “how to’s” of starting a drama club, choreographing musical numbers and creating great looking sets and costumes on any budget. These workshops also serve as a professional exchange for teachers, giving them the opportunity to candidly address obstacles and their solutions within a supportive and creative environment.
Student Workshops:
These workshops inspire students to build skills that will have a positive impact on productions for years to come. Topics include master classes about auditions, backstage technical theatre skills like stage management and props, and making the most out of rehearsal time.
Celebrities:
Many stars of the stage and screen are drawn to the excitement of the Junior Theater Festival. Past celebrities who have attended the festival include High School Musical’s Zac Efron, Kim Possible’s Christy Carlson Romano and American Idol’s Michael Orland.
Professional Production:
In the spirit of inspiring young people to perform, all festival attendees will attend a professional production at Atlanta’s historic Theater of the Stars. Past shows have included Annie, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and the world premier’s of Disney High School Musical and Hairspray.