Junior Theater Festival | Treehouse Theater

Junior Theater Festival (JTF)

2025 TEAM

Shrek Jr

2026 JTF PERFORMING TEAM

DIRECTING TEAM

Lisa Heili & Deanne Stokes, Co-Directors

Shannon Meulbroek, Music Director

Madde Gilmore & Katie Jo Shimulunas, Co-Choreographers

Auditions will be open to experienced actors, ages 10-18, who have previously appeared onstage in at least one (and preferably several) MAIN stage Treehouse Theater musicals. Tech students are also welcome to attend as there is a festival track just for them!

REHEARSALS

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

STUDENT TEAM MEMBERS

TBD

TRIP EXPENSE

Cost includes all instruction with local mock adjudication, complete trip planning, festival fees, round-trip ground transportation and airfare, four nights lodging at host hotel, script, and T-shirts

STUDENTS: $1,300* ( includes $100 cash back upon departure for food/beverages)

ADULTS: $1,200*

* Final / third payment will be adjusted once all trip costs are confirmed

For ALL attendees:

Payment 1 of $350 is due by Sept. 1
Payment 2 of $350 is due by Oct. 1

Checks accepted at the studio or dropped in the outdoor mailbox

WHAT IS THE JUNIOR THEATER FESTIVAL -- "JTF"?

Team-focused experience for 20-30 student performers, ages 10-18, to prepare for and attend this national festival in Atlanta, GA, each January. Primary goals are personal growth and enrichment for each student while developing a 15-minute, team-focused "mini musical" showcase for a competitive national environment with adjudication by performing arts professionals. VIDEO LINK

Annual convention of 6,500+ people from across the USA, gathered to celebrate music theater
Long weekend filled with energy, fun, judging, performances & workshops
Opportunity to see what other theater companies are performing and how you compare
Chance to bond with actors from THT and an opportunity to meet other kids who love theater

WHO CAN ATTEND JTF?

Boys and girls, ages 10-18, who must audition
Production Team members
Adult Chaperones ** mandatory for team members ages 10-12
Adult Guests

WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THIS TRIP?

All local instruction and round-trip travel arrangements
Team t-shirt to be worn during "mini-musical" performance in Atlanta
Round-trip bus and airfare to/from Manitowoc and Atlanta
Four nights lodging
Student meal allowance of $100
Festival participation fee (t-shirt, educational workshops, special guest speakers, yearbook)

WHY ARE REHEARSALS NEEDED?
Each attending group performs their 15-minute "mini-musical" of selected scenes and songs that highlight an MTI "Jr." production for nationally recognized judges. They score each group's performance and provide immediate feedback to the actors and production crew. Highest scoring groups and individuals are recognized at the Awards Ceremony.

Treehouse Theater will strive to bring another polished, professional-looking "mini-musical" piece to perform at JTF 2025. In order for this to occur, ALL members of the Performing Team must be committed to properly preparing for and attend all rehearsals, when called.