Local Students Honored At Junior Theater Festival Atlanta

ALPHARETTA, GA — Students representing Off Broadway Children's Theatre in Alpharetta, First Redeemer Church and Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts Company in Cumming, as well as Northwestern Middle School in Milton recently won national awards and earned other recognition at the 2022 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta (JTF Atlanta), event organizers announced.

Called a “rousing celebration of theatre” by the New York Times, the Junior Theater Festival applauds and empowers young people and educators by creating student-driven musical theater around the globe.

The weekend, which was dedicated to rewarding and celebrating student-driven musical theater programs, happened online and in-person Jan. 14-16, 2022 in Atlanta. Below is a list of the winners:

Awards

First Redeemer Church won a Freddie G award for Excellence in Ensemble Work.

Off Broadway Children's Theatre won a Freddie G award for Excellence in Acting and Claire Falor won a Freddie G award for Outstanding Performance by an Individual.

Additional Recognition at the Festival Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts Company students Elizabeth Hall and Kate Moskowitz and Off Broadway Children's Theatre student Jaya Ganesh made it to the callback for future video shoots for “how-to” choreography videos.

The following students were distinguished as All-Stars, an outstanding group of young performers at the festival: Brylliant Acting Studio students Bradley Coleman and Lexigrace Phyfe; First Redeemer Church students Madeline Balzano and Daniel Williams; Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts Company students Elizabeth Hall and Charli Hartley; Northwestern Middle School students Terrell Purdie and Madison Zantello; and Off Broadway Children's Theatre students Mathew Boys and Connor McCraw.

Adjudication and Adjudicator Feedback

At the festival, each group performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior® musical for adjudicators.

First Redeemer Church presented Disney's Aladdin JR. to Jacob Brent University of the Arts Musical Theatre Program Director and Broadway Performer (Cats, Broadway) and Retired Alliance Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth & Families Rosemary Newcott, and Forbes 30 Under 30 Orchestrator & Music Director Macy Schmidt.

Brent said of First Redeemer Church, "Everyone was giving their full energy. It didn't matter what role they had, they were not only performing, they were living! This is clearly a wonderful program who is infusing not only skills but a sense of community among the group."

Newcott added, "This group had such a dynamic ensemble, I particularly enjoyed Jasmine & her ladies of the court. Their connection when creating visual image—such as the cave of wonders—indicates great commitment." Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts presented Seussical JR. to Broadway Actor Katy Geraghty (Groundhog Day Original Broadway Cast), director, choreographer, and educator Kikau Alvaro (University of the Arts), and educator and adjudicator Nicholas Sostillio.

Geraghty said, "What wonderful explosion of energy, color and fun! These young performers took me to the Jungle of Nool and back with their entertaining storytelling. While they absolutely know what they are doing and are clearly being trained very well, all I saw onstage was fun. This program seems to hone in on the fact that when you are doing theater alongside your friends, you can do anything."

Alvaro added, "This performance of Seussical JR. did not stop moving once it began. It was super fun! I can tell that they are all having fun while performing. There were moments of celebration in the show and I can tell that those real friendships offstage were incorporated into the story. This is a really special group!" Said Sostillio, "Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts transported us to the world of Dr. Seuss by creating fun, lovable characters. Their staging made everyone an important part of the story."

Northwestern Middle School presented Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical JR. for music director and iTheatrics master teacher Derek Bowley and Michael J. Bobbitt, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

"These performers pulled off the characterization of both children and their adult tormentors in this high energy presentation. The fearless performance of horrible Miss Trunchbull was a comical treat, and contrast to the more reserved and loving Miss Honey. Though it was second group performing Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical JR. for the day, the performers made it feel fresh and new. This is a program that gives students the space and confidence to make big bold acting choices, and find their own original interpretation the characters they portray," Bowley said,

Off Broadway Children's Theatre presented Dear Edwina JR. to director Lotte Wakeham (Associate Director: Matilda the Musical - West End and Broadway); actor Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton, Once On This Island 2017 Revival); and Cindy Ripley, senior education consultant at iTheatrics.

“These students gave a delightful performance, full of charm, humor and impressive energy. There were many wonderful comic moments throughout and lovely staging choices. It really made me want to watch the entire show! The students and staff should be hugely proud of what they've achieved. It was brilliant to see performers who are as young as eight giving their all on stage, and to see the older students supporting and guiding them, and working together as a team. I'm excited for what they will do next," Wakeham said.

Added Yearwood, “By gosh I’d follow Claire Falor’s Edwina and the rest of the Off Broadway cast to the ends of the earth. Claire led with joy and grace as the cast navigated each song which takes on a different topic. In a show that is primarily told through vignettes, this entire ensemble seamlessly wove them together to tell a story that touches young and old alike. They capitalized on comedic moments that dealt with topics well beyond their years. Their attention to small details by the ensemble kept the audience riveted as every member committed to being present on stage even in numbers where the entire cast wasn’t front and center. Connor McCraw’s Bobby was outstanding, finding the humorous moments, and helping to pull a larger narrative together. As the cast closed and bowed-every member on an equal plane downstage-we could feel the sense of pride they had as a family.”

Added Ripley, “This young ensemble gave an undeniable performance! It was clean, fun, with balanced music and choreography! This is such a tight ensemble that exudes teamwork. What a future these young people have!”

Additional Recognition at the Festival

Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts Company students Elizabeth Hall and Kate Moskowitz and Off Broadway Children's Theatre student Jaya Ganesh made it to the callback for future video shoots for “how-to” choreography videos.

The following students were distinguished as All-Stars at the festival: First Redeemer Church students Madeline Balzano and Daniel Williams; Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts Company students Elizabeth Hall and Charli Hartley; Northwestern Middle School students Terrell Purdie and Madison Zantello; and Off Broadway Children's Theatre students Mathew Boys and Connor McCraw.