Local theater students and educators showcased their talents and earned prestigious awards at the 2026 Junior Theater Festival held in Atlanta, Georgia, from January 16 to 18. This annual event celebrates young performers from around the world and is recognized as “the world’s biggest celebration of young people performing musical theater.” Sponsored by prominent organizations such as iTheatrics, Music Theatre International, Disney Musicals, and Playbill, the festival welcomed 141 student groups from 31 U.S. states and eight countries including Australia, England, and France.
Among the 7,176 attendees were three local groups: the Pioneer Players from North Whitfield Middle School, the drama club from Westside Middle School, and the ACT 2 group from the Artistic Civic Theatre. Students participated in various workshops focusing on acting, dance, technical theater, and music, culminating in performances of 15-minute excerpts from Broadway Junior shows, which were evaluated by industry experts.
The festival concluded with a concert by Jasmine Amy Rogers, a Tony nominee and former JTF student, which was a highlight for many participants. According to Ashlyn Barnett, the musical theater teacher at North Whitfield, “The kids really enjoyed that.”
Outstanding Performances and Accolades
The Pioneer Players performed a rendition of Alice in Wonderland Junior with a cast of 38 students, receiving the Freddie G. Award for “Excellence in Music.” Barnett noted that this was their third consecutive year winning this award. Additionally, three students were recognized individually for their contributions, including eighth-grade student Blakely Nix, who played Alice and was named “Outstanding Student Choreographer.”
Barnett expressed pride in the diversity of the group, emphasizing that they included students from various local schools. “Out of our 38 students, 34 were performers while four worked in the technical theater track,” she said.
The festival also honored two local students, Bo Owen and Zeydi Canales, as “All-Stars” for their roles in the production. Notably, two students received callbacks for a summer program in New York City focused on creating choreography videos for new Junior musicals.
In recognition of her contributions, Barnett was awarded the Freddie G. Fellowship, which provides selected educators with a trip to New York City to collaborate with industry professionals and access a network of theater educators.
Success Across the Board
The Westside Middle School drama club also achieved significant accolades, earning a Freddie G. Award for “Best Ensemble” for their performance of Shrek the Musical Junior. The group, comprising 25 participants, included students from both Westside Middle and Northwest Whitfield High School.
The drama club’s members Kobe Martinez and Knox Ogle received All-Star awards, and a quartet of students, including Martinez and Ella Rose, auditioned for the iTheatrics summer program in New York. According to theater teacher Jennifier Akers, the students performed exceptionally well in various workshops and competitions, including a “Tech Olympics” event that simulated backstage experiences.
The ACT 2 group, featuring 23 students, performed Seussical Junior and received the Freddie G. Award for “Excellence in Ensemble.” Kate Southerland, managing director of the Artistic Civic Theatre, highlighted the importance of collaborative storytelling in theater and praised the students’ dedication.
The festival not only recognizes talent but also fosters a supportive community among young performers. Southerland noted the enriching experience of sharing feedback and celebrating each other’s accomplishments, which reinforces the notion that “our youth is the heartbeat of the arts.”
Both North Whitfield and Westside Middle School groups are preparing for local performances in the upcoming weeks, with the Pioneer Players set to present their 15-minute cut of Alice in Wonderland Junior on January 30, and the Westside drama club performing the full version of Shrek the Musical Junior from April 31 to May 2.
