Every year RCT attends the Junior Theatre Festival, a celebration of all things musical theatre!
Hosted by one of the world's biggest theatrical rights holders, Music Theatre International, the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) brings together young performers from across Europe to share their love for being on stage.
Similar to 2023, RCT's trip to JTF2025 will feature a three night stay away from home and include the festival itself and a trip to Chester Zoo.
The 2025 Junior Theatre Festival takes place on Sat 24th May at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. It will include over 1000 young performers from across Europe and feature performance adjudications, workshops and performances from West End stars.
The day at JTF:
- Adjudicaton
In the morning, we'll take part in performance adjudication. We'll perform a 15 minute extract of Aristocats KIDS in front of other groups in our 'pod' and in front of a panel of two or three industry professionals. The panel will score us on various elements of our performance and provide expert advice. The best group from each pod will get to perform on the main stage at the end of the day. Two members from the group are selected as All Stars to take part in a special performance. After a cool down / debrief, we'll return to the pod and watch others perform their adjudication pieces.
- New Works Showcase and Workshops
After lunch, we're into the main hall to watch snippets of up and coming Broadway Jr releases. After this, we head out for three workshops, covering singing, dancing and acting, all lead by West End / Broadway professionals.
- Awards Ceremony
The end of the day sees the Awards Ceremony where we'll watch some of the Outstanding Productions of the day, enjoy a mini concert from a current West End performer and if we're incredibly lucky maybe even pick up an award or two! The festival ends with the AllStars performance.
More Info
Before the trip:
In order to prepare for the adjudication performance, there will be two pre-trip rehearsals on:
- Sunday 12th May, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
- Wed 21st May, 6.45pm - 9.15pm
These will be held at Dunblane Christian Fellowship. Cast members should attend both rehearsals.
While on the trip:
Friday will include an extended final rehearsal at a nearby village hall, as well as spending the late afternoon / early evening at leisure.
Coach travel will be provided by Mackies Coaches who we have used in the past for the JTF trips.
We'll be spending three nights at YHA Ironbridge Coalport (where we stayed overnight in 2021) which we also have the sole use of. The youth hostel is situated on the banks of the river Severn, with canal paths and old railway line walking routes to the iconic Iron Bridge. The hostel itself features a couple of lounge areas; rooms are of varying occupancy size and some are ensuite. Those attending will have the option to express room sharing preferences. More information about the hostel can be found here.
We are staying on a full board basis at the hostel. More information about food options, dietary requirements etc. will be provided nearer the time. Food and drink is not provided for the coach journey from and to Dunblane, however rest stops at services are planned.
We found Chester Zoo a great place to visit in 2023 in 2024 and plan to return in 2025. More information about the zoo can be found here.
The group will be supervised by at least five of the RCT adults, most of whom will be familiar to those attending and all are experienced in leading groups away from home. Although much of what we do will be as one group, younger cast members will be allocated an adult on the occasions we do split up.
Anyone who has taken part in an RCT show is able to sign up for the trip (or anyone who is signed up for Dot & the Kangaroo Jr). All those attending must be under the age of 19 at the time of the trip.
There is no lower age limit, however the trip does however involve a multiple night stay away from home and is of fairly high intensity throughout. With this in mind, we'd ask parents to carefully consider if it is suitable for their child.
As part of the condition of registration with the Junior Theatre Festival, we need to provide consent for everyone in the group to have their photo / video taken and used for promotional purposes of the festival. We also feature the festival heavily on our social media channels. If you are concerned about photo / video use, please contact us before signing your child up.
Casting for adjudication will be based on who attends the trip and will not be auditioned. It may not be possible to cast someone in the same role for adjudication as they performed in the selected show.
Exams that are taking place on or around the festival.
Thu 22nd May - Morning
- Nat 5 Business
- Higher Politics
Thu 22nd May - Afternoon
- Higher / Advanced Higher Business
Fri 23rd May - Morning
- Nat 5 / Higher Dance
- Nat 5 Practical Metalwork
- Higher / Advanced Higher French
Fri 23rd May - Afternoon
- Nat 5 French
Mon 26th May - Morning
- Nat 5 Art & Design
How to Pay
There are four ways to pay for the trip:
- In full at time of registration - we accept all major credit/debit cards.
- Over 3 - 6 monthly instalments (first payment at time of registration)
- Pay nothing now, pay over three monthly instalments starting Jan 2025.
- Pay nothing now, pay the balance by 31st March 2025.
Full payment information can be found on the registration page.
