For the past seven months, 16 incredible individuals, ranging in age from 10 to 15, have worked hard, prayed, and grown together. Embracing every challenge, lifting each other up, and chasing excellence with passion and joy. This weekend, Chapelhouse Company is heading to Sacramento, CA to compete at the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) West 2025—one of the largest celebrations of young performers in musical theater!
But this weekend is not just about the performance...
It’s about the journey that led us here. One filled with hard work, perseverance, creativity, faith, and unity. This team has spent months refining their craft, strengthening their confidence, and learning to support one another. For the students, directors, and parents alike, this has been more than just rehearsing for a competition. It has been a season of growth, transformation, and purpose.
Every great journey begins with a dream, but dreams alone don’t create success. Hard work, passion, and perseverance do. The road to JTF 2025 began nearly a year ago when auditions opened in March of 2024, setting the foundation for what would become one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for everyone involved. At Chapelhouse Studios, we don’t just cast performers... we build a team. A team of leaders, storytellers, and artists who will uplift one another, put in the work, and step onto the stage with integrity and purpose. The audition process wasn’t about finding the best voices or the most polished actors; it was about finding young artists who were willing to be shaped, stretched, and molded into performers that would strive to uncover the depths of their God-given potential.
From the very beginning of the casting process, we knew we had something truly special. At our JTF 2025 Welcome Party in May, there was an energy among the group that felt different. These students weren’t just excited, they were invested. They were eager to meet each other, to start learning, and to begin something new. Over the summer, as they received their music and materials, they took their first steps toward what would become the journey of a lifetime!
Then came August 10, 2024. Our first official rehearsal as a team! That day was already significant, but what made it even more special was that it was also the first ever rehearsal in our brand new studio space! There was something profound about the fact that as we stepped into this journey as a team, we were also stepping into a brand new chapter for Chapelhouse Studios. This first rehearsal set the tone for the months ahead. It was a day full of big energy, nerves, excitement, and the beginning of something extraordinary. The first listen-through of the 15 minute cut gave everyone a glimpse of the incredible story we would be telling. Little did anyone know that what started that day would push, challenge, and change our entire group in the most beautiful and rewarding ways.
Talent is a starting point, but what separates good performers from great ones is the willingness to put in the work. From the very first rehearsal, this team showed that they weren’t just talented, they were also dedicated. Every Thursday, they gathered for fast paced, high energy 1.5 hour rehearsals, balancing school, extracurriculars, and personal responsibilities to be there. Many of them arrived exhausted from the day but determined to give it their all. Saturdays, however, were the true test of endurance. These 3-4 hour rehearsals were where the layers of storytelling were written, where character development was deepened, and where a family was made. There were days of absolute magic, where everything clicked and the excitement was contagious. But there were also days of frustration, exhaustion, and moments where our team learned to push past their limits.
Some numbers took longer to solidify than others. Certain moments weren’t working, requiring reworking and revising until they finally felt right. Choreography was often adjusted as we discovered new ways to enhance the story. Some numbers had to be completely relearned and restructured, which could have easily led to discouragement. But instead of backing down, this group leaned in. They learned to embrace the hard days just as much as the easy ones. When choreography felt impossible, they kept trying. When harmonies weren’t locking in, they kept listening. When blocking had to be reworked for the third time, they kept adjusting. This is a team that showed up with resilience, every single time.
They haven't just worked to create a great performance; they have worked to become the best versions of themselves as performers. And it has showed. Week after week, we have watched them grow stronger. Their confidence has soared. Their ability to make an audience feel has deepened. Their bond as a team has been solidified in ways that can’t be taught, only experienced. They aren't just a group of kids performing a few numbers. They are intricate storytellers. They are fearless leaders. They are compassionate friends. And they are amazing artists.
And through it all, they have learned that hard work is what separates the dreamers from the doers. It has always been about learning who they are, what they’re capable of, and how powerful they can be when they come together.
Something that makes this team so special is that they aren’t just a cast, they are a family. From the very beginning, we have emphasized that community and connection matter just as much as skill and performance. We knew this cut would take hard work, long rehearsals, and moments of exhaustion and overwhelm were possible, but we also knew that if we built a strong foundation of friendship, encouragement, and faith, it would carry us through.
These students have become a support system for one another, forming a bond that extends far beyond the stage. They celebrate each other’s victories, lift each other up, and bring out the best in one another. There have been so many moments of pure joy in this journey, moments that remind us that the experience is just as important as the final performance. One of those moments was our annual Chapelhouse Co. Christmas Party, a night that became one of the most cherished team building experiences of the year!
