Newcastle’s Civic Theatre will host the Ninth Junior Theatre Festival this weekend.
The event, known for promoting musical theatre education, will welcome young musical theatre talent from across Australia and New Zealand for two days of performances, hands-on workshops, and appearances from industry heavyweights.
A major highlight of this year’s festival will be the participation of two stars from the international hit musical & Juliet.
“This year’s festival is especially exciting with Lorinda, Blake, and our global guests bringing their expertise to the table,” Junior Theatre Festival’s Daniel Stoddart said.
Lorinda May Merrypor and Blake Appelqvist are celebrated figures in Australian musical theatre, with Merrypor known for her portrayal of Juliet and Appelqvist for his role as Romeo. Their involvement is expected to inspire and energize the young performers in attendance, as they share insights from their careers in musical theatre.
The festival will also feature workshops and guidance from a stellar lineup of international theatre professionals, including Mary-Catherine Chambliss and Daniel Mertzlufft from iTheatrics in New York. Representatives from Music Theatre International (MTI), such as Stuart Hendricks, John Prignano, and Ryan Macaulay, will provide industry expertise, offering students and teachers invaluable advice on how to elevate their craft. The presence of such high-caliber professionals underscores JTF Australia’s commitment to fostering the next generation of theatre talent.
“JTF Australia is a vital platform for nurturing the next generation of performers and theatre-makers. We’re incredibly excited to be part of this event and to share some thrilling news with the festival participants during our special announcement,” Hendricks said.
The Ninth Annual Junior Theatre Festival will roll into Newcastle on the 25th of October 2024. For more information visit oztheatrics.com/jtfaustralia.
