Fort Bend Christian Academy Upper School Shines at JTF Atlanta 2025
Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA) Upper School students recently participated in the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) Atlanta 2025, a prestigious event that featured 136 schools and theatre companies from 37 U.S. states and five countries, with a total of 6,800 attendees. FBCA was proudly represented by a troupe of 33 students, including members from Honors Production Theatre, ASL IV/V, Stagecraft/Technical Theatre, Eagles on the Air, and middle school musical theatre.
The event began Friday with a group rehearsal of FBCA’s adjudication cut of Once On This Island JR, followed by the festival kickoff. Students also attended a panel titled “Oh The Places You’ll Go,” where former JTF participants shared how their theatre backgrounds shaped their careers in medicine, entertainment production, and Broadway.
Saturday was a whirlwind of activity and accolades. FBCA’s adjudication performance of Once On This Island JR moved all three judges to tears, earning high praise for its dynamic storytelling. Students also attended an inspiring presentation led by Disney Theatrical Group President Thomas Schumacher and EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken, known for works like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast.
Select students participated in specialized workshops and auditions. Grace Baird, Joellie Cadiz, Chase Harris, and Trinity Simpson attended the iTheatrics Special Project auditions, while technical theatre students Zac Chen and Austin Norton honed their skills in workshops. Other performers participated in advanced acting and dance workshops, with Eagles on the Air student Bradley Hanna documenting the day’s highlights. The evening concluded with the New Works Showcase, featuring excerpts from new Broadway JR musicals.
Sunday’s events showcased FBCA’s exceptional talent. Austin Norton, selected as a Technical All-Star, trained alongside Broadway stage managers for the Freddie G Awards Ceremony. Meanwhile, Grace, Joellie, and Chase attended callbacks for the iTheatrics Special Project, competing for future NYC-based opportunities. Social Media Ambassadors Lauren Kinningham and Ashlyn Rivers attended a workshop to sharpen their content creation skills, while All-Star Cast members Joellie Cadiz and Trinity Simpson participated in a curated workshop and Q&A session.
The weekend concluded with the Freddie G Awards Ceremony, where FBCA students received some of the festival’s top honors, including Excellence in Pod and Outstanding Student Choreography. As a grand finale, students were treated to the world premiere of Disney’s Dare to Dream JR.
Awards and Accolades
FBCA’s Once On This Island JR earned Excellence in Pod, recognizing the group’s outstanding scores in dance, music, acting, and storytelling. Individual achievements included:
- Gabby Anthony, awarded All-Festival Individual Performer, one of only three students to receive this distinction.
- Outstanding Student Choreography was awarded to Gabby Anthony, Joellie Cadiz, Naomi Jones, and Trinity Simpson.
- Austin Norton was named a Technical Theatre All-Star and worked alongside Broadway professionals during a mainstage event.
- Joellie Cadiz and Trinity Simpson earned All-Star Cast honors for their roles as Storyteller 2 and Mama Euralie, respectively.
A Word of Gratitude
Theatre Director Sarah Patterson expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the trip possible:
“Thank you to the parents who came alongside us to shuffle students and schlep bags to and from events. Thank you to parents and friends who cheered us on from home. Thank you to the administrators and staff who support this JTF experience and the long journey it took to our accomplishments. Special thanks to Elyse DeBuck for directing our ASL integration and collaborating to produce such a beautiful piece of theatre. Gratitude also goes to Lana Thompson and Robert Sanders, who supported this production every step of the way and cheered our kids to victory.”
FBCA’s success at JTF Atlanta 2025 highlights the school’s commitment to excellence in the performing arts and the transformative power of collaboration, creativity, and dedication.