Schools on Stage

Ninth Annual Junior Theatre Festival Australia Returns To Newcastle

Festival to Showcase New Broadway Junior Musicals and Feature Global Theatre Experts

The Junior Theatre Festival Australia (JTF Australia) is set to return to the Civic Theatre Newcastle from October 25-26, 2024 for its Ninth Annual Festival, bringing together some of the best young musical theatre talent from across Australia and New Zealand. This year’s festival promises to be the most spectacular yet, featuring exciting performances, workshops, and special appearances by some of the industry’s top talent.

Queens

By Kristen Doherty. St Marks Anglican Community School. Directed by Chris McRae. Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex, St Marks Anglican Community School, Whitfords WA. 12-13 September, 2024

The Lion King Jr

By Elton John, Tim Rice, Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. Kalamunda Senior High School. Directed by Anna Head. Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, WA. Aug 30-31, 2024

Kalamunda Senior High School’s production of Disney The Lion King Jr, was a huge production that featured a cast of 92, hundreds of costumes, contribution from multiple departments within the school and parent involvement. Playing for a very short season, the final day included three public performances to capacity audiences.

Mamma Mia!

By Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. St Mark’s Theatre Company, St Marks Anglican School. Directed by Chris McRae. Barbara Godwin Theatre, St Marks Anglican School, Hillarys, WA. Aug 7-10, 2024

St Mark’s Theatre Company embraced the joy of the Abba Musical, Mamma Mia! with a big production with high production values, that involved a plethora of people in the St Marks Anglican School community.

Schools Rock On Stage

Brentwood Secondary College in Melbourne staged Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock in 2023.

Bring It On

By Tom Kitt, Linn Manuel Miranda, Jeff Whitty and Amanda Green. Mercedes College Perth. Directed by Kathleen Cox. The Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA. Jul 26-28, 2024

Mercedes College presented the vibrant “cheer” musical Bring It On, at The Regal Theatre, in a well-directed, highly exuberant show, with outstanding production values, that showcased the talents of the college while giving the audience a great time.

International Theatre Festival Arrives in Melbourne

The city of Melbourne is set to host its very first Junior Theatre Celebration Melbourne (JTC Melbourne) on July 27, 2024 at the Bunjil Place Theatre in Narre Warren. This event offers an opportunity for students and teachers passionate about musical theatre to come together, share their talents, and learn from industry professionals.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

By William Shakespeare. Holy Cross College Senior School Drama. Directed by Shelly Miller. New Norcia Building, Holy Cross College, Ellenbrook, WA. July 17-20, 2024

Holy Cross College Senior School Drama present A Midsummer Night’s Dream in their nicely appointed black box theatre. The Bard is a challenge for actors of any age, and these young performers approach the task with enthusiasm and gusto.

Kate Mulvany OAM, Andy Griffiths and more at Bell Shakespeare’s NESA-accredited National Teacher Conference

Bell Shakespeare has recently announced its 2024 National Teacher Conference is now NESA-accredited. Taking place at Bell Shakespeare’s Sydney headquarters and online on 9 – 10 August 2024, the National Teacher Conference, proudly supported by Teachers Mutual Bank, will offer an enriching two days of conversation and learning  about Shakespeare and the way we teach his plays.

Disney’s Aladdin Jr

By Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguilin. Primadonna Productions. Directed by Carole Dhu. Pinjarra Civic Centre, WA. Jun 28-29, 2024

Primadonna Productions, just a week after their previous production, have mounted a very short season of Disney’s Aladdin Jr, with a cast ranging from tots to older teens. A most endearing production, this show features all Primadonna’s young performance troupe, with seven performing for the very first time.