JTF from a NEW VIEW!

Welcome to the Exciting World of Musical Theatre!

Since 2017, MCCA’s pre-professional musical theatre company has been part of something truly magical—the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF), the largest and most exhilarating celebration of young talent performing musical theatre around the globe! This year, we’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new role that adds even more excitement to our journey: the Student Director!

Join us as we dive into the vibrant experience of JTF through the eyes of our passionate Student Director, Gillian Myers. You won’t want to miss this inside look at what makes JTF a highlight of our year!

1. Gillian, as a student director, what has been your primary focus in preparing the cast for the Junior Theater Festival?

As a student director, my primary focus in preparing the cast for the Junior Theater Festival has been reliving and revising content we put together back in June. For example, I am currently reworking our Unbirthday song number, the one I directed in our summer show, as we transform that number into a whole new wonder for our JTF set.

2. What challenges have you faced during the rehearsal process, and how have you worked to overcome them?

Challenges I have faced in my time include reimagining our old pieces without the use of props or costumes. "Alice" is a very theatrical production, so it has been a challenge to reinvent our use of storytelling only using our bodies. I have overcome these by doing research on past JTF sets, "Alice" musical performances, and more to discover new techniques in our physicality.

3. How do you keep the cast motivated and engaged throughout the preparation for the festival?

To keep the cast motivated and engaged throughout the preparation for the festival, our team makes sure to introduce fun theatre games during breaks, which not only stimulate our minds but also tie into what we are learning, allowing us to process these ideas in a way that is digestible and fun. 

4. Can you share a memorable moment from rehearsals that highlights the spirit of teamwork among the cast?

A memorable moment from rehearsals that highlights the spirit of teamwork among the cast was in our Miscast fundraiser performance. This was a collaborative effort between me as the Student Director and my peers who worked hard as our creative team. As we worked on our group opening number, we all bounced ideas off one another to create our show. This experience was wonderful because it highlighted the collaborative nature of not only our JTF team but MCCA as a whole.

5. What do you think sets this year’s performance apart from previous festivals?

One thing that sets this year’s performance apart from previous festivals is the authenticity within the story. The story of Alice in Wonderland is representative of our journeys as individuals and as a company. This show has more heart than perhaps any I have seen before, and we each tell truths that are important and relevant to our current world. 

6. How have you seen the cast grow as performers leading up to the festival?

I have seen my cast grow as performers leading up to the festival in the way that they have become adaptable to many scenarios. One central theme in JTF preparation season is trial and error as we work through our final numbers. I have seen exponential growth in my cast as they learn to roll with anything we give them and do it all with a smile on their faces.

7. What advice would you give to other student directors preparing for similar theater festivals?

The advice I would give to other student directors preparing for similar theater festivals is that your future self will thank your current self for the work you’re putting in. By simply showing up every day and giving the best you’ve got, you are propelling yourself and your entire team forward into a brighter tomorrow. When in doubt, just be yourself. Students want a leader who is authentically passionate about their position, so try your best to be truthful, clear, and kind in your approach to directing.

8. For the cast members, what has been your favorite part of the rehearsal process so far?

My favorite part of the rehearsal process so far has been the special bond we have formed in rehearsals. There is so much joy to be found in every moment of our rehearsal process, but perhaps even more when the cast feels connected and bonded at all times. This cast is one of the sweetest I’ve ever been in, and we have formed a real family along the way.

9. How do you feel participating in the Junior Theater Festival will impact your growth as a performer?

The JTF experience promotes learning both in and outside of theatre, creating well-rounded artists whose wonder transcends the performance arts world. The weekend-long festival gives us events, viewings, and interactive workshops which shape us as performers in a way nothing else quite does.

10. What are you most excited about for the festival, both as a student director and as a cast member?

For the festival, I am most excited as a student director to see the magic come alive and to celebrate all that my cast has accomplished over the past year. As a performer, I am excited to apply what I’ve learned about acting from directing and show the world what we’re made of!