Ovation Academy For The Performing Arts Shines at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta and Sacramento

For immediate release: 
Oak Park, IL –  Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts in Oak Park, IL took to the stage for its eighth year of attending the world's largest and finest celebration of young performers, the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) at both JTF Atlanta and JTF West in Sacramento.

To kick off its amazing run, Ovation Academy’s JTF Company Members made history at the 2025 Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, bringing home three top honors, including Best in Festival and Best in Pod—a record-setting achievement for the performing arts academy. 

JTF is the world’s biggest and best celebration of young performers, bringing together student groups from all over the country to revel in the transformative power of musical theater. Competing against 138 groups from around the world, Ovation’s talented Company Members performed a 15-minute adjudication piece from SOMETHING ROTTEN JR., and earned the honor of performing “Something Rotten!/Make an Omelette” on the festival's main stage in front of 7,000 attendees.
 
The panel of judges deemed Ovation’s performance “Some of the best work [I] have ever seen at JTF,” and “An exquisite presentation that showcased the ensemble's incredible skill in all areas of musical theatre.” Ovation was dubbed “A program full of future talent,” with one judge saying, “These students are Broadway ready!”

The performance earned Ovation Academy several awards including:

• Best in Festival for SOMETHING ROTTEN, JR.
• Best in Pod for their exceptional performance of SOMETHING ROTTEN, JR in the Red pod
• Best All Festival Performer — Nolan Maddox, the top individual honor of the festival
• Junior Theater Festival All-Stars — Emme Whitebone and Nene Nwafo
• Callback for Special Project — Hannah Mellios and Cecilia Wesley

This talented Atlanta team included: Vivian Arvetis, Juliet Castaneda, Eleanor Child, Caleb Condes, Fiona Cultra, Noelle Daly, Will Daly, Tessa Dominowski, Luci Gaetto, Daliah Haro, Maya Keane, Nolan Maddox, Natalie Madeja, Addison Mason, Maeve Moses, Julia Navarro, Nene Nwafo, Kirin Pauline, Emilia Saam, Ella Stanis, Auggie Reyes, Anna Reinfurth Hendricks, Penny Walski, Madeline Warden, Scarlette Weber, Cecelia Wesley, Hannah Mellios, Justin Wilson, Emme Whitebone, Cecilia Widd, Clare Wols, Lily Wols, Rosie Zapata, and Samantha Zobel,  

After the tremendous success of JTF Atlanta, Ovation Academy For The Performing Arts turned its attention to JTF West. Taking place in Sacramento, CA on February 6-10, Ovation’s JTF West Company Members performed selections from JUNIE B’S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL, JR. for adjudication. 

The team was also honored to be selected to perform the world premiere of a brand new piece, SHE PERSISTED, JR. adapted from a series of YA books written by Chelsea Clinton to celebrate the accomplishments of various women throughout history. Featuring costumes by Mary Baca and Kristen Triandafilou, and props by Dacota Schwarte, the showcase of SHE PERSISTED, JR. celebrated historical women including Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, Florence Griffith Joyner and Sally Ride. 

Ovation Academy took JTF West by storm, bringing home awards for:

• Outstanding Showcase — for presenting excerpts of the world premiere of SHE PERSISTED, JR.
• Best In Acting — for JUNIE B’S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL, JR.
• Best Individual Festival Performer — Sophia McGowan for portraying Junie B.
• Junior Theater Festival All-Stars — Micah Puckett-Reeder and Henry Gershenson-Gates
• Callback for Special Project — Winifred Kunkle, Nina Madeja, Mali Achieng, Leah Triandifilou and Rosie Zapata
• Tech Olympics first runner up and Honorable Mention — Lila Mayeda, Vivian Glenn, Amaia Lopez-Avila, and Madeline Griffin 

Ovation’s JTF West team included: Mali Achieng, Riley Alger-Hardt, Vivienne Amin, Alma Beane, Alegra Becerra, Joseph Buckley, Bianca Esbrook, Magnolia Flynn, Henry Gershenson-Gates, Vivian Glenn, Lauren Gonzalez Pulido, Colleen Griffin, Madeline Griffin, Cora Healy, Lucy Hufford, Emeri Ingram, Winifred Kunkle, Amaia Lopez-Avila, Nina Madeja, Olivia Maldonado, Lila Mayeda, Margaret McElligott, Sofia McGowan, Morgan Medina, Addisyn Millar, Felipe Montiel, Lydia Newsome, Mae O'Connell, Madeline Paskar, Micah Puckett-Reeder, Emi Kate Scheffers, Ellie Surber, Mabel Tepfer, Gabriel Thomann, Leah Triandafilou, Chloe Troost Geiman, Evelyn Walski, and Nellie Zapata.

All high school performers that performed in Atlanta were coached and directed by Ovation’s Artistic Director and CEO, Tina Reynolds, and choreographed by Rachel Caron with assistance from Rachel Czuba. "Something Rotten was nothing short of extraordinary! The Ovation Atlanta team captivated JTF with their passion, commitment, and unmatched talent. From Rachel Caron's brilliant choreography to the powerhouse vocals and exceptional acting, this production was a true standout—one of my most memorable JTF experiences in over 15 years", shared Tina Reynolds

All young performers that traveled to Sacramento were also coached and directed by Reynolds alongside Keely Umstot and choreography by Rachel Czuba and Margot Frank with assistance from Chloe Janoscek. Ovation is incredibly grateful to the dedicated parents, friends, and fans for their support and enthusiasm! "Directing Ovation’s talented 8-13-year-olds in She Persisted for 3,000 people was an incredible honor. Their passion and commitment brought the stories of trailblazing women to life, instilling hope, strength, and resilience.  I know it left an indelible mark on everyone who experienced it and hope it continues to inspire all who see it.  My heart is full of pride for the magic and excellence we are inspiring at Ovation!”

Ovation Academy is based in Madison Street Theater at 1010 Madison Street in Oak Park, IL, and was founded in 2014 to provide excellence in performing arts training and education for the community. Through group classes for children and teenagers, private lessons in voice, dance, and acting, and high-quality full stage productions throughout the year, Ovation seeks to build, engage, inspire, and educate students through the power of music, theater, and dance.

Visit www.ovationacademy.org for exciting information about Ovation’s productions, classes, private lessons, audition coaching, summer camps and the Encore program for teens.