JUNIOR THEATER CELEBRATION 2026
Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte offers an enthusiastic, educational field trip experience for area students and teachers to interact with hundreds who share a similar passion for musical theatre in schools. The program was created and directed by iTheatrics, a premiere creative consultant in education-focused musical theater based in New York City, in association with the leading theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) and Blumenthal Arts’ Education Department.
During the culminating spring celebration, each school group performs a short selection from their student-adapted musical production before a panel of guest artists who provide constructive feedback and suggestions to help the students expand on theater skills such as diction, projection, acting through song, blocking and physicality, or finding a connection to the piece.
Additionally, students participate in immersive workshops while teachers can opt into professional development training alongside iTheatrics teaching artists. Most importantly, Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte is the culminating event that brings together enthusiasts from different backgrounds and skill levels – from area students, teachers, and volunteers to experienced Broadway professionals – under one roof to spotlight and amplify the work that’s been accomplished inside the classroom across many months. Thanks to generous support, this program has remained free to participating school groups.
More than 2,000 students and teachers will come together between March 24-26 at Blumenthal’s Belk Theater in Uptown Charlotte to share their creativity and celebrate their peers. Any contribution helps to provide this fundamental access to the performing arts in both schools and in a Broadway touring venue.
Information Session
Elementary and Middle school teachers are invited to join an information session Wednesday, October 1, 2025 5:30-7:00 pm, at the Booth Playhouse uptown, to learn about this year's Junior Theater Celebration. This session will walk through the full program details, including any year over year program adjustments and updates, before general registration opens on October 3, 2025.
Attendees will recieve a private early registration link prior to general registation. Junior Theater Celebration Charlotte registration is free and slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
RSVP for the information session here.
What is included in the festival?
- A high-energy field trip in a supportive, student-centered environment that brings together students, educators, and industry professionals in a celebration of musical theater.
- An opportunity for students to perform on a Broadway touring stage.
- Feedback for the New York based iTheatrics team, comprised of Broadway industry professionals.
- Student workshops with industry professionals.
- Teacher workshops with industry professionals.
- Participation ribbons for every student, student awards, and school participation certificates.
- The opportunity to apply for showkit reimbursement funding.
Important Dates
- Wednesday, October 1, 2025 5:30-7:00 pm Information Session
- Thursday, October 2, 2025 Priority Registration
- Friday, October 2, 2025 General Registration
- March 24-26, 2026 8:30am-4:30pm Junior Theater Festival Charlotte at the Belk Theater uptown*
*Registered schools will be assigned to one day of the three day festival.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Registration is open to Elementary and Middle Schools.
- Registration is first-come, first-served with a capacity of 48 schools; 16 schools per festival day.
- Participating schools will present a student performance of a 5-minute selection for a musical; large ensemble numbers preferred.
- Schools must provide the instrumental track for their performance selection.
- A 5-minute song mash-up from a show is permitted; schools are responsible for curating and providing the final instrumental track before the festival.
- Schools must have valid show licensing for the musical presented.
- Only student-adapted versions of musicals qualify for participation (Jr., Kids, Young at Part, G2K, etc…).
- Registered schools will receive notice with their assigned participation day. Blumenthal Arts can not accommodate date change requests once confirmed.
- Schools must arrange transportation and be available for the duration of the festival day from 8:30am-4:30pm.
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