Local Students Achieve Top Honors at National Performing Arts Festival

The Off Broadway Kids Musical Theatre Troupe won top honors at the National Performing Arts Festival in Orlando, Florida this past weekend. The troupe won Superior Rating and won the Showcase Award for their production of "Once on This Island Jr." for the overall competition.

Individual Achievement Awards were given to Laura Sidwell for the role of Mama, Mikelle Brown as Ensemble, Paige Underwood as Papa Ge, Aline Oneill as Erzulie Goddess of Love, Maggie Oneill Asaka Mother of the Earth and Maggie Hill as Agwe God of Water.

The National Performing Arts Festival allows students to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Walt Disney World® Resort or on a Bahamas Cruise. All festivals include a 20-minute performance on stage, a private feedback clinic taught by a theater professional, workshops, and an awards ceremony. The National Performing Arts Festival provides your students the opportunity to meet and compete with theatre lovers from across America while growing as performers.

Directed by Christian Mayer, "The OBD Kids" is an award-winning musical theatre competition troupe designed for serious "triple threat" performers who live and breathe the theatre. Each year a small cast of performers, ranging in age from 8 - 18, are chosen to be members of the Troupe. After a lengthy audition process, the OBD Kids rehearse their show an average of 6 hours a week over a 9 month period, in addition to polishing their acting, dance and vocal skills via weekly lessons. Most troupe members put in an average of 10 - 12 hours in training each week, but their hard work pays off in terms of a wonderful camaraderie among cast members, an exciting full production in our blackbox theatre, performances at local festivals and charity events, and the thrill of competing with other theatre and drama teams across the United States.

Off Broadway Dance Theatre has been a local leader in children's theatre and related dance instruction for fourteen years. Seeing the need to specialize in training students to embark on acting careers for children's theatre and high school theatre to share their passion and just be kids, Off Broadway has found its niche and distinguishes itself from other area studios. We believe every child can benefit from the life skills learned when participating in children's theatre. Keeping with the mission of educating their students to be the most prepared performers they can be, Off Broadway offers monthly master classes from industry professionals in addition to their weekly dance and theatre classes for 3-18 year olds.

Call today for information about classes or upcoming auditions at 770-664-2410 or check us out online at www.offbroadwaydance.com.