JTF Junior Team 2025 (Ages 8 - 16)
ABOUT JTF
We’re thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our 2025 Junior Theatre Festival team!
JTF is an incredible event where students from across Europe come together to showcase a 15-minute musical theatre performance, which is professionally adjudicated by industry experts. The day is packed with inspiring workshops in dance, singing, and acting, led by top professionals, plus incredible performances!
We’re so excited to be returning to the ICC Birmingham, an amazing venue that offers a fantastic opportunity for feedback, growth, and a full day of musical theatre madness!
If you’re passionate, dedicated, and love performing, we want to hear from you! Apply now and be part of an unforgettable experience!
📅 Applications are now open - don’t miss out!
ABOUT AUDITIONS
We’re excited to welcome new members to our JTF 2025 team! 🎭
An Audition Workshop will be held on Monday, 3rd February from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM for all children interested in joining. Due to high demand and limited spaces, this audition process helps us build a strong and committed team.
🔹 We have approximately 35 spaces available.
🔹 No preparation needed – just turn up and take part!
🔹 Following the workshop, we will select and allocate places to successful applicants.
ABOUT REHEARSALS & COMMITMENT
Rehearsals for our JTF 2025 team will begin the following week, starting Monday, 10th February (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM). There will be a total of 10 rehearsals leading up to the festival, where we will prepare a 15-minute performance to be adjudicated by West End and international professionals.
SHOW SELECTION
We will choose our show title once we have cast our JTF team. Currently, we are considering Oliver Jr, Shrek Jr, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr – however, this may change, and we will select a show that best showcases the group’s talents.
📌 Please Note: If your child has previously performed in the chosen show with us before JTF in a specific role, they may be considered for the same role, but this is not guaranteed. All roles will be re-auditioned within class to ensure the best possible showcase of our team’s talent.
ABOUT SOLO ROLES
✨ JTF is all about teamwork! While some members may be excited about potential solo lines, it’s important to understand that this is an ensemble-based performance. Not every child will have a solo, and casting decisions will be made to create the strongest overall performance that represents our fabulous musical theatre company.
🔹 If a child is only interested in taking part if they have a solo role, this may not be the right opportunity for them.
🔹 We expect all students to embrace their allocated roles with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Casting decisions are final and made with the goal of delivering the best group performance possible.
🔹 Individual roles will be allocated by the end of February.
🔹 Auditions for roles will take place during class in the first few weeks.
🔹 Last year’s AllStars included students with no solo lines - JTF recognises teamwork and dedication, so every performer has a chance to shine!
We can’t wait to get started and bring this incredible experience to life! 🎶✨
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST
There is a cost for each child involved in the day and rehearsal process. We have tried our best to keep the cost as low as possible - and the Wigle team will be working multiple extra hours to create the content and preparations for sessions.
The cost for each student is £189.00 and will include: MTI registration fee, entrance to the festival, a group T-Shirt, masterclasses lead by industry professionals and a live performance by guest stars from the West End, Shrewsbury - Birmingham return coach fee, chaperone fee and contribution to Wigle teaching time.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
For those interested in applying for a space at JTF 2025, please complete the form below and attend the workshop audition on Monday 3rd February. We look forward to our fourth JTF!
WHAT TO BRING TO THE FESTIVAL
Children are required to wear black bottoms (Joggers, shorts, leggings), black footwear (we recommend trainers) and black socks. Children will be handed their JTF t-shirt once onboard the coach.
Lunch is not provided this year so all children are required to bring food for the entire day.
There is a subway, WHSMITHS/Londis and Starbucks on site - however these are often very busy with queues of over 30 mins. We recommend bringing two packed lunches. One for lunch and one for evening dinner. We also suggest plenty of energy snacks and drink. If your child doesn't eat breakfast at home, make sure they have something for breakfast too.
ABOUT THE DAY – SATURDAY 24TH MAY 2025
We’re so excited for an unforgettable day at the Junior Theatre Festival! 🎭
TRAVEL DETAILS
📍 Departure: 6:45 AM from Abbey Foregate Car Park, Shrewsbury (please arrive no later than 6:40 AM).
