Students from Ohlook Performing Arts in Grapevine, Plaza Academy in Cleburne, and Preston Center Dance in Dallas won national awards and earned recognition at the 2018 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta, which happened January 12-14, 2018 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA. The Junior Theater Festival Atlanta united 6,000+ students and educators from 130 educational musical theater groups representing 30 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Ohlook Performing Arts won a Freddie G Outstanding Production, and performed, “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat,” from Guys and Dolls JR. for all 6,000 Festival attendees at the Festival’s closing ceremonies. It was the second time at the 2018 Junior Theater Festival the students performed on the mainstage for all festivla attendees, as Ohlook Performing Arts Center joined students from Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre from Fairhope, AL to perform “Give a Little Love” from Bugsy Malone JR. to legendary songwriter Paul Williams.

Also at the festival, Ohlook Performing Arts Center’s Michael Mazey won a Freddie G award for Excellent Individual Performance by a Male.

Plaza Academy won a Freddie G award for Excellence in Dance. Plaza Academy’s Vincenzo Rosencranz was named to Tech Theater All-Stars. Each group attending the festival was allowed to nominate two students who took part in technical theatre workshops designed to help develop their talents.

Plaza Academy educator Tina Barrus was one of four exceptional educators from schools and performing arts centers around the country selected for the ninth annual “The Freddie G Fellowship.” Freddie G Fellows receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to collaborate with each other and work one-on-one with Broadway greats. Each winning teacher also receives a $5,000 grant to put towards his or her theater program. The event is underwritten and hosted by Freddie and Myrna Gershon and is a thank you for all that teachers do to introduce the next generation to Broadway and musical theater.

Preston Center Dance earned high praise.

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The 36 Ohlook Performing Arts students, ages 8-18, presented selections from Guys and Dolls JR. for Ernie Nolan, executive artistic director of Nashville Children’s Theatre, and Disney Theatrical Group teaching artist Lauren Chapman.

Said Nolan, “Ohlook Performing Arts Center’s presentation was full of such memorable performances and fantastic musical numbers.” Added Chapman, “Each role was beautifully played as everyone came together to tell this story. The energy and enthusiasm was infectious.”

The 41 Plaza Academy students, ages 8-18, presented selections from Disney's The Lion King JR. for Lotte Wakeham (Broadway’s Matilda the Musical associate director) and educator and music director Derek Bowley (Kennedy Center tour and premiere of The Phantom Tollbooth, world premiere of The Trumpet of the Swan at the Kennedy Center, contributing author on School of Rock and Something Rotten Broadway study guides).

Said Wakeham, “Plaza Academy's staging and storytelling was incredibly impressive. They proved that working together as a tight ensemble can be just as powerful as seeing a full Broadway production. Several physical staging moments really stood out to me, particularly Mufasa's death and the transition between Young Simba and Older Simba. I was very impressed by these well-choreographed moments. This cast had wonderful energy and worked very well as a team; I thoroughly enjoyed their performance and wish them all the best in their future productions - they are a very talented group.” Added Bowley, “These actors conveyed the full range of emotions in this musical, effectively portraying the love between Simba and Nala, the hatred between Mufasa and Scar, and the comedic comradery of Timon and Pumba. The ensemble moved with grace to create a jungle full of animals.”

The 18 Preston Center Dance students, ages 8-13, presented selections from Disney's Sleeping Beauty KIDS for Richard Frazier, the incoming Artistic Director of Theatre Macon in Macon, GA and dancer, choreographer, and theatrical producer Kenny Shepard (resident choreographer for the world’s largest children’s museum, TCM of Indianapolis, and on-camera choreographer for Broadway Junior, MacMillan McGraw-Hill, and the Galleries for American Art and Popular Culture’s current exhibit, Dance!

Said Shepard, “Preston Center Dance’s Sleeping Beauty KIDS was as magical as I’d hope it would be. These young women were fully committed to their characters and opened the festival with high energy and a dynamic performance. The three fairies were especially fun to watch: Sydney Moore, Kat Seale and Mia Terraciano-Spence.” Frazier added, “This group of young ladies brought this Disney classic to life right before our eyes. Their commitment to characterization really elevated their piece and made it something exciting and new. The scene with the dragon was one of the most visually stunning images in the piece, though there were so many more beautiful stage pictures we could talk about! I have a message for Preston Center Dance and it is, ‘Thank you for your time and for sharing this production with us. You should be extremely proud of your work!’”

