Three students from Hoi Polloi Academy (HPA) in Malta have been selected to take part in the 2026 edition of the International All-Stars Programme in New York City, a prestigious opportunity in the global musical theatre scene.
Emily Georgea Dimech, Erika Bonello, and Laura Cardona will be travelling to the United States in January 2026 to join other high-performing students from around the world.
HPA is currently seeking sponsorship to help cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and participation fees for the students and their chaperones. Interested sponsors can get in touch directly with the academy.
The three young performers earned their place after being nominated and auditioning during the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) Europe 2025, held in Birmingham. During the same festival, HPA received the Achievement in Dance Award for their rendition of Shrek JR.
As International All-Stars, the students will work with Broadway professionals from iTheatrics to rehearse a brand-new piece of musical theatre. They will also participate in MTI’s Travel Gang programme, attend Broadway shows and masterclasses, and later perform their work on the main stage of JTF Atlanta – the world’s largest youth musical theatre festival.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Marco Calleja, Artistic Director of HPA. “To have three of our students selected is just overwhelming. They’ll be representing HPA, Malta, and everything we believe in – creativity, collaboration, and growth.”
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Written By
Nicole Zammit
When she’s not writing articles at work or poetry at home, you’ll find her taking long walks in the countryside, pumping iron at the gym, caring for her farm animals, or spending quality time with family and friends. In short, she’s always on the go, drawing inspiration from the little things around her, and constantly striving to make the ordinary extraordinary.
