Being a SHINE Company member means more than just being part of a show, it means becoming part of a group of dedicated performers who train, grow, and shine together. It’s real stage experience, real feedback from industry professionals, and real friendships built along the way.
Ready to take the next step? Here’s how to become part of SHINE Company.
Step 1: Enroll in the Fall Mainstage Production
This year’s fall show is Shrek JR. Every student who enrolls is cast. You’ll audition for your role and be a part of our Mainstage Production.
Step 2: Commit to JTF
Families commit to attending the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) in Atlanta with us January 15-17. This is where the full SHINE Company experience comes together, workshops with Broadway professionals, adjudication and feedback, and an unforgettable weekend with the group.
Step 3: Perform, Grow, and Shine
From there, SHINE Company members take the stage throughout the year, in community performances across Charlotte and in our Spring Musical Revue. Along the way, students build confidence, artistry, and friendships that last well beyond stage.
For SHINE Company, the road to growth runs through Atlanta, home of the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF), the world’s biggest and best celebration of young people performing musical theater. What began in 2003 as a three-day experiment at the Fox Theatre has grown into a massive event held at the Cobb Galleria Centre, drawing more than 7,000 theatre students, families, and teachers from around the world each year, with troupes traveling in from across the U.S. as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, and countries as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The event has even earned recognition beyond the theatre world.
Throughout the weekend, our performers are adjudicated and receive direct feedback from Broadway professionals. They also take workshops in music, theatre, and dance led by industry pros, and enjoy special concerts along with exclusive previews of new musical theatre productions not yet officially released. What sets JTF apart from other youth theatre events, though, is its spirit. Unlike many youth theatre gatherings, JTF centers on celebration over competition, with the true heart of the festival found in the connections students make with each other and with educators. It’s not unusual for alumni to return years later as working professionals. A recent festival even featured a panel of JTF alumni who all made their Broadway debuts the same year, a full circle moment that speaks to what this festival can mean for a young performer’s future. It’s an immersive weekend that challenges our students creatively while offering them a real look at what a career in the performing arts can look like.
Joining SHINE Company means becoming part of a tight knit group of performers who push each other to improve, take real risks on stage, and celebrate every milestone together. Students walk away with genuine performance experience and honest guidance from working professionals in the industry. Parents aren’t left on the sidelines either. They find themselves sharing encouragement among each other and rooting for every kid on the stage. At the end of the day, it’s a community built on hard work, encouragement, and a whole lot of fun.
Here’s how you can be a part of our 2026-2026 SHINE Company!