Ohlook Performing Arts’ Andrew Smith, Will Thompson, Michael Mazey, Jackson Layton and Kale Thompson and Preston Center Dance’s Mary Grace Altizer and Mia Terraciano-Spence were seven of 240 students who made it to the call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released Broadway Junior musicals. The shoots will be taped in New York City this summer. The Broadway Junior scouts were on the lookout for outstanding students, out of 6,000 people at the festival, 805 were invited to audition for iTheatrics resident choreographer Steven G. Kennedy. The final cast will be determined later this year. These videos will be used in tens of thousands of schools across the country and internationally.

Ohlook Performing Arts Carter’s Shamburger and Grace Lord, Plaza Academy’s Stephen Newton and McLaine Meachem, and Preston Center Dance’s Mia Terraciano and Spence Sydney Moore were named to the Junior Theater Festival All-Stars, made up of outstanding performers attending the festival. The All-Stars performed a song during the closing ceremony for all 6,000 festival attendees.

Produced by the Junior Theater Group in partnership with iTheatrics, a leading educational theater company that creates innovative experiences and products for the public and private sector, the Junior Theater Festival Atlanta is the world’s largest festival celebrating young people and the transformative power of musical theater. This year’s title sponsors were Music Theatre International, Disney Theatrical Group, and Playbill, Inc®. The Junior Theater Festival was founded in 2003. In 2010 the festival became an annual event.

About Ohlook Performing Arts

Ohlook Performing Arts Center is not about competition but about opportunity and giving everyone a chance to express themselves in a positive, caring environment.

The program has enjoyed fantastic success at past Junior Theater Festivals.

At the 2017 Junior Theater Festival Ohlook Performing Arts Center students Brooklyn Biddle, Reilly Buckley, Michael Mazey and Katy Popovitch were four of 142 students who made it to the call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released Broadway Junior musicals. The Broadway Junior scouts were on the lookout for outstanding students, out of 5,800 students at the festival, 500 were invited to audition for iTheatrics resident choreographer Steven G. Kennedy. These videos will be used in tens of thousands of schools across the country and internationally.

In 2016 Ohlook Performing Arts Center won a Freddie G Outstanding Production award, and student Emma Lord received a Freddie G All Festival Performance by a Female Award, given to only one female at the festival, while Ohlook Performing Arts student Matthew D. Vinson received a Freddie G Broadway Junior Slam Award. (The Broadway Junior Slam is a theatrical challenge in which students and teachers who don’t know each other must stage and perform a song from a musical in an hour.) Also, Ohlook Performing Arts Center teacher Jill Lord was one of six teachers selected for the Freddie G Fellowship which recognizes the exceptional contributions to arts education. The teachers received all-expense paid trip to New York City, complete with professional development, Broadway performances and unforgettable celebrations as well as $5,000 from Freddie and Myrna Gershon to enhance their arts program. Additionally, Ohlook student Alyssa Ihle made it to the call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released Broadway Junior musicals.

In 2016 Ohlook Performing Arts Center won a Freddie G Outstanding Production award, and student Emma Lord received a Freddie G All Festival Performance by a Female Award, given to only one female at the festival, while Ohlook Performing Arts student Matthew D. Vinson received a Freddie G Broadway Junior Slam Award. (The Broadway Junior Slam is a theatrical challenge in which students and teachers who don’t know each other must stage and perform a song from a musical in an hour.) Also, Ohlook Performing Arts Center teacher Jill Lord was one of six teachers selected for the Freddie G Fellowship which recognizes the exceptional contributions to arts education. The teachers received all-expense paid trip to New York City, complete with professional development, Broadway performances and unforgettable celebrations as well as $5,000 from Freddie and Myrna Gershon to enhance their arts program. Additionally, Ohlook student Alyssa Ihle made it to the call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released Broadway Junior musicals.

In 2015 the students won a Freddie G Outstanding Ensemble award. Additionally, students Matthew Vinson, Grace Lord, and Andrew Smith made it to the final call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for Broadway Junior musicals. Ohlook Performing Arts Center was one of four educational musical theater groups across the nation to perform as part of the New Works Showcase. The students performed selections from Singin’ in the Rain JR. for all 4,500 festival attendees.

In 2014 the group won a Freddie G Outstanding Production award and student Colton Hess won a Freddie G Outstanding Individual Male Performance. Students Matthew Vinson, Grace Lord, Andrew Smith, and Colton Hess made it to the final call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for Broadway Junior musicals.

