Local theater students and educators showcased their talent at the annual Junior Theater Festival (JTF) held in Atlanta from January 16 to 18, 2026. Celebrated as “the world’s biggest celebration of young people performing musical theater,” the festival attracted 141 student groups from 31 U.S. states and eight countries, including Australia, England, and New Zealand. The event, sponsored by iTheatrics, Music Theatre International, Disney Musicals, and Playbill, featured approximately 7,176 attendees.
Among the participating groups were three local ensembles—the North Whitfield Middle School’s Pioneer Players, Westside Middle School’s drama club, and the Artistic Civic Theatre’s ACT 2 children’s wing. Throughout the event, students engaged in workshops covering various aspects of theater, including dance, technical theater, acting, and music. They also performed 15-minute excerpts of Broadway Junior shows, which were evaluated by industry experts.
North Whitfield’s musical theater teacher, Ashlyn Barnett, expressed enthusiasm about the festival’s impact. “Students got to see performances from Broadway professionals, and the festival ended with a concert by Tony nominee and former JTF student Jasmine Amy Rogers,” she noted.
The Pioneer Players, consisting of 38 students, presented a rendition of Alice in Wonderland Junior. The group was recognized with the Freddie G. Award for “Excellence in Music.” Individual accolades were also awarded, including recognition for eighth-grader Blakely Nix, who played Alice and was named an “Outstanding Student Choreographer.” This marks the third consecutive year that the Pioneer Players have received the Excellence in Music award.
“Out of our 38 students, 34 were performers, while four focused on technical roles or student direction,” Barnett explained. The group included participants from various local schools, showcasing a strong community collaboration.
In addition to the ensemble achievements, Bo Owen and Zeydi Canales were named All-Stars for their performances. Two students, Kyla Grooms and Kelsey King, received callbacks for a summer program in New York City, where they will contribute to choreography videos for new Junior musicals. Barnett herself was honored as a recipient of the Freddie G. Fellowship for 2026, which provides educators with valuable opportunities, including a trip to New York City.
The Westside Middle School drama club also made a strong impression, earning a Freddie G. Award for “Best Ensemble” with their performance of Shrek the Musical Junior. The group, comprising sixth to eighth graders, featured 25 participants. Kobe Martinez and sixth-grader Knox Ogle received All-Star awards, while four students auditioned for the iTheatrics summer program.
Westside’s theater teacher, Jennifier Akers, highlighted the impressive efforts of her students in various workshops. “Senior Jay Brewer and ninth-grader Stella Ogle excelled in the social media workshop, receiving positive feedback for their project,” she said. The group also performed well in the Tech Olympics, finishing fourth overall among 141 competing groups.
Rounding out the local successes, the Artistic Civic Theatre’s ACT2 group, featuring students from fourth to twelfth grade, performed Seussical Junior and received a Freddie G. Award for “Excellence in Ensemble.” Managing director Kate Southerland emphasized the importance of ensemble work in theater, stating, “They are responsible for essentially building the set and telling the story with just their bodies and voices.”
Southerland described the supportive atmosphere among the students during the festival, noting their pride in each other’s achievements. “Hearing that kindness and support from kids of that age was really inspirational,” she remarked.
Both North Whitfield and Westside Middle School theater groups are set to perform their productions locally in the coming weeks. The Pioneer Players will present their 15-minute cut of Alice in Wonderland Junior on January 30, while Westside Middle will stage the full performance of Shrek the Musical Junior from April 31 to May 2.
The opportunities provided by events like the Junior Theater Festival highlight the dedication and talent of young performers. As Barnett stated, “JTF is the only place in the world where theater students are face to face with the biggest professionals in the industry.” This festival not only fosters artistic growth but also builds a network of aspiring artists passionate about theater.
