Thirty-one Y-Arts kids, ages 6 to 18, will be participating in the 11th annual Junior Theater Festival at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta Jan. 15-17, led by director Emily Mirabile.

In addition to its 15-minute adjudication performance from “Godspell Jr.,” the Y-Arts group will perform on the main stage in the Broadway Junior Retrospective. Mirabile says the group will be performing “All For the Best” with another group, Jeter Backyard Theater, for everyone attending.

Rehearsals began monthly last summer, and increased in September to once a week through Jan. 9.

Drum roll for the 2016 Y-Arts group ... Sarah Harris, Trey Tibbetts, Emerson Harris, Spencer Pottle, Taylor Fish, Brynna Nelson, Emma Tolley, Jordan Chamness, Noelle Timberlake, Aelia Russell, Rachel Barter, Jackie McLoon, Ellie Hilscher, Phoebe Cook, Molly Shook, Alyson Shook, Mia Eason, Rick Hilscher, Della Hahn, Callan Eason, Sadie Yentsch, Genevieve Taylor, Zoe Eason, Kayleigh Tolley, Kate Hilscher, Lilley Harris, Emily Mirabile, Katherine Tolley, Aaron Densmore and Jacob Bishopp.

These kids are super-psyched for the trip. Some have been going since the first year Y-Arts attended the festival in 2009, some have gone once or twice before, but many are attending for the first time.

Nine-year-old Aelia Russell remembered what she felt when Mirabile announced they were going last winter.

“I was surprised, and at first, I was kinda scared and didn't want to go,” she said.  ”But then it was too interesting to say no to! I like being a team and everyone gets to do everything.”

Trey Tibbetts has performed with Y-Arts for two years. The 7-year-old really likes how the group is a team working together. “We never leave each other. We stick together like a pod of fish ... I’m excited about Atlanta and scared at the same time!”

Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) sophomore Jackie McLoon was 7 when she performed “Godspell, Jr.“ with Y-Arts the first time, but is as excited as the kids who’ve never been.

“I think it’s more fun ’cause I'm older now and get dance solos,” she said. ”When you’re younger, it’s fun, but you're not as into it — you don’t get many of the lead parts.”

BRHS junior Noelle Timberlake agreed.  ”When I was younger, I wasn’t as engaged. As little kids, you don't really move that much. After every single song in “Godspell” I'm out of breath, but really enjoying it.”

Della Hahn is ready for her third trip to Atlanta. She vividly remembers doing “Capt. Louie, Jr.” and “Pinocchio Jr.”

“The year we did Capt. Louie, we did an extra piece and performed “Peter Pan Jr” — in costumes — for everyone at the festival, it was so cool,” she said. “I like the choreography in “Godspell,” — it’s on a whole different level.”

The two high school seniors, Genevieve Taylor and Kate Hilscher, were part of the cast when Y-Arts performed “Godspell Jr.” in 2009.

“It’s cool doing the same show. We’ve come full circle!” Hilscher said. “’Godspell Jr’ is my favorite because it’s so ensemble-focused.”

Taylor is also really looking forward to seeing some of the friends she’s made at the Junior Theatre Festival over the years.

“It’s so fun being in one big hotel with a bunch of people just like you,” she said. “And you make friends with kids from everywhere.”

Hilscher enthusiastically agreed then added, “Watching the little kids their first time, who've never seen so many people in one place (the theater space is 65,000 square feet), the Broadway music blasting, they see that huge stage ...”

Both girls agreed that the competition was “such a small part of the experience.”

There are student workshops and master classes to build audition and movement skills, among others. And the Broadway Junior scouts will be watching for outstanding students to invite to audition for iTheatrics’ choreographer Steven G. Kennedy for the chance to be cast in future Broadway Junior DVDs. In 2010, Sophia Thayer, Nate Friant, Rick Hilscher and Kate Friant were cast in the national choreography DVD for “Fame, Jr.” So, it can happen — even when you’re from a small town at the end of a peninsula in midcoast Maine!

This community’s response to the successes Y-Arts has had at the Festival over the years, the police escort, the fire trucks sirens blaring, friends, family and residents out along the roadside waving and cheering, has been great.

“It’s so rewarding to know the community cares about this program so much,” said Taylor.

Kate Hilscher added, “I do sports, but it’s cool for this group to have their big entrance (like the sports teams do) when we win. Not a lot of towns can balance the sports and theater like this one.”

Speaking of community support, to catch a preview of the Y-Arts’ adjudication piece, be at the YMCA field house on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. and be part of their first “Godspell, Jr.” audience.

Mirabile says she decided to revisit “Godspell” for many of the same reasons the kids themselves like it: It’s a great ensemble, high-energy show.

“The kids and I have all come so far since our first time at JTF; six of the kids that are going this year attended the festival with me the first time,” Mirabile said. “Godspell” this time around has a lot more dancing, and the kids have really stepped up with their emotions throughout the piece.

“This whole weekend is a celebration of theatre and dance. It’s a wonderful experience for any child who loves any aspect of theatre,” Mirabile said. “I just want the kids to come back home knowing there are so many people out there who love musical theater –- just like they do.”

For more on the 2106 Junior Theatre Festival, the confirmed celebrity guests and activities, visit http://www.itheatrics.com.