Aussie Students Win International Junior Theatre Festival Award
Photo credit: Rachael Monteleone
The Aussie All-Stars performance group, composed of students who had auditioned from towns across Australia, received a top youth theatre award at the USA Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta. The fifty-three Aussie students, aged eleven to eighteen, won the Freddie G Inspiration Award (named after Music Theatre International Co-Chairman, Freddie Gershon), an accolade for their outstanding performance,
The Aussie All-Stars travelled to New York City in January, where they spent four days creating their performance for adjudication under the music direction of Broadway composers Daniel J Mertzlufft (Ratatouille the Musical) and Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical). A VIP performance was held in New York City for staff at Music Theatre International and I Heart Radio Broadway. Stuart Hendricks, who sponsors the program on behalf of MTI said, “This is a hugely impressive program, really showcasing the cream of Australian stage talent.”
The students then joined 6,800 like-minded performers in Atlanta for the three-day Junior Theatre Festival, where they performed excerpts from Sister Act JR. and Shrek The Musical JR. for industry professionals.
Adjudicator Holly Stanfield said, “Their commitment to exaggerated, and honest characterization made the story engaging and fun for the audience.”
Adjudicator Lotte Wakeham added, “Their accent work was spot on, as was their inventive staging. I commend them on their comic skills and acting, singing and dancing abilities.”
While competing at the festival, the Aussie All-Star students performed on the main stage for the launch of the new musical Dot and the Kangaroo JR, created by Australian book writer Daniel Stoddart.
Recalling her experience on the main stage, Layla Schillert said, “Performing ‘On Our Way’ from Dot and the Kangaroo JR. in front of over 6,000 people was a highlight.”
Image: Layla Schillert performs “On Our Way” from Dot and the Kangaroo JR. Photographer: Marcus Woollen
The first Australian title to appear in the Broadway JR collection of musicals by Music Theatre International (MTI), Dot and the Kangaroo JR. is an adaptation based on the 1899 novel by Ethel C. Pedley. The story features a young and rambunctious girl who longs for an adventure. When she finds herself lost and afraid in the darkening Australian bush, Dot befriends a wise mother Kangaroo who enlists the help of Australia’s favourite bush creatures to help her get home.
The All-Stars program is a partnership between youth performance tour operator Travel Gang and the Junior Theatre Festivals worldwide. It allows students to represent their country and travel to the five festivals: Atlanta, Sacramento, Birmingham (UK), Auckland (NZ) and Newcastle (Australia).
Each January, students also attend Broadway shows, musical theatre workshops and talkbacks with Broadway performers. They also participate in the Disneyland Performing Arts workshop program and are put through mock audition processes by Disney talent directors.
Shane Bransdon, co-producer of the Junior Theatre Festival Australia, said students have an experience they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives. “In addition to the amazing performing arts opportunities, this program embodies the power of theatre to build bridges, connect people with common goals, build friendships and relationships, and make you feel empathy.”
Students interested in the Aussie All-Stars program should follow the social media accounts for the Junior Theatre Festival Australia - @jtfaustralia
Registration is now open for Junior Theatre Festival to be held in Newcastle on October 27 and 28.
