SATURDAY 8 MAY 2021 DIGITAL BROCHURE
TECH TIPS
Once you’ve set up your account for JTF Online you’ll receive an email containing an access link to the event. The email will be from our friends at All Together Now. The subject heading of the email will be: You’re In! Get ready for the Junior Theatre Festival Online!. • If you click on your access link and the event hasn’t started yet, you are taken to the event preview page. You can use this time to familiarise yourself with the virtual venue as well as editing your profile (name, headline etc.). • If you click on your access link when the event is live, you will be taken straight to the Lobby.
PRE-EVENT CHECKLIST • Best viewing experience: JTF Online is best viewed using Google Chrome, in full screen mode on a desktop or laptop computer. • Prepare your device: before entering the venue, restart your computer and close extra tabs. If your WiFi is iffy and you are able, use a cable to hardwire into your internet. • Pro tip: make sure your browser is up to date! • Arrive early! The Venue is open as of 12:00PM BST on Saturday 8th May - take a look around and get comfy.
TECH SUPPORT • A page refresh will fix most problems in most areas of the Virtual Venue. • Close as many tabs, apps and programs as possible.
If you’re having issues during the event be sure to visit the Tech Support room. You’ll see a link in the venue menu.
Welcome to our very first Junior Theatre Festival ONLINE! With 2020 well and truly behind us, and with renewed energy and optimism for 2021, we are delighted to welcome you to the Junior Theatre Festival world once again. Although we’re online we’re determined to bring everyone together for an afternoon of fun, positivity, celebration and, of course, plenty of jazz hands and spirit fingers! I’ve heard some wonderful stories over the last few months about theatre-making in the most difficult of circumstances. Whether it was rehearsals and performances online or moving to the great outdoors, it has been uplifting to hear what you’ve been up to. Congratulations to you all for keeping musical theatre alive over the last 12 months. You’re all truly an inspiration! JTF Online has been a real labour of love. We’ve spent hours pouring over all the wonderful interviews, performances and show footage as well as all of your wonderful videos, and we can’t wait to share it all with you. You’re in for a treat. I’d like to offer my deepest thanks to all the talented artists who have agreed to take part today, Tina and Peter and all at Belfast School of the Performing Arts who braved wind, rain and even snow(!) to film their Matilda the Musical numbers, Joey Henshaw our incredible film director and editor and, of course, to our JTF partners at iTheatrics: Tim, Marty, Lindsay, Jiana, Susie, Dan, Steven and Laura Jo. I wish you all a truly fabulous JTF, and hope I can see you all later in the year ‘in person’. Remember, you make the world a better place one musical at a time! So help me Sondheim,
Ryan Macaulay Producer, Junior Theatre Festival Europe
THE JUNIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL IS PRODUCED BY:
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
SPECIAL GUESTS & JTF ONLINE STAFF Mary Poppins Workshop & Juliet Workshop The Actor’s Toolkit Workshop The Singer’s Toolkit Workshop Teachers’ Workshops Direct From The West End Matilda Takeover Special Guest Performers Teacher Number Choreographer ‘Mix and Mingle’ MTI Hosts ‘Mix and Mingle’ iTheatrics Hosts Venue Manager Technical Engineer Venue Moderator Technical Support Junior Theatre Festival Founder Film Director & Editor Presenter & Producer
Amy Leighton, Felicity Sparks Josh Baker Racky Plews Daniel J. Mertzlufft Marty Johnson, Timothy Allen McDonald David Blake, Janique Charles, Karl Queensborough Miriam-Teak Lee , Alexzander Sarmiento Luke Sheppard Belfast School of Performing Arts, Tom Brown Kerry Ingram, Dennis Kelly, Tim Minchin Lotte Wakeham Alexia Khadime, Rob Houchen, Jamie Muscato Steven G. Kennedy Ryan Macaulay, Ian Reeder, Rupert Sharp Marty Johnson, Timothy Allen McDonald Lindsay Weiner Lupi Jiana Odland Susan Fuller Laura Jo Schuster Timothy Allen McDonald Joey Henshaw Ryan Macaulay
THANKS Zareen Walker, Hannah Johnson, Matt Gordon, Alan Finch, Nancy Shakerley, Amy Clarke Jess Francis, Sally Ingram, Jane Brown, Caroline Chignell, Laura Maniura, Mel Kenyon Demi Pham, Jonathan Moss, Bert Fink, Sean Gray, Emma Dolan, Alex Dangerfield Simon Land, Debbie Sharp, Robert J. Stanex, Tina McVeigh, Peter Corry students and chaperones at Belfast School of Performing Arts, Shane Bransdon Daniel Stoddart, Stuart Hendricks, Emma Bishop, Cindy Ripley, Matthew Chandler-Garcia
JTF ONLINE CODE OF CONDUCT All participants must comply with the JTF Online Code of Conduct. The JTF Online Code of Conduct ensures that our event is safe and secure. • Student participants must leave their cameras OFF at all times. • Audio should be muted unless otherwise instructed. • Participants must never share their screen. • Inappropriate language, gestures, or signage will not be tolerated. • Any users that disrupt the Festival or act inappropriately will be removed and banned from the event • Participants should have enough space to sing, dance, and act freely. • Ensure your space is well lit and free of objects that may cause injury.
