A team of 26 students from Hoi Polloi Academy (HPA) brought the house down at the Junior Theatre Festival 2025 in Birmingham, the UK, with a dynamic 14-minute adaptation of Shrek JR on Saturday.
The students, aged 7 to 16, won the prestigious dance award − a recognition of their discipline, energy and expressive storytelling through movement, HPA artistic director Marco Calleja said.
Academy members Amy Farrugia and Raffaele Luigi Gauci were also selected as JTF All-Stars, joining other students from across Europe in learning a specially choreographed number in the afternoon and performing it on the main stage during the evening’s awards ceremony. Farrugia’s selection marks her second consecutive year as an All-Star.
Meanwhile, all HPA students participated in workshops in acting, singing and dance, led by West End professionals, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the world of musical theatre.
HPA educators also participated in professional development workshops delivered by leading industry experts from iTheatrics.
“What we saw this weekend is our ethos in motion − a collective that uplifts, empowers, and supports each other artistically and personally. HPA is becoming more than a school − it’s a community. A place where young people grow into themselves through theatre and through one another,” artistic director Calleja said.
Additionally, three students, Emily Georgea Dimech, Erika Bonello and Laura Cardona, were nominated and auditioned for the International All-Stars programme, which could see them invited to New York City in 2026 to train and perform with peers from around the world.
The judges also praised the diversity of ages within the group, noting how “Children will listen” was brought to life on stage − with younger performers visibly inspired by the older ones. One judge remarked that it was clear how much the students like each other, and that genuine bond came through in their performance.
Reflecting on the experience, Marie Louise Mangion, one of the accompanying parents, shared:
“For those parents who are not in Birmingham: the children performed wonderfully, giving their all and sharing what they truly enjoy doing together. The judges commented soooo positively on the performance as it showed the excellent mentorship throughout. We only have Mr Marco, Ms Lara, Ms Claire, Ms Rebecca, Ms Maria, and all the educators to thank. The Hoi Polloi spirit shone.”
Each year, Birmingham’s ICC hosts the acclaimed Junior Theatre Festival, Europe’s top showcase of musical theatre for young talents, produced by Music Theatre International (MTI).
Established in 1952 by Broadway luminaries Frank Loesser and Don Walker, Music Theatre International (MTI) operates a London office that oversees a vast European market from Iceland to Israel. Annually, MTI licences over 5,000 productions spanning from schools to professionals, captivating audiences exceeding six million worldwide.
About Hoi Polloi Academy
The Hoi Polloi Theatre Productions hit the local scene in 2004, when a bunch of eager sixth formers teamed up with seasoned theatre pros to put on a show called SINDI RELLA – A Summer Panto.
Now known as the Hoi Polloi Theatre Company (HPTC), this creative ensemble, under the leadership of director and actor Marco Calleja, has staged a number of productions: Youropean? (Maritime Museum, 2024), CATS (VCT, 2019), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (MCC, 2011), and This Thing Called Love (Manoel Theatre, 2006).
The Hoi Polloi Academy (HPA) was then established in 2013, dedicated to nurturing young talents, followed by the establishment of The Creative Hub in Qormi, in 2018.
Parents and prospective students can contact the academy by calling 9915 2535, explore HPA’s Facebook page and Instagram, reach out via e-mail at hello@hoipolloimalta.com or drop by The Creative Hub.
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