Thirty-eight students from Roy Waldron Elementary School are in Atlanta after an invitation to perform at the Junior Theater Festival.
This year marks the fifth appearance by the Roy Waldron theater program, and this year, they will perform a 15-minute portion of Cinderella KIDS for the competition piece, Musical Theater Director Joanne O'Kain said.
"We are also blessed to be a showcase group," she said. "Out of 115 groups, they have chosen three groups to perform a new show for almost 6,000 people."
Roy Waldron will also perform with University School of Nashville and Bradley Academy of Murfreesboro at the festival to present the newest version of Peter Pan, Jr., O'Kain said.
"Broadway actors and other theatrical people will be adjudicating them and giving them feedback," O'Kain said
The students have been practicing for many weeks to get ready for the festival. Fifth-grader Carley Perry performs as Cinderella, and she says this year's festival will be bittersweet.
"I'm kind of sad because this is my last year but I'm excited to see my friends and how they react to the festival," Perry said.
Fourth-grader Devon Greenwood is in his second year with the theater program at Roy Waldron. He's performing as Prince Charming and is thrilled with the opportunity to participate in such a large theater program for students.
"I'm excited. We're going to be able to see groups from all over the world," Greenwood said.
The Junior Theater Festival will be held in Atlanta Jan. 15-17. The Roy Waldron students are departing the school on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 14, and will return on Monday, Jan. 18. For more information about the Roy Waldron Musical Theater Program, contact the school at 615-904-3785 or contact O'Kain at okainj@rcschools.net.