PREMIERE: 5PM DURING THE FESTIVAL FINALE
CAST LIST
Ariana Barker, Pola Bogusz, Eloise Broderick Juliana Broderick, Beau Burns-Tucker Nuala Cameron-Finn, Sarah Carr, Maia Frantova Sophia Guarino, Aibhín Hughes, Seren Kay Emma Kelleher, Catherine Leahy Clarice Makarevitch, Sam Murray Matthew Nolan, Conor Ó hÓisín Clarissa O’Sullivan, Daisy Wade
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Music Director Choreographer Stage Manager Sound Engineer Video Director & Editor
Marty Johnson Lindsay Lupi Jiana Odland Susan Fuller Daniel J. Merzlufft Tommy Figel
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 12:00PM: DIRECTOR’S MIX AND MINGLE JTF Studio Spaces
A chance for group leaders, teachers and directors to meet each other and chat with staff from MTI and iTheatrics about all things Broadway Junior and JTF. Room 1: Ryan Macaulay & Marty Johnson Room 2: Ian Reeder, Rupert Sharp & Timothy Allen McDonald
1:00PM: FESTIVAL WELCOME Broadway JR Theatre
You’ll hear all about the day ahead, meet the other groups, take ‘The Pledge’ and participate in a warm-up designed to get you ready for the afternoon.
1:30PM: WORKSHOP SESSION #1 JTF Studio Spaces
You should select one workshop from the list below: Disney & Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins Student Dance Workshop Disney Teaching Artists lead this fun-filled workshop which takes you through the choreography to one of the show’s showstopping numbers, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. & Juliet Student Dance Workshop Assistant dance captain and cast member Josh Baker will teach students the choreography to Show Me Love from the West End’s hottest new show. Building Your Theatrical Community Teacher Workshop Many hands make light work and that is especially true when it comes to musicals. iTheatrics’ own dynamic duo Lindsay Lupi and Marty Johnson share their knowledge to help you get your community invested in your next production! Best practices covered include ideas on communication, sharing resources, and ensuring all students onstage and backstage have positive experiences.
2:30PM: DIRECT FROM THE WEST END Broadway JR Theatre
The West End may be paused for now, but that doesn’t stop the stars from its most exciting musicals from dropping by! Join MTI’s Ryan Macaulay as he chats with performers and creatives from Hamilton, Disney’s The Lion King and & Juliet. Featuring:
David Blake
Janique Charles
Miriam-Teak Lee
Karl Queensborough
Alexzander Sarmiento
Luke Sheppard
3:15PM: WORKSHOP SESSION #2 JTF Studio Spaces
You should select one workshop from the list below: The Actor’s Toolbox Student Acting Workshop Director Racky Plews (American Idiot, Thoroughly Modern Millie) gets students up on their feet to explore two of the most dynamic tools a performer can use – their speaking voice and their body. The Singer’s Toolbox Student Music Workshop Tik Tok sensation Daniel J. Mertzlufft (Ratatouille The Musical) leads this interactive vocal workshop with a focus on sharing techniques every student can use to sound their best in their next school musical. Bringing the Text To Life Teacher Workshop iTheatrics’ Timothy Allen McDonald will share insight from the point of view of a director, educator and playwright on how to get your students to dig deeper into the text of their next production. Learn what questions to ask and what activities to do to inspire excellence in both rehearsal and performance.
