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Junior Theatre Festival Australia

THE JUNIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST CELEBRATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND MUSICAL THEATRE!

Alongside JTF Atlanta, JTF Sacramento, JTF Europe and JTF New Zealand, the Junior Theatre Festival Australia enjoys a large network of JTF festivals worldwide.

 

JTF Australia is seen in the eyes of the global community as an event meeting the criteria of international standards, allowing us to begin expanding our program with additional workshops and opportunities for our students and teachers as our festival continues to grow. 

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Produced by OzTheatrics and under the educational and artistic supervision of iTheatrics, sponsored by Music Theatre International Australasia, the Junior Theatre Festival Australia (JTF Australia) brings students, teachers and industry professionals together to celebrate outstanding student musical theatre productions.

Junior Theatre Festival Australia

Civic Theatre Newcastle, NSW

October 25 & 26, 2024

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Registrations close Wednesday 21st August

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Festival events include: adjudications, student workshops, professional developement for teachers, the New Works Showcase, an awards ceremony and the largest collection of Aussie musical theater lovers under one roof. Held annually in Newcastle, NSW, JTF Australia has become a must attend musical theatre event. The festival welcomes special industry and celebrity guests each year and since its inception in 2016, JTF Australia has grown from 250 people in attendance to over 1,000 attendees. It is a weekend of true musical theatre madness that is not to be missed!

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2024 guests to be announced shortly:

2024 JTF Logo.png
Special Guest TBA
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Special Guest TBA
2024 JTF Logo.png
Special Guest TBA

JTF Australia FAQs

WHAT IS JTF Australia?

The Junior Theatre Festival Australia is the largest celebration of musical theater for young people in Australia and is produced by OzTheatrics in partnership with iTheatrics (NY) and MTI Australasia.

 

WHEN IS JTF Australia?

JTF Australia is an annual event and is generally held annually over the last weekend in October at the Civic Theatre In Newcastle which is an hour and a half North of Sydney. Although it is usually held over the last weekend in October, it can sometimes be as early as September.

 

WHY SHOULD MY GROUP ATTEND JTF Australia?

JTF Australia gives everyone who attends the opportunity to experience the transformative power of musical theatre through watching performances, attending workshops, and making connections with other musical theatre groups from across the country.

 

WHO ATTENDS JTF Australia?

Any school, after-school or community theatre group or academy that has done or is planning to do a Broadway JR. or KIDS collection show licenced through MTI Australasia.

 

IF I’M NOT PART OF A GROUP, CAN I COME TO THE EVENT?

Teachers, Directors and any adult who works with young people in musical theatre can attend JTF Australia on the Professional Development Track. Students must be part of a group.

 

IS THERE A ONE DAY PASS?

No, there is not a one day pass available. Everyone who attends the event must either pay the participation fee and attend with a group or pay the registration fee to attend on the Professional Development Track.

 

IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS?

Any student between the ages of 8 and 18 is welcome to attend and perform with a group.

 

WHAT SIZE IS A TYPICAL GROUP?

20-50 students. There is a minimum of 30 participants per group for JTF Australia. This number includes students, chaperones, directors and any additional family and friends.

 

WHAT DOES A GROUP DO AT JTF Australia?

Groups perform a 15 minute selection from one Broadway JR. or KIDS Collection show for adjudication, participate in workshops specifically designed for student performers, and watch outstanding performances by their peers.

 

IS THERE PROGRAMMING FOR MY TECHNICAL THEATRE STUDENTS?

Not at this stage. But, as the event continues to grow we are looking at ways we can incorporate those of your students with a technical interest.

 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

We’re completely online! If you want to register a group, fill out the online registration page with your $350 non-refundable group registration fee. If you are registering on the Professional Development track and do not wish to bring a group, fill out the same registration with your $180 participation fee.

 

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTED?

We accept payments through our online portal. You will receive your own personal group portal link once you sign up. Under extenuating circumstances we will accept bank transfers. We do not accept cash or cheques.

 

WHEN DO I NEED TO REGISTER BY?

Registration opens for returning groups straight away after the previous year's event. New groups can register from mid February. Registration closes when all slots are full. 

 

I FILLED OUT MY REGISTRATION FORM. NOW WHAT?

Our event coordinator will review your registration and email you when you have been officially accepted into the festival. This typically takes 1 month from the time of receipt. If you are not accepted, it means the event is sold out or your information is not complete and your registration fee will not be processed.

 

AFTER I RECEIVE MY ACCEPTANCE, WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO DO?

You will receive a personal portal link where all of your groups forms need to be filled out by the due date. These forms and full participant payment are due two months prior to the event. We can not add extra participants to your group after the due date.

 

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?

To keep up to speed follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #JTFOz and handle @juniortheatrefestivalaustralia

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