JPAS Theatre Kids! Garner Top Honors at The 2011 iTheatrics Jr Theatre Fest

Recently, the JPAS Theatre Kids! garnered top honors at the 2011 iTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, GA January 14-16, 2011. Under the direction of Lynne L. Bordelon and Tammy Mansfield with Justine Anderson, the JPAS Theatre Kids Competition Team won first place "Outstanding Performance" in their division for their performance of selections from SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL, JR. The JPAS Theatre Kids competed among 2200 young performers from 54 theatre groups throughout the nation. Each member of the JPAS Theatre Kids! Competition Team of 20 young actors ages 10-12 years old was also invited to the Musical Theatre International (MTI) Choreography DVD audition where they had a chance to wow the judges for an opportunity to perform in a nationally distributed MTI Choreography Instructional DVD. In addition, JPAS Theatre Kids! AaRon Richert and Madison Smither were named "All-Stars" for outstanding individual performances at the festival!. Finally, Director Lynne L. Bordelon was awarded the Freddie G. Teaching Experience for her work with the JPAS Theatre Kids! Competition Team. Bordelon will have the opportunity to study in New York City with musical theatre industry leaders this upcoming July 2011! Jefferson Performing Arts Society wishes to congratulate these amazing young performers and their families!

The 2011 JPAS Theatre Kids! Competition Team is: Bailey Bourgeois, Serguis Centanni, Jordan Cruse, Rebecca D'Antonio, Elizabeth Donner, Michelle Giacontiere, Coldin Grundmeyer, Lauren Hatfield, Julia Lemann, Meghan Lovelace, Jorden Majeau, Ross Quinn, AaRon Richert, Camille Rozas, Ellie Rozas, Madison Smither, Riley Tafaro, Gabriella Trentacoste, Brandon Wilkie, Olivia Worley.

The JPAS Theatre Kids! Competition Team is an intensive program that focuses on performance in a musical and teamwork. It prepares young actors to compete as a team at the annual iTheatrics Junior Theatre Festival. Members of the team study and prepare an abridged version of an MTI Jr. Musical and compete against other youth theatre groups from all over the nation. This was the first year JPAS Theatre Kids! Competed in the festival and JPAS is looking forward to participating again annually! JPAS will hold auditions for it's new Theatre Kids! 2012 Competition Team in Spring of 2011. *Please note, there are fees associated with this program including some travel expenses associated with the festival competition.
More About JPAS Theatre Kids!

JPAS Theatre Kids! proudly presents theatre and musicals for kids, performed by all-kid casts! Theatre Kids! welcomes kids ages 7-12 who want to learn more about the theatre and dramatic arts. Productions chosen for this program are based on educational experiences for the kids and of course, fun!

2010-2011 JPAS Theatre Kids Productions at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre
How To Eat Like A Child November 12-21, 2010
Disney's Aristocats Kids April 1-10, 2011

The JPAS THEATRE KIDS! program began in Fall 2008. This program gives kids year-round opportunities to participate in theatre, experience the process of putting on a show as well as learning basic acting techniques and skills. There is no enrollment fee to participate and auditions for Theatre Kid! productions are held two months prior to performances. JPAS believes kids' enthusiasm and energy really invigorate the arts. Theatre Kids! activities give young people a chance to have fun with theatre, thus nurturing a life-long love of the arts.

More About the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS)
Founded in 1978 by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah Cunningham, Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit professional arts organization whose mission is to promote arts performance, training and outreach by providing a diverse range of quality programs that entertain, educate and enrich the cultural and economic vitality of Jefferson Parish, Greater New Orleans and the Gulf South.

JPAS focuses on three main elements:
PERFORMANCE JPAS annually provides a wide range of theatrical performances that appeal to many interests and age groups. Most seasons include a selection of grand opera, musical theater, dance and music. JPAS strives to network and partner with national and International Artists and companies to bring new and diverse programming to the Southern Region.

TRAINING JPAS provides performance and technical based training in the arts for all ages with a particular focus on young people.

OUTREACH JPAS provides arts education programming in local area schools, as well as access to professional theatrical experiences that align to classroom curricula and Louisiana Content Standards, including Arts Adventure Series, Cultural Crossroads and Stage Without A Theatre. JPAS provides performers, musicians, artistic experiences and expertise to select area events and organizations to enrich the community.