4:15PM “MATILDA” TAKEOVER Broadway JR Theatre
The spotlight shines on this most ‘revolting’ of shows which has taken the world by storm since it premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon back in 2010. Belfast School of Performing Arts open the section with a specially created performance. Authors Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly pop by to answer all your questions. We’ll also be speaking with original Matilda herself Kerry Ingram, as well as being joined by the show’s longest running Bruce Bogtretter, Tom Brown, and associate director Lotte Wakeham. We may also have an extra special surprise for you!
5:00PM: FESTIVAL FINALE Broadway JR Theatre
A celebration of musical theatre magic featuring special guest performances from Alexia Khadime, Rob Houchen and Jamie Muscato, the premiere of our Shrek the Musical JR. Zoomsical and an All Star performance of ‘When I Grow Up’ featuring members from all participating groups.
SPECIAL GUESTS JOSH BAKER
Training: Bird College of Dance & Sylvia Young Theatre School. Theatre credits include: Dick Whittington’s Cat in Dick Whittington (Mayflower Theatre Southampton), ensemble in Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), ensemble in Oklahoma! (Grange Park Theatre), Once-Ler Family/ ensemble in The Lorax, (Old Vic & The Royal Alexandra), Dancer at The Queen’s 90th Birthday (Windsor), Dancer in Alternative Hair Show (Royal Albert Hall), Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical (Victoria Palace), Jimmy in Holby City (BBC) and Dancer in Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th Birthday (London Palladium). Instagram: @Joshbaker98
DAVID BLAKE
Place of Birth: St Andrew, Jamaica Training: Cathy Levy Performing Arts Academy, California State University Theatre: The Nutcracker (California); Jesus 2000 (US tour) Television: Los Angeles Holiday Concert (PBS); Live at the Ford (KCET); Royal Palm Estate (CVM) Film: Ascension Day; Dreamgirls Other: David was a principle dancer with the National Dance Theatre of Jamaica, he also performed with various dance companies in California. David holds a BA in Marketing from the California State University and a Professional Dance Teaching Licentiate from IDTA.
TOM BROWN
Tom’s most recent work was as Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre (2018-2020). He amassed 148 performances, making him the longest playing Bruce in the world!! He also performed professionally at Charing Cross Theatre in The Braille Legacy in 2017. Tom is a member of The British Theatre Academy (BTA) where he has performed in many lead roles from the age of 7. A few examples are Michael in “Mary Poppins” at Hampton Hill Theatre, the title role of “Oliver” at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall and the role of Colin in The Secret Garden at the Ambassador’s Theatre, London. Tom has also been involved in workshopping the choreography for the new Matilda film to be released in 2021/22. As well as this he has recorded two junior soundtracks for MTi - Matilda (as Bruce Bogtrotter) and Oliver! (as Oliver).
JANIQUE CHARLES
Place of Birth: Trinidad & Tobago Theatre: The Lion King (UK tour) The Lion King marks Janique’s West End debut.
DISNEY THEATRICAL TEACHING ARTISTS
Disney Theatrical Teaching Artists are professional singers, actors and dancers that have wealth of experience in and a passion for working with young people. They are selected and trained by the Disney Theatrical Group to run pre-show workshops for both Disney shows currently running in the West End, The Lion King and Mary Poppins. They also teach on the Disney Musicals in Schools primary school residency programme.
ROB HOUCHEN
Rob trained at Guildford School of Acting. Rob is due to play Marius in Les Miserables The Staged Concert (Sondheim) when it re-opens in May. Theatre credits include: The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall), Eugenius! (The Other Palace), Broken Wings (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Les Miserables 30th Anniversary (Japan), Titanic (Charing Cross Theatre), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), The 12 Tenors (World Wide Events), Godspell in Concert (The Lyric Theatre), Candide in Concert (Cadogan Hall), Peter Pan (Harlow Playhouse). Television credits include: ‘Tony’ West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic (BBC). Rob’s EP’s, ‘RH’ & ‘Within Reach’ are available on iTunes.
