Junior Theatre Festival Australia
Professional Development
THERE REALLY IS AN EASIER WAY TO PUT ON A MUSICAL WITH KIDS. LET US SHOW YOU HOW THROUGH OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS.
Our roster of professional development teaching artists from iTheatrics (NY) have decades of experience, have adapted over 60 musicals for kids to perform and have written musical theatre "how-to" guides for Music Theatre International, Disney Theatrical Productions, Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., Rodgers & Hammerstein, Hal Leonard Publishing and MacMillan/McGraw-Hill.
We teach our workshops just like we teach our own students, with an emphasis on experiential learning, active skill building, and an overall focus on fun.
Junior Theatre Festival Australia
Civic Theatre Newcastle, NSW
October 27 & 28, 2023
WORKSHOP 1 - Working with your Design Team
PRESENTERS - Nina Meehan (Bay Area Children's Theatre, San Francisco), Jacob Harwood (JH Productions), Stuart Hendricks (MTI Australasia), Quentin Sanford (Broadway Media)
Bringing all of your production elements together to work seamlessly in front of an audience takes lots of planning and the skill of communicating with designers. This workshop is designed for teachers and directors who would like to build better rapport with a creative team. The workshop will also offer suggestions on how to manage simple set design and scenery projections even if you don't have a large budget at your disposal.
WORKSHOP 2 - How to make the most of rehearsal time with your cast
PRESENTERS - Marty Johnson (iTheatrics), Ryan Macauley (MTI Europe)
They say time is money! In the musical theatre business, this couldn't be more true! Learn how to maximise the small amount of time you have with your cast by developing a thorough rehearsal and production schedule. Then explore strategies for how you can best run each of your rehearsal sessions to build your show with efficiency and creative integrity...all while making sure your cast and team have a great time!
WORKSHOP 3 - How to get the most out of your ensemble vocally
PRESENTER - Dan Mertzlufft (iTheatrics), Ryan Macauley (MTI Europe)
Teaching music to your cast can often be a daunting task. Working with musical director and composer Dan Mertzlufft, you will discover ways to maximise your cast's potential for delivering a confident, solid, and full sound. Explore simple exercises that will help inject exciting tone, dynamic and energy into your ensemble sound. Teaching music to your students can be fun as well as efficient.
WORKSHOP 4 - Staging large ensemble numbers without choreography
PRESENTER - Marty Johnson (iTheatrics)
Some ensemble number in musicals don’t call for full choreography, And moving a large group of performers around the stage can be very overwhelming, especially when you don't have lots of time or resources (or extra staff) to help wrangle the masses. In this on-your-feet physical workshop, Marty will use a popular Broadway JR song to show you how dynamic stage pictures, movement and formations can be used to effectively and powerfully tell your story. All while saving you time, stress and resources.
ADJUDICATION SESSION
PRESENTER/S - Various
Observe outstanding student groups from all over Australia perform highlights from their school or academies Broadway JR. and KIDS musicals for industry feedback. Then get tips from Broadway artists and clinicians to take back to your school as they work with large student groups to enhance their performances. Not only will you take away new tools and strategies to try with your students, but you may even discover your school or academies next musical.
JTF Australia FAQs
WHAT IS JTF Australia?
The Junior Theatre Festival Australia is the largest celebration of musical theater for young people in Australia and is produced by OzTheatrics in partnership with iTheatrics (NY) and 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 done or is planning to do 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 A ONE DAY PASS?
No, there is not a one day pass available. Everyone who attends the event must either pay the participation fee and attend with a group or pay the registration fee to attend on the Professional Development Track.
IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS?
Any student between the ages of 8 and 18 is welcome to attend and perform with a group.
WHAT SIZE IS A TYPICAL GROUP?
20-50 students. There is a minimum of 30 participants per group. This number includes students, chaperones, directors and any additional family and friends.
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. But, as the event continues to grow we are looking at ways we can incorporate those of your students with a technical interest.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
We’re completely online! If you want to register a group, fill out the online registration page with your $350 non-refundable group registration fee. If you are registering on the Professional Development track and do not wish to bring a group, fill out the same registration with your $180 participation fee.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTED?
We accept payments through our online portal. You will recieve your own personal group portal link once you sign up. Under extenuating circumstances we will accept bank transfers. We do not accept cash or cheques.
WHEN DO I NEED TO REGISTER BY?
Registration opens for returning groups straight away after the previous year's event. New groups can register from mid February. Registration closes when all slots are full.
I FILLED OUT MY REGISTRATION FORM. NOW WHAT?
Our event coordinator will review your registration and email you when you have been officially accepted into the festival. This typically takes 1 month from the time of receipt. If you are not accepted, it means the event is sold out or your information is not complete and your registration fee will not be processed.
AFTER I RECEIVE MY ACCEPTANCE, WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO DO?
You will receive a personal portal link where all of your groups forms need to be filled out by the due date. These forms and full participant payment are due two months prior to the event. We can not add extra participants to your group after the due date.
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 #JTFOz and handle @juniortheatrefestivalaustralia