Students Win Big at the Junior Theater Festival 2025!!

Local children’s theater, The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy traveled to Atlanta Jan 2025 to compete in the world’s biggest and best celebration of young people performing musical theater, known as the Junior Theater Festival. Eighteen students at T.B.P.A.A., ranging from ages 7 to 16, performed a 15-minute segment of the beloved Disney musical, The Lion King, Jr.  But wait! There’s a catch- they weren’t allowed to use any props of costumes. Over 120 theaters and schools from across the U.S., Canada, Australia, the UK, and Poland came together to compete in this quick-paced but fun festival. Directors Lisa Cane and Kimberly Kreiner-Snyder have been holding rehearsals once a week since August for the students involved, where they learn choreography, vocal prep- including how to chant in Swahili and Zulu- and honing in on how to become their character, whether it be a lion, a warthog or hyena.

 “Attending the Junior Theater Festival was such a thrilling opportunity for these kids. The camaraderie the cast has created is incredible. For months, they have worked to perfect their roles. It’s been such a joy watching them grow, and seeing the final product that they put together,” said Kreiner-Snyder. Festival performances were adjudicated by Broadway and industry professionals, and immediately following they provided feedback to the students. A giant awards ceremony, held Sunday evening, honored many of the groups participating, including Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy! They brought home a trophy for Excellence in Acting, and student director/choreographer, Gracie Cane, received a medal for her outstanding dedication and hard work to the team. Not only that, but she was 1 in only 12 of over 6,800 performers honored with an award for Outstanding Performance by an Individual for her emotional turn as Rafiki. “This experience was so incredible; I will always remember the joy and the excitement that the team and I shared when we heard our name be called! I am so proud of my team and how far we have come this year, I couldn’t ask for better cast members.  It was unforgettable and I can’t wait to do it again next year” 

In addition to performing, the children got to attend a variety of workshops and special events hosted at the event, including seeing the premiere of the brand-new Disney show, Dare to Dream. 

This is the first year since 2020 that TBPAA has attended the festival. In past years, Lisa Cane has been honored with the prestigious Freddie G award, and has had the opportunity to go to New York City and meet with Broadway professionals. “Over the years I have learned so much from the amazing staff at iTheatrics during JTF.  Each and every time I am left in awe by the amazing young performers as well as the passion and excitement in the room.  It was amazing to go back and kickoff 2025!”

Established in 2008, the mission of Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy is to inspire, enrich, and empower the next generation of creative minds in the Tampa Bay community,  believing that the arts have the power to unlock boundless imagination, foster self-expression, and cultivate essential life skills. TBPAA strives to make high-quality arts education accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstances. Visit www.tbpaa.net for more information on how to become involved.

PALM HARBOR — Lisa Nicole Cane, a performing arts teacher from Palm Harbor, got a chance this summer to do something she’s never done.

Cane was one of eight lucky educators chosen from across the United States to travel to New York City to work one-on-one with some of Broadway’s greats.

“It was incredible to learn directly from some of the best in Broadway how to better serve my students and community,” she said.

Cane, who co-founded the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy with her mother, Sandra Faulkner, 15 years ago, received a Freddie G Award and an all-expense-paid trip to attend the 10th annual Freddie G Fellowship in New York on July 10-13. The award was given during the Junior Theater Festival, the largest children’s theater festival in the world held annually in Atlanta. Cane attended the festival with her students for past 10 years.       click here to read  full article.

PALM HARBOR — The owners of Tampa Bay Performing Arts Academy and Student Gracie Cane pose with President of Disney Musicals Tom  Schumacher  at Junior Theater Festival.  Lisa Cane (left), a Freddie G Award recipient was invited to a special presentation by Schumacher about the power of Musical Theater.  Gracie Cane (front) was a member of TBPAA's Tech Team that clinched the #1 Spot at the International Junior Theater Festival's  Tech Olympics.   The three generations of TBPAA's staff brought back many tips and techniques from the presentation to share with their TBPAA family.