KERRY INGRAM
Kerry is 21 years old and lives in Bracknell Berkshire. She is best known for playing Becky in the Emmy award winning Netflix drama Free Rein and Shireen Baratheon in popular fantasy epic Game Of Thrones for HBO. Kerry also played Alice Williamson in the BBC historical drama Wolf Hall based on the Man Booker Prize winning novel
by Hilary Mantel. At the age of 12, she was presented with the Best Actress Olivier award for her performance in the original West End cast of Matilda the Musical. Kerry was thrilled to sing the Rings of Akhaten at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Dr Who 50th anniversary prom and other screen credits include the role of Hilde in the historical epic Barbarians Rising and Hannah Devlan and Lois Wren in BBC’s Doctors.
DENNIS KELLY
Work for theatre includes Debris, Osama the Hero, After the End, Love and Money, Taking Care of Baby, DNA, Orphans, The Gods Weep, and The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas. He has written the book for the new musical of Pinocchio which opened at the National Theatre at the end of 2017, and in 2018 his new play Girls and Boys opened at the Royal Court. His plays have been performed worldwide and to date have been translated into nearly forty languages. For television he co-wrote and co-created Pulling and wrote and created Utopia. For film, he wrote the screenplay for Black Sea, directed by Kevin MacDonald. He also wrote the book for the Olivier and Tony winning Matilda the Musical. In 2010, DNA became a set text on the GCSE English Literature syllabus.
ALEXIA KHADIME
Theatre: ‘Miriam’ in The Prince Of Egypt (Dominion), ‘Laura’ in The Distance You Have Come (Cockpit Theatre); ‘Rita Marley’ in One Love (Birmingham Rep); ‘Princess Tahlia’ in Sleeping Beauty (Hackney Empire); ‘Nabalungi’ in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales); ‘Alice’ in Dick Whittington (Hackney Empire); ‘Eponine’ in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre); ‘Deb’ in Ordinary Days (Trafalgar Studios); ‘Harmonia’ in Welcome to Thebes (National Theatre); ‘Elphaba’ in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre); ‘Nala’ in The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre); ‘Candy’ in Whistle Down the Wind (UK Tour); ‘Ronnie Spector’ in Leader of the Pack (UK Tour) and Cinderella (Hackney Empire). TV & Film: Alabama; Rocketman; Wanderlust; London Road; Splatalot; Les Misérables; Comin’ Atcha; The Queen’s Nose; The Bill; Grange Hill; MacGyver; Class Action. Recordings: Amazing Grace and Pride film soundtracks.
MIRIAM-TEAK LEE
Training: Arts Educational Schools London and The Morgan Aslanoff Dance School. Theatre credits include: & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre) for which she received the Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress in a Musical, original London cast of Hamilton (Victoria Palace) after making her professional debut in On the Town (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), for which she received Best Actress in a Musical at the 2017 Stage Debut Awards. Concert credits include: soloist in London Musical Theatre Orchestra’s A Christmas Carol at The Lyceum Theatre and soloist in The Ljubljana Music Festival in Slovenia with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Instagram: @miriamteak_lee
JAMIE MUSCATO
Jamie Muscato is a Londonbased film and stage actor who has performed in productions across the UK including Spring Awakening, Les Miserables, Dogfight, Bend it like Beckham, Lazarus and West Side Story. He was nominated for Best Actor in the 2019 WhatsOnStage awards for his role as JD in Heathers The Musical and also played a student in the 2012 film of Les Miserables.
TIM MINCHIN
Tim Minchin is an Australian musician, comedian, composer, actor, writer and director. He has toured extensively in the US, UK and Australia, performing solo, with bands, and with symphony orchestras. He’s released five DVDs, the most recent recorded with the Heritage Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. He is the composer lyricist of two hit West End / Broadway musicals, Matilda and Groundhog Day, both of which won the Olivier Award for Best West End Musical and garnered nominations for Best Score and Best Musical in Broadway’s Tony Awards. Minchin wrote, produced and starred in the Sky Atlantic / Foxtel TV series, Upright, in 2019. Other screen-acting credits include Atticus Fetch in Season 6 of Californication, a Logie Awardwinning Smasher Sullivan in the ABC’s Secret River, and Friar Tuck in Lionsgate’s Robin Hood reboot. Stage highlights include Judas in the UK / Australian Arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2012, and Rosencrantz in the Sydney Theatre Company’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead the following year. He has published two books: the graphic novel, “Storm”, and the illustrated childrens’ book, “When I Grow Up”. He is a member of the Order of Australia, a philanthropist and a mediocre juggler.
