"We have different lives and faces, but our hearts have common places."

Last weekend at the sold out Junior Theater Festival, held in Atlanta, Georgia, hundreds of children, parents, and educators were brought together by their love of performance. Having such an opportunity is incredible under any circumstances, but it is a particular gift in light of the devastating tragedy that occurred in Haiti. At the conclusion of the festival, participants were encouraged to offer a small contribution to the relief efforts and the outpouring of support was so impressive that co-producers iTheatrics and Atlanta's Theater of the Stars, as well as presenting sponsor, Music Theatre International each matched the total, combining for a grand total of $5,000.

The money collected will be donated to Food for the Poor , an organization that provides direct relief assistance to the poor. With this contribution, the charity will be able to provide over 150,000 meals to kids who have been left hungry by the earthquake's destruction.

We at Music Theatre International believe in the incredible transformative powers of theatre. We encourage others to use their talents to make a difference, as well.

About the Junior Theater Festival
The Junior Theater Festival is the world's largest musical theater festival dedicated to groups working with elementary and middle school students and is presented by Music Theatre International and is hosted and produced by iTheatrics and Atlanta's Theater of the Stars.  Drawing over 1500 attendees from nearly 50 schools and educational theater groups from across the United States and Canada, the Junior Theater Festival offers an enthusiastic environment for students and teachers to interact with thousands of others who share their passion for musical theater.  Each group performs a 15-minute selection of a musical for professional adjudication by a panel of distinguished theater professionals.