BAMtheatre students win national theater awards
BAMtheatre, a Chicago area youth conservatory in Westmont, has achieved a landmark 2026 competition season, earning top-tier recognition at three of the nation’s most prestigious youth theater festivals and setting a new benchmark for excellence in pre-professional training.
Performing on national stages in Atlanta and Sacramento at the Junior Theater Festival, and in Orlando at the National Performing Arts Festival, BAMtheatre students distinguished themselves among the country’s most accomplished young performers — earning premier awards in every age division represented.
At JTF Atlanta, BAMtheatre’s High School Conservatory Ensemble received the festival’s coveted All-Festival Performance Award. Selected from an elite national field, the ensemble was invited to perform on the festival’s main stage before an audience of more than 7,000 — a distinction reserved for only a handful of groups and a testament to their artistry, discipline, and commanding stage presence.
Just weeks later, at JTF West, BAMtheatre’s Junior BAM Conservatory Ensemble (grades 3-8) also earned the All-Festival Performance Award, affirming the depth of training across age levels. Judges recognized the ensemble’s refined musicality, sophisticated storytelling, and cohesive ensemble work — hallmarks of BAMtheatre’s rigorous, process-driven approach to performance.
The momentum continued in Orlando, where BCE Prep (grades 2-6), the organization’s youngest conservatory team, earned the Junior Ensemble Showcase Award — first overall in their division. The ensemble was featured on the festival’s main stage and also received a Superior Ranking, the Award for Excellence in Storytelling, and the Arslanian Award for spirit and sportsmanship.
Together, these honors mark one of the most successful competitive seasons in BAMtheatre’s history — with top national awards earned at every level of its Conservatory pipeline.
“Our students are trained like artists,” said Melanie Lamoureux, artistic director of BAMtheatre. “From September through festival season, they engage in focused study of voice, movement, acting technique, and ensemble craft. They are challenged to think critically, rehearse intentionally, and perform with both precision and heart. The results we saw on these national stages are the product of months of disciplined, professional-level training.”
BAMtheatre’s Conservatory Ensembles are audition-based and draw students from across the Chicago area. Rehearsals mirror industry standards, emphasizing character analysis, physical storytelling, vocal technique, and collaborative problem-solving. Students are mentored by professional performers and educators who hold them to high artistic expectations while fostering a culture of respect and encouragement.
While the awards highlight technical achievement, the organization points to something deeper as the true measure of success: the character of its students.
“Excellence is not accidental,” Lamoureux continued. “It is built in rehearsal rooms where students learn to support one another, accept feedback, and strive for growth. We are proud not only of how they performed — but of who they are becoming.”
As BAMtheatre continues its 2026 season, these national recognitions affirm what families across the region already know: when young artists are given rigorous training, individualized attention, and a strong ensemble culture, they rise to extraordinary heights.
About BAMtheatre
BAMtheatre is a Chicago area performing arts organization dedicated to developing confident, collaborative, and highly trained young artists. Through conservatory-level instruction, small class sizes, and immersive performance opportunities, students receive individualized coaching in voice, acting, and movement while cultivating discipline, empathy, and leadership. BAMtheatre is committed to producing not only exceptional performers — but exceptional humans.