RACKY PLEWS
Racky trained at Arts Educational and Sylvia Young. Racky’s directing and choreography has taken her across the globe. Most recently she has directed and choreographed American Idiot in the West End and for the UK & International Tours. Racky has also recently created, directed and choreographed the largest and most technical production to date for Royal Caribbean on one of the biggest ships in the world. When lockdown was announced she was just about to start directing the UK tour of Footloose, which is due to start up again very soon. Directing and Choreography credits include: American Idiot (West End, UK & International Tour), Footloose (West End & UK Tour), Knights of the Rose (West End), Summer Holiday (UK Tour), Thoroughly Modern Millie (UK Tour & Canada), Vanities (Trafalgar Studios), Guys and Dolls, The Drowsy Chaperone & Into The Woods (The Gatehouse), Respect La Diva (West End), Jekyll and Hyde (UK Tour), The Effectors Superheroes (Spectrum of the Seas), and Josephine Baker (Beckett Theatre, New York).
LOTTE WAKEHAM
KARL QUEENSBOROUGH
Training: The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Theatre includes: Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton (Victoria Palace), White Teeth (Kiln), Sylvia (Old Vic/ZooNation), The Little Matchgirl (Shakespeare’s Globe/Bristol Old Vic), Aladdin, Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Jack and the Beastalk (Lyric), A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes (Tricycle), The Machine Stops (Theatre Royal York/Pilot Theatre), Only the Brave (Soho/Wales Millennium Centre/Bird Song). Television includes: Casualty and Enterprise Radio includes: Runner up Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award and Black Dog.
ALEXZANDRA SARMIENTO
Training: Fiorello H LaGuardia High School for Music and Art and Performing Arts in NYC and SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Theatre includes: Swing/Dance Captain in Hamilton (Victoria Palace), Connie Wong in A Chorus Line (London Palladium, Japan and USA), ensemble/Two Ladies in Rufus Norris’s Cabaret (UK tour), Lambchops in Fame (UK tour), Associate Choreographer/swing for In the Heights (King’s Cross Theatre), dance captain/ensemble for Strictly Ballroom (West Yorkshire Playhouse and Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto).
LUKE SHEPPARD
Luke Sheppard studied Drama at the University of Bristol and received the inaugural Noël Coward Trainee Director Award at Salisbury Playhouse. He is currently directing & Juliet, a major new musical soon to open in the West End. His production of In The Heights won three Olivier Awards, the Broadway World Award for Best New Production of a Musical, and received nine WhatsOnStage Award nominations including Best Director. His production of SPRING AWAKENING was awarded the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production. The Secret Diary of Adriam Mole Aged 13 3/4 received nominations for the Evening Standard Award for Best New Musical and the UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. Luke was also nominated for the Off West End Award for Best Director for Casa Valentina. He previously worked as Associate Director on several major productions including MATILDA at the RSC, in London and on Broadway.
Lotte became Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre Bolton in 2019. Prior to this she was Associate Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre. Recent directing credits include: Seagulls, Shirley Valentine, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Octagon), The World Goes Round, Di and Viv and Rose, Jess and Joe Forever (Stephen Joseph Theatre), The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson, The Buskers Opera (Park Theatre), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Jermyn Street/English Theatre Frankfurt; nominated as ‘Best Director’, Off West End Awards). Lotte is Associate Director of Matilda for the RSC (Stratford/West End/Broadway). She trained at the National Theatre Studio. @LotteWakeham
JTF ONLINE STAFF SUSAN FULLER
Susan’s theatre career began in the third grade when she starred as the title character in Miss Louisa and The Outlaws. It wasn’t until her sophomore year of high school when her drama teacher made her the stage manager of the spring musical that she realized (for her) backstage is where the theatre magic really happens. Susan is an Equity Stage Manager with a BFA in Theatre Design and Production from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Susan has been a part of iTheatrics from day one where she is the Senior Managing Editor, overseeing the publication process for all materials released by iTheatrics, from adapted titles to study guides and educational materials currently circulating in classrooms worldwide. She is the married to a ridiculous man who thinks she’s hysterically funny and the mom of two school-aged gingers, Beckett and Gus.
