Take Part: MTI's Junior Theatre Festival

Every year RCT attends the Junior Theatre Festival - a celebration of all things musical theatre.

The MTI Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) is Europe’s largest celebration of musical theatre for young people, held each year at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Produced by Music Theatre International in partnership with iTheatrics from New York, the festival brings together over a thousand young performers from across Europe for a weekend of performance adjudications, workshops and unforgettable showcases from West End stars. The next festival takes place on Saturday 23rd May 2026.

Rubber Chicken Theatre will once again be part of this incredible event, with a two-night stay away from home that combines the full festival experience with a trip to Chester Zoo. Our JTF performance group is open to everyone – whether or not you’ve taken part in one of our previous Broadway Junior productions – making it a truly exciting opportunity to perform, learn and celebrate musical theatre alongside young people from across the continent.

Never been to JTF with us before? Watch now on YouTube

Junior Theatre Festival 2026

About the Festival

Our visit to MTI's Junior Theatre festival has become a well anticipated annual event in the RCT calendar.  JTF is a three day stay-away experience that sees us journey to the ICC in Birmingham.

Previously as a group we have returned with accolades for outstanding performance, awards in ensemble, and had individuals highlighted for achievements in both performance and student choreography.

In 2026 we will be taking our production of Dot and the Kangaroo Jr.  Registration is open to all those who will be under 19 in May 2026.  Anyone who has taken part in an RCT show before (or who is signed up for a show) is eligible to sign up for the trip, even if you did not perform in our original production of Dot and the Kangaroo.

 

Key Dates

Rehearsal Workshops: Sun 10th May 5pm - 8pmSun 17th May 5pm - 8pmWed 20th May 7pm - 9pm

Travel to Accomodation
Fri 22nd May (Departing 8.00am)

Junior Theatre Festival
Sat 23rd May📍The ICC, Birmingham

Chester Zoo and Return Travel
Sun 24th May (Return approx. 11.00pm)

The day at the JTF

Click the images to find out more

Adjudicaton

In the morning, we'll take part in performance adjudication. We'll perform a 15 minute extract of Doctor Dolittle Jr 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.   In previous years, a West End star has answered questions from students, and performed.

After this, we head out for three separate workshops led by industry professionals from across the globe. Each focussing on one of the core skills; acting, singing and dancing.  Dance Workshops are delivered directly by  West End show creatives, teaching actual choreography from those shows!

Awards Ceremony

During adjudications, 2 students from each group will be selected as AllStars.  Allstars will participate in exclusive workshops to rehearse and perform a featured number on stage at the Awards Ceremony.

To celebrate the accomplishments of the day, everyone gathers in the theatre at the end of the day.  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.

Rubber Chicken Theatre Junior Theatre Festival 3
Rubber Chicken Theatre Junior Theatre Festival 3

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.

Rubber Chicken Theatre Junior Theatre Festival 4
Rubber Chicken Theatre Junior Theatre Festival 4

New Works Showcase and Workshops

After lunch, we're into the main hall to watch snippets of up and coming Broadway Jr releases.   In previous years, a West End star has answered questions from students, and performed.

After this, we head out for three seperate workshops led by industry proffesionals from across the globe. Each focussing on one of the core skills; acting, signign and dancing.  Dance Workshops are delivered directly by  West End show creatives, teaching actual choreography from those shows!

Rubber Chicken Theatre Junior Theatre Festival 6
Rubber Chicken Theatre Junior Theatre Festival 6

Awards Ceremony

During adjudications, 2 students from each group will be selected as AllStars.  Allstars will participate in exclusive workshops to rehearse and perform a featured number on stage at the Awards Ceremony.

To celebrate the accomplishments of the day, everyone gathers in the theatre at the end of the day.  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.

Itinerary

Fri 22nd May

8.00am Depart for Accommodation (with lunch stop)

3.00pm Arrive at accommodation. Room allocations and unpacking

4.00pm Final Rehearsal

6.00pm Dinner

7.00pm Time at leisure

9.00pm Heading to rooms / bed.

Times are approximate and are subject to change.

Sat 23rd May
Sun 24th May

Booking in for the first time?

A two night stay away from home can be a big ask, particularly for younger ones.

We'll give your child all the support they need to take part confidently. We've put together some FAQ's and further info below to answer any questions you might have now, and we'll hold an information evening on Zoom closer to the trip itself.

Junior Theatre Fesitval

Fee to take part

The fee for taking part in MTI's Junior Theatre Festival is £390 - which includes:

Youth hostel accomodation with exclusive use on a full board basis for two nights.

Coach travel to and from Birmingham

Entry and participation to the Junior Theatre Festival

Entry to Chester Zoo

JTF t-shirt, wristband and commerative programme

How To Pay

There are three different ways to pay:

  • In full at registration - we accept all major credit / debit cards.
  • Over 3 or 6 monthly instalments - select the option at checkout (first payment is due at registration).
  • Pay nothing now, pay the balance by 31st March - use the code RCTDEFER24 at checkout.

Cancellations and Refunds:  If you need to cancel your child's place for any reason, it can be refunded in full up until 31st December 2025, after this it will only be possible to refund if we are able to replace your child on the trip. Please be aware that any deferred payments or payments made by instalments will become payable in full on cancellation. If you require any more information before then, please e-mail leigh@rubberchickentheatre.co.uk or message the WhatsApp group.

Row wavy Shape Decorative svg added to top
As always, if you have any questions, just shout!
_I0A3297
Hocus Pocus083
ChittyChittyBangBang_8
SparkelOnTheHill_RyanBuchanan_027
liam and audrey
PHOTO 8 BALLET GIRLS 2
Scroll to Top