Junior Theatre Festival Australia
THE JUNIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST CELEBRATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND MUSICAL THEATRE!
Alongside JTF Atlanta, JTF Sacramento, JTF Europe and JTF New Zealand, the Junior Theatre Festival Australia enjoys a large network of JTF festivals worldwide.
JTF Australia is seen in the eyes of the global community as an event meeting the criteria of international standards, allowing us to begin expanding our program with additional workshops and opportunities for our students and teachers as our festival continues to grow.
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Produced by OzTheatrics and under the educational and artistic supervision of iTheatrics, sponsored by Music Theatre International Australasia, the Junior Theatre Festival Australia (JTF Australia) brings students, teachers and industry professionals together to celebrate outstanding student musical theatre productions.
Junior Theatre Festival Australia
Civic Theatre Newcastle, NSW
October 31 & November 1, 2025
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Registrations opening soon.
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Festival events include: adjudications, student workshops, professional development for teachers, the New Works Showcase, an awards ceremony and the largest collection of Aussie musical theatre lovers under one roof. Held annually in Newcastle, NSW, JTF Australia has become a must attend musical theatre event. The festival welcomes special industry and celebrity guests each year and since its inception in 2016, JTF Australia has grown from 250 people in attendance to over 1,000 attendees. It is a weekend of true musical theatre madness that is not to be missed!
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2025 guests to be announced shortly:
Special Guest TBA
Special Guest TBA
Special Guest TBA
JTF Australia FAQs
WHAT IS JTF AUSTRALIA?
The Junior Theatre Festival Australia is a two-day festival of musical theatre for young people in Australia and is produced by OzTheatrics and sponsored by MTI Australasia.
WHEN IS JTF AUSTRALIA?
JTF Australia is an annual event and is generally held annually over the last weekend in October at the Civic Theatre In Newcastle which is an hour and a half North of Sydney. Although it is usually held over the last weekend in October, it can sometimes be as early as September.
WHY SHOULD MY GROUP ATTEND JTF AUSTRALIA?
JTF Australia gives everyone who attends the opportunity to experience the transformative power of musical theatre through watching performances, attending workshops, and making connections with other musical theatre groups from across the country.
WHO ATTENDS JTF AUSTRALIA?
Any school, after-school or community theatre group or academy that has performed, or is planning to perform, a Broadway JR. or KIDS collection show licenced through MTI Australasia.
IF I’M NOT PART OF A GROUP, CAN I COME TO THE EVENT?
Teachers, Directors and any adult who works with young people in musical theatre can attend JTF Australia on the Professional Development Track. Students must be part of a group.
IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS?
Any school-aged student between the ages of 8 and 18 on the day of the celebration is welcome to attend and perform with their school group or academy.
WHAT SIZE IS A TYPICAL GROUP?
40-60 students. There is a minimum of 35 participants per group. This number includes a minimum of 25 students, plus chaperones, directors, teachers and any additional family and friends. A minimum chaperone ratio of 1:5 students is also required.​
WHAT DOES A GROUP DO AT JTF AUSTRALIA?
Groups perform a 15 minute selection from one Broadway JR. or KIDS Collection show for adjudication, participate in workshops specifically designed for student performers, and watch outstanding performances by their peers.
IS THERE PROGRAMMING FOR MY TECHNICAL THEATRE STUDENTS?
Not at this stage.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
We're completely online! If you want to register a group, fill out the online registration page with your $440 (incl. GST) non-refundable group registration fee. Then collect the $150 (incl. GST) participation fee from each member of your group.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTED?
We accept payments through our online portal. You will receive your own personal group portal link once you sign up. We do not accept bank transfers, cash or cheques.
WHEN DO I NEED TO REGISTER BY?
Registration opens for returning groups shortly after the previous year's event. New groups can express interest by emailing jazzhands@oztheatrics.com.
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WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
To keep up to speed follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #OzTheatrics, #JTFAustralia, #JTCMelbourne, @oztheatrics