Performers from Berwick’s Masquerade Youth Productions (MYP) won the top award of Outstanding Production at the inaugural Junior Theatre Celebration Melbourne in Bunjil Place on Saturday 27 July.
The 30 MYP students, all aged 10 to 17, presented selections from Disney’s Frozen Kids, with MYP’s creative team selecting songs that featured the cast members individually and as a group, joined with cohesive choreography that enhanced the story-telling.
Judged by some of the biggest names in theatre, both NIDA graduate and head of acting for Lisa-Marie Parker’s Vocal studios, Olivia Charalambous and leading lady from Moulin Rouge, Alinta Chidzay described the performance as “amazing”, “excellent” and a “breakthrough”.
After the group’s performance in the adjudication, they took part in workshops with internationally renowned coaches, with 13 MYP performers also taking part in a week-long workshop to present Mean Girls Jr., which closed on the day of celebration.
The event itself, JTC Melbourne, marks the city’s debut into the family of international junior theatre festivals, joining the ranks of similar celebrations across the globe.
Event producer of JTC Melbourne, Daniel Stoddart said that “bringing the Junior Theatre Celebration to Melbourne is a dream come true”.
“We’re thrilled to expand the Junior Theatre universe into Australia’s musical theatre capital.”
Oz Theatrics has successfully produced the Junior Theatre Australia at the Civic Theatre Newcastle for nine years, and Melbourne will not host the second annual event in Australia.
Overall, the celebration was a huge success and was enjoyed by the young performers and audience alike, with 600 JTC attendees lavishing in two songs from Lucy Durack.
“JTC Melbourne will help us make our events accessible to more students across the country, allowing young performers to showcase their creativity and celebrate their hard work,” Mr Stoddart said.
