We were thrilled to be invited to perform in the New Works showcase this year! We hope you will enjoy watching our ten-minute performance of How to Train Your Dragon: The Musical, Jr.
Smoke Rise Academy of Arts performs in the prestigious New Works Showcase.
Our very own Smoke Rise Academy of Arts recently returned from the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, with news that is nothing short of phenomenal! Our troupe of 53 students joined a massive gathering of 7,176 attendees and 141 theater groups from across the U.S. and seven other countries for a weekend of performance and growth.
The highlight of the weekend for our group occurred when Smoke Rise was one of only five groups selected to perform in the prestigious New Works Showcase. Under the direction of Greyson Chadwick, the students presented How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR. to a packed audience. The production was a standout, featuring high-energy action with impressive, well-choreographed fight scenes and dramatic sword fighting. The artistry was equally stunning, with beautifully crafted costumes by designers Shantelle Grace and Melissa Cruz that brought the world of Berk to life.
In addition to the showcase, the students worked incredibly hard to complete a shortened performance of Shrek JR. for festival adjudicators. The judges were full of praise for the cast, noting the high energy, “fun” atmosphere, and the students’ remarkable ability to bring these beloved characters to life with professional flair.
This achievement is a wonderful testament to the Academy’s commitment to training young artists. We are so proud of these students for their dedication and for representing our community with such excellence and joy on a national stage. We look forward to seeing what these talented students do next!