Junior Theatre Festival Australia
Professional Development
THERE REALLY IS AN EASIER WAY TO PUT ON A MUSICAL WITH KIDS. LET US SHOW YOU HOW THROUGH OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS.
Our roster of professional development teaching artists from iTheatrics (NY) have decades of experience, have adapted over 60 musicals for kids to perform and have written musical theatre "how-to" guides for Music Theatre International, Disney Theatrical Productions, Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc., Rodgers & Hammerstein, Hal Leonard Publishing and MacMillan/McGraw-Hill.
We teach our workshops just like we teach our own students, with an emphasis on experiential learning, active skill building, and an overall focus on fun.
Junior Theatre Festival Australia
Civic Theatre Newcastle, NSW
October 31 & November 1, 2025
Registrations open soon
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TEACHER & DIRECTOR WELCOME
Presenters: Various
About: Kick off your JTF Australia experience with our Teacher and Director Welcome event, exclusively for those on the Professional Development track and directors of groups attending the festival. This gathering is a great opportunity to connect with fellow educators and directors, exchange ideas, and set the stage for a transformative festival experience. Enjoy light refreshments as you meet the team behind JTF Australia and get an overview of the exciting events and workshops lined up for you.
Workshop 1:
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Workshop 2:
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Workshop 3:
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Workshop 4:
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Workshop 5:
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Panel 1: INSIGHTS
Speakers: TBA
About: Join us for Insights, a live on-stage panel discussion featuring special celebrity guests from Australia’s current hit musical theatre shows. Hosted by Producer Daniel Stoddart, this event delves into the careers of notable performers, exploring how they built their musical theatre careers, their goals, passions, and insights into the future of the industry in Australia. With surprise performances and unexpected moments, Insights offers an unforgettable experience for all attendees. You never know what will happen during Insights!
Panel 2:
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ADJUDICATION OBSERVATION
Presenters: Various
About: Observe outstanding student groups from all over Australia perform highlights from their school or academies Broadway JR. and KIDS musicals for industry feedback. Then get tips from Broadway artists and clinicians to take back to your school as they work with large student groups to enhance their performances. Not only will you take away new tools and strategies to try with your students, but you may even discover your school or academies' next musical.
NEW WORKS SHOWCASE
Presenters: Various student casts
About: Join us for the New Works Showcase at JTF Australia, exclusively for teachers in the Professional Development track and festival participants. Be among the first to experience exciting new Broadway Junior musicals, brought to life by talented young casts from all over Australia and New Zealand. See how these fresh shows perform on stage and assess their suitability for your students or group. This showcase offers a unique opportunity to experience highlights from brand new shows that could become the next favourite in your line up. Don’t miss this chance to discover what’s new in the Broadway Junior world!
PILOT PRESENTATIONS
Presenters: Various student casts
About: The Pilot Workshop program at JTF Australia gives teachers an exclusive look into the creation of brand new musical adaptations. Each year, a different title is chosen by musical theatre licensing companies like Music Theatre International Australasia and directed by industry experts in partnership with iTheatrics (NY). In the week leading up to the festival, students rehearse in a fast-paced workshop environment, culminating in a final performance exclusively for festival participants. This is a unique opportunity for teachers to observe these new musicals in their developmental stages, focusing on storytelling over production value, and witness the process of bringing new works to life.
ENCORE FAREWELL DRINKS
About: Join us for the Encore Farewell Drinks, an exclusive event just for teachers and directors at JTF Australia. This relaxed gathering offers a perfect opportunity to unwind, reflect on the insights gained, and celebrate the connections made throughout the festival. Enjoy a casual sneaky beverage with fellow educators and directors—no parents, students, or chaperones allowed—where you can share stories and takeaways from the last two days. Raise a glass to new friendships and the exciting journey ahead in musical theatre education.
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* Please note OzTheatrics reserves the right to make changes to all workshop content and workshop presenters if necessary. The above information is provided in good faith and is true and accurate at time of publication and is subject to change.
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. 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 recieve 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