Jeter Backyard Theater students win national award during theater festival
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Students representing Jeter Backyard Theater in Gibsonia won a Freddie G Award for Excellence in Music and earned other recognition at the 2022 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta (JTF Atlanta).
The Jan. 14-16 event is dedicated to celebrating student-driven musical theater programs. It was held in Atlanta.
During the festival’s Direct From Broadway event, actor Luca Padovan (“Newsies,” “School of Rock”) recognized Jeter Backyard Theater’s students for continuing to serve its communities in extraordinary ways during the pandemic.
Jeter Backyard Theater students Lauren Karg and Evie Yin were distinguished as All-Stars, an outstanding group of young performers at the festival.
At the festival, each group performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior musical for adjudicators.
Jeter Backyard Theater presented “Disney’s Moana JR.” to Paul Brewster McGinley, director of Teaching & Learning at the Roundabout Theatre Company; performer, director and choreographer Carol Worcel (“Anything Goes,” Broadway national tour), and actor Michael Wordly (“The Color Purple,” U.S. tour).
Brewster McGinley said, “This presentation of ‘Disney’s Moana JR.’ showcased gorgeous harmonies, strong scene work and well developed characters. The joy and bonds amongst the group was palpable and expressed with a great sense of community.” Worcel added, “This group displayed a beautiful connection with each other during their performance. The building of trust was demonstrated in the overall connection between the students.”
Jeter Backyard Theater provides educational practice and performance opportunities for kids in pre-K through high school, as well as professional performance and leadership opportunities for JBT Alumni and Artists in Residence. JBT Kids learn performance skills and gain valuable stage production experience in up to eight full-scale musicals each year.