In 2013 students won a Freddie G Outstanding Ensemble award. In addition, student Colton Hess won a Freddie G Outstanding Individual Male Performance award, students Andrew Smith and Tanner Terrell made it to the final call-back for a Broadway Junior “how-to” choreography video shoot for Broadway Junior musicals, and Andrew traveled to New York City to be part of the taping.

In 2012 the group earned a Freddie G Outstanding Achievement in Dance award. Additionally, cast members Emma Lord, Hannah Pierce, and Andrew Smith made it to the final casting call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for musicals. Ultimately, Andrew was among the young performers selected and traveled to New York City in summer 2012 to tape the instructional DVDs.

In 2011 the group won a Freddie G Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award, and student Madi Bready won a Freddie G Outstanding Female Performer award.

About Plaza Academy

Plaza Academy is Plaza Theatre Company's fine arts education program. Its Academy offers a variety of fine art disciplines for youth ages 3 to 18.

At the 2017 Junior Theater Festival Plaza Academy won a Freddie G Group Award for Excellence in Dance. Additionally, David Midkiff, Eden Barrus Emma Colwell and Nolan Moralez were four of 142 students who made it to the call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released Broadway Junior musicals. These videos will be used in tens of thousands of schools across the country and internationally.

About Preston Center Dance

Preston Center Dance (PCD) is a prestigious studio in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. It was established in 1990 by Janis Rosenthal and Densil Adams.

In 2017, the group traveled to the inaugural iTheatrics JTF West and won a Freddie G Excellence in Acting group award. PCD first attended JTF in 2016 and won a Freddie G Excellence in Dance group award. Furthermore, student Hallie Purcell received a Freddie G Excellent Individual Performance by a Female award, and students William Jackman, Emma Lindwall, Nola Carroll and Morgan Gerlach made it to the call-back for future Broadway Junior shoots for “how-to” choreography videos for soon-to-be released Broadway Junior musicals.

About the 2018 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta

The 2018 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta is a monumental weekend of theatrical fellowship rewarding and empowering student-driven musical theater programs.

Paul Williams (“The Muppet Movie,” “Evergreen,” Bugsy Malone, Emmet Otter’s Jug-band Christmas); Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked); Luca Padovan (Broadway’s School of Rock, Broadway’s Newsies); Megan Hilty (“Smash!”, Braodway’s Wicked); New York Times best-selling authors Jodi Picoult (Small Great Things); Cass Morgan (Broadway’s Memphis: A New Musical, Broadway’s Mary Poppins); Katy Geraghty (Broadway’s Groundhog Day); Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, off-Broadway, Miss Saigon, national tour); Isabella Russo (Broadway’s School of Rock, Hans Christian Andersen); Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson (“Olaf’s Frozen Adventure”) were some of the celebrities at the festival cheering on the students.

In addition to presenting selections from shows for adjudication, participants took part in interactive workshops led by Broadway and West End professionals, gained from professional development, watched outstanding performances by fellow students and Broadway stars and enjoyed theatrical fellowship.

Performer Megan Hilty returned as the festival’s headliner, performing in concert for all attendees.

One hundred students serenaded composer, performer, and songwriter Paul Williams (Bugsy Malone, “Evergreen,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainbow Connection,” “The Muppet Movie,” Emmet Otter’s Jug-band Christmas), when he received the Junior Theater Festival Legacy Award. The award recognizes those individuals whose vision and artistry have shaped the minds and hearts of educational musical theatre students and audiences all around the globe.

Musical theatre lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz introduced the new student edition of Children of Eden JR., presented by Inspiration Stage in Sugarland, TX, at the JTF Atlanta New Works Showcase where select groups perform songs from new or updated musicals that will soon be made available for licensing by Music Theatre International. Other showcase performances included Spotlight Theatre Productions (Sarasota, FL) presenting Disney’s Aladdin JR., and Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School (Oak Park, IL) presenting Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR.

Luca Padovan (Newsies, School of Rock); Cass Morgan (Memphis: A New Musical, Mary Poppins); Katy Geraghty (Groundhog Day); Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, off-Broadway, Miss Saigon, national tour); Morgan Siobhan (Between the Lines, Kansas City Rep); Isabella Russo (School of Rock, Hans Christian Andersen); Elyssa Samsel & Kate Anderson (Olaf’s Frozen Adventure; Between the Lines, Kansas City Rep); Brad Simmons (Lysistrata Jones, “Camp”), and New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult (Between the Lines, Kansas City Rep) will also appear at JTF Atlanta.