Students representing Carpe Artista in Smyrna and Oakland Middle School in Murfreesboro won awards and earned recognition at the 2023 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta, a weekend dedicated to celebrating student-driven musical theater programs Jan. 13–15.
Carpe Artista student Gabe Moyer received a Freddie G Student Direction or Choreography award and made it to the callback to a yet-to-be announced special project promoting musical theater in schools.
Moyer, along with fellow Carpe Artista representative Roman Seyfried and Oakland Middle School students Bailie Davis and Gavin Pearson, were named Junior Theater Festival All-Stars.
At the festival, each group performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior musical for adjudicators.
Carpe Artista [pictured at top] presented The Big One-Oh! Jr.
“Their use of comedy was spot-on. Their characterizations were brilliantly realized and the choreography really told the story,” said judge Holly Stanfield, a theatre teacher and director, and 2021 winner of the Stephen Schwartz Theatre Teacher of the Year. “Comedic timing is difficult, but Carpe Artista’s cast handled the libretto like professionals. All of their comedic beats were clear and focused.”
Oakland Middle School presented Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Jr.
“This is one immaculately trained ensemble that strives for the best and has mastered the craft of storytelling,” said judge Cindy Ripley, senior education consultant at iTheatrics.
The Junior Theater Festival program applauds young people and educators creating student-driven musical theater around the globe. Its 2023 Atlanta event drew 125 groups from 28 states, Canada and Australia.
The weekend included panels and performances from Broadway stars, directors, choreographers, lyricists, librettists and composers.
iTheatrics, the organization that produces Junior Theater Festivals, says it promotes musical theater with youth because it is “the most efficient way to deliver all of the arts disciplines in one package. Singing, acting and dancing introduce young people to music, language arts and physical education. The creation of backdrops, costumes and props engage young people with the visual arts. Computer-driven lights, sound and projections expose young people to the digital arts. That’s the power of musical theater.”
For more information on Junior Theater Festivals, visit juniortheaterfestival.com.