MARTY JOHNSON
Named by Playbill.com as one of the top ten educators who are shaping Broadway, Marty is the Director of Education and Resident Director for iTheatrics where he has had the honor of developing and directing over 60 new educational titles throughout the world, including projects in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, China, and the United States. Additionally, Marty takes on the role of Director of Programming for the Junior Theater Festivals and Celebrations worldwide. He holds a graduate degree in Theatre for Youth from the University of North CarolinaGreensboro and is the co-author of The iTheatrics Method: The Quintessential Guide to Creating Quality Musical Theatre Programs.
STEVEN G. KENNEDY
Steven began his career as a performer in New York and touring productions such as Me and My Girl, Crazy For You, 42nd Street, Joseph… and The Toy Shoppe (in which he had the distinguished honor of acting alongside the one and only “Gambler,” Kenny Rogers). He now serves as Vice President of Publishing for iTheatrics as well as Broadway Junior’s Resident Choreographer. He has choreographed the national tours of Broadway Junior on Tour, Disney’s Discover Theatre, The Ant and the Elephant, the hit production of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and A Year With Frog and Toad as well as the off-Broadway production of Dear Edwina.
LINDSAY WEINER LUPI
Lindsay was part of the first generation of young people to experience the transformative power of the arts through Broadway Junior®. At iTheatrics, Lindsay has the true pleasure of serving as the Music Supervisor, where she has music directed, musically adapted, and/or helped creatively shape over 90 adaptations. Additional music directing credits include the Disney+ series Encore!, NYMF, multiple national tours, and The Sign of the Seahorse and The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley JR. for the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. She holds her BFA in drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MA in Music and Music Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. Proud mom of five-year-old Tucker and three-year old Talia!
RYAN MACAULAY
Yorkshireman Ryan has been with MTI since 2006 after graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in Music Theatre. He worked in various departments of the hire library before joining the amateur licensing team in 2010. In January 2021 Ryan was appointed Director of Operations, Education &
Development. Ryan is particuarly passionate about musical theatre in education and is proud to produce the Junior Theatre Festival Europe, Europe’s biggest celebration of musical theatre for young people which takes place annually at The ICC in Birmingham. Outside of MTI, Ryan is a keen musical director and pianist, and has been involved with a number of amateur societies and youth groups across London. Productions include: Assassins, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Jekyll and Hyde, Legally Blonde, Little Shop of Horrors, Little Women, Ragtime, Rent, tick tick… BOOM! and many more.
TIMOTHY ALLEN MCDONALD
Tim is the Founder and Producer of Junior Theater Festivals worldwide, serving over 15,000 musical theatre makers annually, and the Founder and CEO of iTheatrics. Tim has adapted over 125 musicals for the education market, ranging from Xanadu JR. to Annie JR. An estimated 36 million people attend one of these productions annually, which is three times the number of people who attend a show on Broadway each year. Also a librettist, his writing credits include Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach (Pasek and Paul), Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, The Big One-Oh!, (which premiered Off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in the fall of 2019), Between The Lines and The Book Thief which will premier in the UK in 2022. Tim is the co-author of The iTheatrics Method: The Quintessential Guide to Creating Quality Musical Theatre Programs, the world’s first-ever educational musical theatre textbook (GIA Publications, Inc.), which is available everywhere books are sold.
JIANA J. ODLAND
Jiana is currently the Education Associate at iTheatrics. After school, she joined the international music theatre outreach organization The Young Americans and spent four years touring North America, Europe, and Asia as a performer, lighting designer, business manager, and musical theatre educator. For iTheatrics, she administrates, directs, and choreographs for the iTheatrics Academy and assists with management of the international iTheatrics Junior Theater Festivals and Junior Theater Celebrations. In 2018, Jiana choreographed a nationwide music video for Turnaround Arts, working with stars such as Misty Copeland, Jason Mraz, and Paula Abdul. Jiana is so grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing musical theatre with people around the world.
LAURA JO SCHUSTER
Laura Jo’s love for musical theater began in the sixth grade after being cast as an orphan in the school production of Annie. She eventually chose to pursue a career in theater and received a BS from the University of Evansville, then promptly moved to New York City. Laura Jo freelanced as a writer, editor, proofreader, and a transcriptionist before joining iTheatrics in 2012. As Associate Editor, Laura Jo helped publish more than 50 shows for young people. She is delighted to be back at JTF in a new role, helping make musical theatre magic!
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