Hunter School of the Performing Arts Wins at 2023 Junior Theatre Festival
Students from Hunter School of the Performing Arts clinched the award for Most Outstanding Performance at the 2023 Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) Australia held in Newcastle on October 27 and 28. Their group stood out amongst 24 finalist groups from all over Australia and one from New Zealand.
The Junior Theatre Festival Australia is part of a larger global initiative by iTheatrics in New York, creating events in the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. These festivals are the world's biggest platforms celebrating youth in musical theatre. In 2022 alone, around 20,000 attendees were recorded globally. This event sees participants present in front of a distinguished panel of artists from Broadway and West End.
Hunter School's performance showcased selections from "DreamWorks Madagascar, A Musical Adventure JR," captivating leading musical theatre personalities from the USA.
“The student participants were privileged to get insights from top-tier producers, directors, and writers from New York”, said Junior Theatre Festival co-producer, Shane Bransdon.
An added highlight was their interaction with renowned performer Rob Mills, currently touring with hit musical “& Juliet”.
The success of JTF Australia 2023 owes much to generous grants from Music Theatre International (MTI) and the City of Newcastle. Stuart Hendricks from MTI emphasised the festival's role in fostering love for theatre among the youth, while also commending the JTF Australia team's remarkable efforts.
Participants in this year’s festival included noteworthy figures like Daniel J Mertzlufft, a Broadway composer and TikTok sensation; Ryan Macauley, a West End Musical Director; and Vidya Makan, a performer from SIX the musical, among others.
About Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA):
HSPA, located in Newcastle, is a centre of excellence in performing arts. The public school champions the blend of academic excellence with performing arts, promoting creativity, collaboration, and cultural awareness. Its curriculum is designed to shape students into thinkers, artists, and leaders, preparing them for future success.
About the 2023 Junior Theatre Festival Australia:
Focusing on performers aged 7-18, the festival invites participants to present MTI Broadway Junior™ musical extracts. The event includes constructive feedback sessions, interactive workshops, Q&A with special guests, and culminates in an evening concert, making it a significant weekend of theatrical camaraderie.
