Lexington area theater students earn awards at competition

During its competition, InnOVATION Arts Academy students presented selections from Roald Dahl’s Matilda JR. for the judges.

“This creative cast worked as a marvelous team! Their versatility in telling such a challenging story was excellent!” said judge Cindy Ripley, a senior educational consultant, with iTheatrics.

“The ensemble mastered listening and responding throughout. Very nice work!” added judge Richard Frazier, the artistic director of Theatre Macon.

InnOVATION Arts Academy students Ally Van Haaren and Afton Skeeters were distinguished as Junior Theater Festival All-Stars, honoring particularly dynamic student performers.

This year marked the first JTF Texas.

The event brought together 2,228 musical theater enthusiasts to participate in the event; 50 of these groups were in person, and an additional seven groups participated online.

Michael James Scott (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway) performed the festival’s headlining concert.

Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton, Broadway); Katy Geraghty (Groundhog Day!, Broadway); Broadway actor Krystina Alabado (Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, American Idiot, Spring Awakening); and Douglas Lyons (Jonathan Larson Grant finalist, composer of Five Points; actor in The Book of Mormon, Broadway) were some of the celebrities who took part in mainstage events and were on hand to cheer on the young performers.

Students and teachers also enjoyed a presentation of The Big One-Oh! JR., performed by students from Inspiration Stage in Sugar Land, TX, and took part in workshops.

InnOVATION Arts Academy is a performing arts training program for children in Central Kentucky.