BRAVO! Wins Outstanding Production At National Theatre Festival

From the Oak Park Elementary School District 97:

January 24, 2020

BRAVO Performing Arts won Oustanding Production for the 11th consecutive year during the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual festival was January 17-19, 2020.

The Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School-based musical theatre program competed against other groups with a fifteen-minute performance of “Frozen Jr.” Groups are rated in key areas of music, acting, dance, and overall performance.

“The BRAVO bar is always very high, and our students are viewed as ambassadors of the festival, therefore we strive for excellence while leading with respect and professionalism,” said Tina Reynolds, Artistic Director at BRAVO!

BRAVO was also chosen to showcase “Moana Jr” at the festival. Reynolds said it was an honor to be selected and the program had to create a four-number showcase from scratch, all while honoring island and Polynesian culture.

The hard work paid off for the group, they received a standing ovation from the audience.

“Sixty-five hundred people were on their feet, screaming. Our GBMS kids really did an amazing job,” said Alma Klein, BRAVO Advisory Board Member.

This is the 12th time BRAVO has participated in the Junior Theatre Festival. In 2018, BRAVO and its director were celebrated as "the world’s best middle school musical theater program.”

For those interested in learning more about the BRAVO Performing Arts program, please visit their website.

This press release was produced by the Oak Park Elementary School District 97. The views expressed here are the author's own.