Young Aussies on Broadway

Young Aussie musical theatre stars from all over the nation embarked on the performance tour of a lifetime in January, which took them to New York City, to the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, and ended in Hollywood.

The intrepid team of 41 “Aussie All-Stars” participated in theatrical performance workshops in New York, saw Broadway shows, represented Australia at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta and took part in the Disney Performing Arts program in California.

The ensemble was comprised of individually selected students who auditioned as part of the Junior Theatre Celebration Australia.

In New York City, the Aussie All-Stars collaborated on a 15-minute performance piece featuring selections from the musical Madagascar - A Musical Adventure JR, under the creative direction of Australian Daniel Stoddart, along with New York-based Australian choreographer Scott Morris.  They gave a preview performance of their 15-minute excerpt for an exclusive audience including MTI Co-Chairman, Freddie Gershon and MTI Australasia’s Managing Director, Stuart Hendricks.

Following their time in New York, the students joined 7,000 like-minded young performers in Atlanta at the massive Junior Theater Festival, described by the New York Times as a “rousing celebration of theatre”.
The Aussie All-Stars performed their Madagascar: A Musical Adventure JR. except for adjudication and received wonderful feedback.

They watched performances by their peers and were privileged to meet some of Broadway’s best, including composing duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land & The Greatest Showman).