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JUNIE B. JONES, JR…THE MUSICAL
Based on Barbara Park’s best-selling books, “JUNIE B. JONES JR. THE MUSICAL” is a laugh-out-loud adventure that kicks off with Junie B. starting first grade! From losing her best friend to making new ones (hello, Herb!) to the mystery of Mr. Scary’s chalkboard and the horror of needing glasses (gasp!), Junie B. navigates it all with her signature sass and charm. Add a cafeteria lady with a heart of gold, a high-stakes kickball tournament, and her Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal, and you’ve got a first-grade story that’s larger-than-life! Packed with lovable characters, hilarious moments, and songs that’ll have you humming all day long, JUNIE B. JONES JR. isn’t just a musical—it’s an adventure you’ll never forget.
Wild Horse Children’s Theater Triumphs with Award-Winning Performance at Junior Theater Festival West 2025
The spotlight shone brightly on Wild Horse Children’s Theater (WHCT) as their Junior Theater Festival Performance Troupe clinched top honors at the prestigious Junior Theater Festival (JTF) West in Sacramento. This renowned event celebrates outstanding student-driven musical theater programs from across the globe, bringing together young performers, educators, and Broadway professionals.
In a dazzling display of talent, 27 WHCT students from the Carson City, Reno, and Douglas County areas traveled to Sacramento in February 2025 to showcase their skills. Their captivating 15-minute performance, featuring excerpts from the MTI Broadway Junior musical, Willy Wonka Jr., earned them multiple accolades, including the Freddie G. Award for Excellence in Acting. JTF Festival All-Stars Lily McCaskill and Stellan Hamner-Jillson participated in a special All-Star workshop and performed at the premiere of Disney’s new musical revue, Dare to Dream. Special Project Video auditioners for a or a yet-to-be-announced special project in NYC. included Madeline Lyons, Brielle Taylor, and Lilly Trotter.
WHCT’s performance was adjudicated by esteemed theater professionals, including Robert Hindsman, Adult Programs Manager at Alliance Theatre, and Steven Agdeppa, an award-winning theater educator and performer known for American Idiot and Newsies. Hindsman praised the troupe, stating, “These actors are incredibly bold and skilled at characterization. I wanted to jump to my feet multiple times to celebrate how grounded and honest their interpretations were. Wild Horse Children's Theater is building fearless young actors ready to tackle the American theater canon.” Agdeppa added, “Their ability to portray a variety of characters was superb. You can feel the strong sense of community and joy they share on stage.”
WHCT Director Carol Scott, who was honored as a Freddie G Fellowship Award recipient in 2023, attended a special gathering celebrating 15 years of the Freddie G Fellowship and the induction of its 100th Fellow. Scott also helped facilitate the Teacher Connect Workshop, providing professional development for educators attending JTF West.
A highlight of the festival was a special celebration of Disney and Broadway Junior’s 20-year partnership. WHCT students had the exclusive opportunity to attend the world premiere of Dare to Dream, a brand-new Junior musical revue featuring music from nearly 100 years of Disney films, including songs making their Disney stage debut.
Beyond performances, students engaged in specialized workshops in music, dance, acting, and technical theater, guided by top Broadway professionals. These included John Clay III from New York, New York, Rob Rokicki from The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Daniel Mertzlufft from Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, and Deborah Wicks La Puma from She Persisted: The Musical. The festival also welcomed cast and creative team members from the upcoming Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical, including Trae Adair, McKenna Michael Bisaha, and Max Antonio Gonzalez.
JTF West 2025 brought together 54 theater groups from 16 states and five countries, including Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and China. The festival continues to unite Broadway and West End professionals with educators and students, fostering a deep appreciation for musical theater and its role in education.
WHCT, a nonprofit organization, remains dedicated to providing young people with opportunities to learn, grow, and develop lifelong skills through performing arts. Their success at JTF West underscores their commitment to excellence in youth theater.