Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) Competition Team
Musical Theatre Team for 1st-12th Grade
Winners of the 2023 Excellence in Acting Award
"Asheville Performing Arts Academy's performance was as polished and professional as it gets. It's obvious that this is a serious and dedicated performing group. This cast is filled with triple threats, they acted, sang and danced with equal aplomb." - Jeff Calhoun (Disney's Newsies, Bonnie & Clyde, Big River)
"Their energy was contagious! From 8-18, these students knew how to work together as a team and clearly had fun doing it." - Shey Rodgers (Theatre Under the Stars)
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The JTF Performance Group is an elite small group ensemble at the Asheville Performing Arts Academy. Students in this group have shown a mastery of musical theatre and a dedication to furthering their craft as artists.
As part of the Performance & Competition Team, students will participate in the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta in January 2023. Participation in JTF is mandatory as part of the ensemble.
Any APAA or Community member (currently registered in one of our classes) may audition, though priority casting is given to current Company and Prep members. Audition information can be found below. Following auditions, accepted students will be sent information about how to register. D
Auditions are closed for 2023 JTF. Please check back for 2024 information next year!
Watch our 2023 JTF Performance
JUNIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL
January 13 - 15, 2022
Atlanta, GA
Cobb Galleria
Come join an award-winning team for a FUN trip to Atlanta. We will be performing a portion of a Broadway Junior musical and spending the weekend learning and working with top Broadway professionals. Students will participate in 3 days of the largest musical theatre festival for young people! Our students will perform a 15-minute piece of a Broadway Junior musical for adjudication. Our students will also take classes with Broadway professionals.
Please note, group rehearsal times begin on Friday at 4:30 pm, so students may need to take a half-day or miss school. Please plan on being in Atlanta by 3:00 pm.
How to Join the JTF Competition Team
AUDITION
Any artists in one of APAA's programs or the community may audition to join the JTF Competition Team. Performers must be in 1st-12th grade. Priority casting will be given to current Company and Prep members. Community members must be registered for one of the APAA programs (Homeschool Academy, Youth Community Theatre, etc.) to be eligible.
Auditions are Saturday, September 10th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at our studio. Students must register for an audition slot below.
Please note you are auditioning to be on the team. We will not assign parts until we have a few rehearsals.
WHAT TO PREPARE
When you arrive you will be asked to participate in a small audition group where you will dance call as well as perform a short song and scene
- We will teach you a short audition song. If you would like to bring your own, songs should be around 32 bars. Please bring a copy of the sheet music for our accompanist to play. While we love Elphaba, Annie, and Alexander Hamilton, pick a song that best showcases your voice and personality. If you don't have a song prepared, that's fine! We're more interested in how you work as a group and your attitude at trying new things than the song you sing.
- Students will participate in a group scene work and improv games.
- We will teach you 32 counts of choreography that you can learn that day. Please be dressed appropriately for movement and bring any dance shoes you may have.
Students will then be notified by September 17th if they have been accepted. For all accepted students, there is a MANDATORY Parent's Meeting on September 24th.
COST
The Junior Theatre Festival cost is $300. This includes all festival fees (group participation and individual registration). Meals, transportation, and JTF merchandise are not included. Hotel fees will be determined once lodging has been secured by JTF.
Tuition for JTF Rehearsals is $500 for Community Members. For Company and Prep students, the cost is $250.
Members must pay both the JTF Festival fees as well as the rehearsal fees to participate.
Students in Elementary School (1st-5th grade) must be accompanied by a parent chaperone. The chaperone cost is $300 + hotel fees. Additional family members may also attend for $300 + hotel fees.
REGISTRATION
After the audition process, a staff member will send you the registration form to complete as well as payment information. Upon acceptance, a $250/person non-refundable deposit is required to secure your child's place on the JTF Competition Team. This deposit must be paid by the Parent's Meeting on September 24th.
REHEARSAL INFORMATION
Rehearsals for JTF will occur on Saturdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and begin in October. Students must be present at all rehearsals as our JTF performance is ensemble based. If there is a conflict, staff must be notified ASAP.
If you have any questions about the program, please don't hesitate to email.
Download the 2023 JTF
Brochure Here