The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati students after they presented Junie B. Jones The Musical JR. for adjudication. Photo credit: Avery Brunkus/JTF

The 2023 Junior Theater Festival which rewards and celebrates excellent student-driven musical theater programs such as The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, took place January 13 – 15 at the Cobb Convention Center in Atlanta.

 

TCT students were proudly awarded the Freddie G Excellence in Ensemble Work award and others. Students, Shawn Bilyeu, Mackenzie Cook and Alex Talbot, made it to the call-back to a yet-to-be announced special project promoting musical theater in schools; and students Stella D’Ascenzo and Kavan Vadivelu were named to the festival All-Stars, a select group of outstanding performers.

 

At the festival, each group performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior musical for adjudicators. So what is the JTF Festival exactly? This unique festival applauds and empowers young people and educators who create student-driven musical theater around the world. It is an incredible weekend consisting of singing, dancing, acting and learning; there were 125 groups from 28 states, as well as Washington DC, Canada and Australia, who participated.

 

TCT students really outdid themselves! TCT students presented Junie B. Jones The Musical JR. to Broadway composer and lyricist Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical); Khalia Davis, Multidisciplinary artist and artistic director of Bay Area Children’s Theatre, and actor Evan Ruggiero (Drama Desk Nominated Actor, “Beast” in Olney Theatre Center’s Beauty and The Beast) with energy and precision. Every single child used their outstanding focus and energy to tell a strong story, and they didn’t disappoint.

 

The groups enjoyed a New Works Showcase of performance selections from upcoming Broadway Junior musicals presented by JTF groups and other mainstage performances featuring Broadway guests and took part in workshops. 2022 marks the group’s first time at JTF Atlanta.

 





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