The entire team came together for an evening filled with laughter, games, and bonding. They kicked off the evening with our Christmas Caroling community fundraiser, where they spread holiday cheer throughout our amazing town. This time was truly joyous as we made our focus about giving back, using our voices to bless others, and experiencing the happiness that comes from sharing our gifts. Back at the house, they sang karaoke at the top of their lungs, played many games, and told stories late into the night. They spent hours simply enjoying each other’s company, free from the pressures of rehearsal.
Another special memory was a private movie screening of Mufasa. One of our spectacular team parents organized renting out an entire theater just for our team, turning it into a unique combination of fun and education. As they watched the film, they saw their characters in a new light, making this experience more than just watching a movie. It was a character study, quality time well spent together, and a moment to deepen their appreciation for the story we are telling!
Beyond these events, we have also cherished the little traditions that have made this journey even more special. One of our favorite new traditions we have implemented this year has been our keychain charms, a simple yet meaningful way to recognize effort, perseverance, and growth. After each rehearsal, students who have shown exceptional dedication, hard work, or kindness were invited to choose a bead to add to their keychain. Week after week, these keychains have grown, becoming a tangible representation of their journey. Each charm symbolizes a moment of success, a breakthrough, a challenge overcome, or an act of encouragement. Looking at their keychains now, you can see not just a collection of beads, but their own personal story of dedication, heart, and teamwork.
But none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our incredible parents. Behind every student is a parent who has made countless sacrifices to make this experience possible. They have spent months driving to rehearsals, planning fundraisers, organizing extra events, and have been cheerleaders, encouragers, and a source of strength for both their children and our directing team. They have trusted us with their children’s gifts, their time, and their hearts. To every parent who has contributed in ways big and small, we see you. We appreciate you. And we could not have done this without you! Your belief in your children, in this production, and in Chapelhouse Studios has made all the difference.
This journey has also profoundly impacted our directing team. We came into this season ready to guide and teach, but what we didn’t realize was how much we would also learn. We have seen firsthand what it means to persevere through challenges. We have learned how to better serve, lead, and uplift young artists. And we have been reminded again and again of why we do what we do. We have watched these students step into confidence, leadership, and faith in ways bigger than we could've imagined. We have seen them push through the difficult moments and come out stronger on the other side. And we have had the honor of pouring into them, not just as performers, but as young people of faith.
Our studio’s foundational verse is Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. This production & this team has been a living, breathing example of that truth. This journey has not just been about putting together an awesome cutting of a beloved story. It has been about recognizing that every student here is a masterpiece, uniquely created, gifted, and called for a purpose. Each moment of growth, every breakthrough in rehearsal, and every act of encouragement has been a reflection of His hand at work. We could not be more grateful for this team, this journey, and the opportunity to share this incredible experience together.
Now, as we prepare to board our flight Friday morning, we do so with full hearts, grateful for the process, the friendships fostered, and the unwavering support of our community, family, and friends. The journey to JTF 2025 has been one of grit, compassion, and faith. These students have poured everything they have into this moment. Regardless of what happens at competition, they have already won in the ways that matter most. They have grown in confidence, in their craft, and in their ability to tell a story that is so much bigger than just a performance. They have supported one another, lifted each other up, and pushed through every challenge together. They have laughed, learned, worked hard, and built something truly special. They will walk into JTF as a team, a family, and as young artists who are stepping fully into their God-given potential.
And we don’t want to send them off without a celebration!
TOMORROW NIGHT, we invite YOU to come be part of their journey at our special send-off performance!
📅 Thursday, February 6th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Pleasant View Elementary
🎟 FREE Admission!
This is your ONLY chance to see their 15-minute cutting of The Lion King JR. before they take it to competition! This group has worked since August to bring this story to life, and we would love for our community to come out, cheer them on, and send them off in the biggest way. This is a quick 15-30 minute showcase, perfect for all ages, and a moment to celebrate not just their hard work, but the heart behind what they’ve created.
To our Chapelhouse Fam, our incredible parents, and everyone who has encouraged these students along the way, this journey would not be possible without you. Your belief in them, your sacrifices, your support, and your encouragement have been a large part of what has carried them through. Thank you for standing beside them and making this experience one they will never forget.
And to the incredible artists that make Chapelhouse Company 2025 what it is... We could not be more proud. You are bold, talented, hardworking, fearless, and inspiring. You have honored this story, honored your growth, and honored the Lord in the way you’ve approached this journey. As you take your cutting to JTF this weekend, know that so many in our community are cheering for you, your Chapelhouse family is standing behind you, and that no matter what happens, you have already made us so incredibly proud. Walk with your heads held high and with the confidence of who stands before and behind you. You were made for this!
Godley, Texas — these kids are representing you well, and we can’t wait to show the Yellow Pod what we’re made of! Let’s pack the house tomorrow night and send them off in the best way possible!
