For the 12th consecutive year, BRAVO Performing Arts took home the Freddie G. Outstanding Production award at the Junior Theater Festival, which took place January 17-19 in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual festival, held online and in-person this year, celebrates and empowers student-driven musical theater programs from all over the world.
Each festival group performed 15 minutes of a Broadway Junior musical for the judges. Under the artistic direction of Tina Reynolds, the Brooks Middle School-based musical theater students wowed judges with their 15-minute performance from Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical JR.”
“These students were able to execute complex choreography, making it look effortless,” Junior Theater Festival’s music director and judge, Derek Bowley, said. “It wasn't just the full-throated, full-throttle musical numbers that were engaging, the performers were equally skilled at delivering a touching scene between two characters.”
As Outstanding Production winners, BRAVO students had the opportunity to perform again for all festival participants at the closing ceremonies. In addition to group honors, Brooks students Delaney Cherikos, Megan Dauphinée, Avaa Ruffer, Delaney Cherikos and Ada Klein received individual recognition during the festival, with Cherikos and Klein being distinguished as festival All-Stars.
“BRAVO is teaching students the skills needed to become triple threat musical theater performers,” Bowely said.
In a typical year, BRAVO serves up to 500 students, produces eight theater productions and provides a range of afterschool clubs at no cost to families, including Dance Studio, Improv Troupe and Film Club. BRAVO is now in its 25th year and is Brooks’ largest extracurricular program. If you are interested in learning more about the BRAVO Performing Arts program, please visit their website.