🚌 Coach Company: Boultons Coaches
📍 Return: Departing ICC Birmingham at approximately 7:15 PM, arriving back in Shrewsbury around 8:45 PM.
WHAT TO EXPECT
🌟 MORNING WARM-UP
The day kicks off with an energising mass warm-up in the main arena!
🎭 ADJUDICATION – PART 1
Each group performs a 15-minute Broadway Junior musical for a panel of leading theatre professionals. Performances are adjudicated on music, acting, dance, and overall presentation. Groups will also have the opportunity to watch other performances in their colour pod.
☕ MORNING BREAK
A quick refresh - children can enjoy their snacks, water, and stretch their legs.
🎭 ADJUDICATION – CONTINUED
Performances resume with valuable feedback from industry professionals.
⭐ ALLSTARS ANNOUNCEMENT
Two students from each group will be selected as AllStars, based on their standout performances!
🥪 LUNCH BREAK
After a morning of performances, we’ll break for lunch. Lunch is not provided, so all students must bring a packed lunch with plenty of snacks to last the day. We recommend bringing two packed meals—one for lunch and one for dinner. If your child doesn’t eat breakfast at home, we suggest packing something for the morning too!
🎶 NEW WORKS SHOWCASE
A sneak peek at two brand-new Broadway Junior musicals before they are officially released! Over the past two years, our Wigle team had the incredible opportunity to perform Finding Nemo and The Drowsy Chaperone in full costume on the main stage! A West End star will also perform and take part in a Q&A session with students.
💃 WORKSHOPS WITH WEST END PROFESSIONALS
Students will rotate through three interactive workshops in acting, singing, and dancing, led by West End professionals and master teachers from around the world! Dance workshops are even taught by choreographers from West End shows, featuring real routines from current productions.
🎭 ALLSTARS REHEARSAL
AllStar students will take part in exclusive workshops and rehearse a featured number, which they will perform on the main stage at the Awards Ceremony!
🏆 GUEST PERFORMANCES & AWARDS CEREMONY
The day concludes with a spectacular celebration featuring:
✨ Performances by the AllStars
✨ Outstanding group performances selected from the morning adjudications
✨ Awards for excellence in dance, music, acting, and ensemble, as well as outstanding individual performances
✨ Special performances from West End guest stars
🚌 DEPARTURE
The coach will leave ICC Birmingham at 7:15 PM, with an estimated arrival back in Shrewsbury around 8:45 PM.
Get ready for an action-packed day full of musical theatre magic! 🎭✨
OUR PERFORMANCES
OUR ADJUDICATED PERFORMANCE
This year we are entering the festival with a 15 minute performance from Madagascar Jr - although this may change should signups lead us to another show option.
The whole piece will be an ensemble section and the group will be involved throughout the complete 15 minute performance. There will be harmonies to learn and fun choreography of varying difficulty levels. There will be solo opportunities dependant on the section of the show selected that will be cast following the completion of the team - however the whole experience is designed to be a team effort!
This is a trip not to be missed!
THE REHEARSALS
All rehearsals will take place at Quarry Studios
Tuesday 27th February -5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 5th March - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 12th March - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 19th March - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 9th April - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 16th April - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 23rd April - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Sunday 28th April - 3.30pm - 6.00pm (should it be required)
Tuesday 30th April - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 7rd May - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
Tuesday 14th May - 5.00pm - 6.30pm
THE DATE OF THE FESTIVAL
Saturday 18th May 2024
COST
£162
There is a cost for each child involved in the day and rehearsal process. We have tried our best to keep the cost as low as possible - and the Wigle team will be working multiple extra hours to create the content and preparations for sessions.
MTI registration fee, entrance to the festival, a group T-Shirt, masterclasses lead by industry professionals and a live performance by guest stars from the West End, Shrewsbury - Birmingham return coach fee, chaperone fee and contribution to Wigle teaching time.
Full payment is not due until two weeks before the showcase - but a deposit of £60.00 is required by Tuesday 5th March 2024.
HOW TO SIGN UP
If you would like to be considered to be a part of this team, please attend an audition on Tuesday 27th February at Wigle Studios, the Quarry from 5.00 - 6.30pm.
Students do not need to prepare anything - just turn up!