A Theatre Company for Homeschool & Virtual School Students in Grades 6–8

The stage is more than a place to perform. It is a place to belong.

The Orlando Family Stage Homeschool Junior Thespian Company is a theatre experience designed specifically for homeschool and virtual school students who are ready to challenge themselves, grow as artists, and become part of a supportive theatrical community.

Students rehearse an adjudicated one-act production, prepare Individual Events, receive personalized coaching and professional feedback, and experience what it means to create theatre as an ensemble. Along the way, they build confidence, strengthen their performance skills, and develop lasting friendships while representing Orlando Family Stage at the Florida Junior Thespian District Festival.

Whether your student is stepping onto the stage for the first time or is ready to take their theatre training to the next level, this company provides an encouraging environment where curiosity, commitment, and collaboration are celebrated.

What Makes This Program Different?

Many homeschool students miss out on the theatre opportunities available through traditional middle schools. The Homeschool Junior Thespian Company was created to change that.

Students become members of Orlando Family Stage’s official Junior Thespian troupe, joining a national network of young theatre artists through the Educational Theatre Association. Company members train together, rehearse together, solve creative challenges together, and celebrate each other’s successes while experiencing a professional rehearsal process.

Why Join the Company?

Build Your Skills

Receive individualized coaching that helps students grow in acting, storytelling, audition technique, collaboration, and performance while developing confidence both on and off the stage.

Find Your Community

The strongest performances come from strong ensembles. Students build meaningful friendships while learning how to support one another through rehearsal, performance, and creative collaboration.

Learn From Theatre Professionals

Rehearsals are led by experienced Orlando Family Stage teaching artists who provide personalized feedback and model a professional rehearsal environment that encourages creativity, responsibility, and artistic growth.

What Are Junior Thespians?

Junior Thespians is the middle school division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the international honor organization for student theatre.

As members of Orlando Family Stage’s official Junior Thespian troupe, students become part of a national community of young theatre artists while participating in one of the country’s largest theatre education organizations.

Through Junior Thespians, students have opportunities to:

  • Participate in an adjudicated one-act production
  • Perform Individual Events
  • Receive constructive feedback from theatre professionals
  • Attend workshops led by theatre educators and industry artists
  • Meet and collaborate with students from across Florida
  • Develop confidence, leadership, and communication skills
What Does the Season Look Like?

August

  • Auditions
  • Company announcements

September

  • Parent & Student Orientation
  • Ensemble building
  • Beginning one-act rehearsals
  • Introduction to Individual Events

October

  • Continued rehearsals
  • Character development
  • Performance coaching
  • Individual Event preparation

November

  • Florida Junior Thespian District Festival
  • One-act performance
  • Individual Events
  • Workshops and adjudications

December–January

  • Continued theatre training
  • Reflection and skill development
  • Additional company activities

February

  • If the company or individuals qualify, participation in the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival
Company Expectations

Because the company rehearses and performs together throughout the season, every member plays an important role in the success of the ensemble.

Students are expected to:

  • Attend rehearsals regularly
  • Arrive prepared and ready to participate
  • Support fellow company members
  • Practice responsibility and professionalism
  • Embrace creative challenges
  • Communicate respectfully with peers and instructors

Families should understand that attendance is an important part of building a successful ensemble and preparing for festival performances.

Tuition Includes

Tuition covers:

  • Educational Theatre Association Junior Thespian membership
  • Florida Junior Thespian District Festival registration
  • Participation in the one-act production
  • Coaching for individual events
  • Professional instruction throughout the season
  • Company t-shirt

Additional costs (such as State Festival participation, if the company or individuals qualify ) will be communicated separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need previous theatre experience?

Not at all. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to audition.

Is this a competitive program?

Students participate in a one-act production that receives scores and feedback, and may choose to enter Individual Events at the Florida Junior Thespian District Festival. Adjudication is performed by professional theatre artists and educators based on a rubric. Although students receive their scores and adjudicator commentary, and those scores, if qualifying, can lead students to be eligible for the State Festival, neither the District or State Festival have “winners” – there are no opportunities to place, and any number of students can receive the highest marks. While the festival is an exciting goal, our primary focus is artistic growth, collaboration, and building confidence.

Are Individual Events required?

No. Students may choose whether or not to participate in Individual Events (Thespys). Individual events can include both onstage and offstage work including:

  • Monologue
  • Duet acting
  • Group acting
  • Pantomime
  • Improvisation
  • Solo Musical
  • Duet Musical
  • Small Group Musical
  • Large Group Musical
  • Costume Design
  • Makeup Design
  • Scene Writing
  • Scenic Design
  • Stage Management
  • Theatre Marketing 

What if we qualify for the State Festival?

Families will receive additional information regarding rehearsal schedules, registration, and fees if the company advances to the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival.

What should students wear?

Comfortable clothing that allows for movement and closed-toe shoes suitable for rehearsal.

Join Our Founding Company

Every tradition begins somewhere!

As a member of our inaugural Homeschool Junior Thespian Company, your student can establish the traditions, culture, and memories that future company members will build upon for years to come.