Our Professional Development Pathway is a Junior Theatre Festival hidden gems beyond the stage where practitioners, teachers, directors, and all the drama enthusiasts gather to swap stories, spark connections, and dive into workshops led by national and international teacher practitioners and industry leaders.
The goal? Sharpen your skills, gear up to rock the stage in your community, and oh, have a blast doing it! During the festival, Professional Development participants can soak up knowledge from a variety of workshops, tune into adjudications, peek into future show possibilities, and mingle with fellow creative minds from lands near and far.
From rookies to seasoned pros hungry for fresh ideas, these workshops are a one-size-fits-all extravaganza, serving up inspiration and tools to keep those theatre programs shining bright for years to come. Let the drama unfold!
If you are interested in bringing a group to the event in the future, then the PD Pathway is a great way to experience it first without students.
2025 Professional Development Programme
PROGRAMME COMING SOON!
EVENT DATE: Friday 24th & Saturday 25th October
PRELIMINARY FRIDAY SCHEDULE: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
PRELIMINARY SATURDAY SCHEDULE: 8:30am – 8:30pm
VENUE: Victory Centre, Freemans Bay, Auckland
COST: $99 (incl. GST) if attending with group
$119 (incl. GST) if attending as an individual
WIN ONE OF TWO PILOT OBSERVERSHIPS
Each year in the week leading up to JTFNZ, our highly skilled creative team, comprised of internationally renowned practitioners, pilot and test two brand new Broadway JR. musical adaptations. Observerships allow teachers and directors to sit in on our Pilot sessions and watch how a new Broadway JR title is workshopped and rehearsed with best practice principles and methodologies that can be taken back into your school or academy.
In 2025 we are thrilled to be partnering with Music Theatre International – Australasia to offer two FREE Observerships.
The Observerships include:
- access to the pilot room where it happens
- a Professional Development Pass for the 2025 Junior Theatre Festival New Zealand which includes access to workshops, panels, all mainstage events and a tshirt
- $500 towards travel if the recipent is out of Auckland
*the observership does not include meals or accommodation.
PILOT DATES: Monday 20th & Friday 24th October
DAILY SCEHDULE: 9:00am – 5:00pm (approx)
LOCATION: The Victory Centre, Auckland
To be considered for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you need to have been actively involved in your school, musical society or studio for at least two years and be over 21 years of age.
You need to send us:
- a covering letter including why you wish to attend and how you would benefit;
- two supporting letters highlighting your current practice
1) a colleague or fellow educator
2) a current or recent student
Applications to be sent to emma@juniortheatrefestival.nz
Applications close 1st September 2025