Every year, only five theatre educators nationwide receive the esteemed Freddie G. Fellowship and this year, Cibby Bowden, managing director of North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) - Fairview, is among the select few. Yes, you read that correctly: just five educators across the country earn this Broadway-level recognition, and one of them is from right here in North Texas.
This exclusive honor includes an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City for an immersive weekend with industry professionals. Funded by Broadway producer Freddie Gershon and his wife Myrna, former Screen Gems motion picture marketing executive, the fellowship also grants NTPA a $5,000 donation to support arts programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
A Broadway-Level Learning Experience
Bowden will spend four days in the heart of the theatre world, attending master classes, workshops and Broadway shows while networking with top industry figures. According to Gershon, the fellowship's goal is to equip educators with knowledge and experiences they can bring back to their students and communities. “These teachers perform inspiring work with limited financial resources,” said Gershon in an official statement. “We want to give them the opportunity to live the Broadway experience and interact with qualified professionals.”
A Win For NTPA At Junior Theatre Festival
Bowden was honored at the 2025 Junior Theatre Festival (JTF), the nation's largest student theatre gathering. This is NTPA’s fifth invitation to the festival — a distinction only a select few theatre companies receive.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Cibby’s recognition and the tremendous impact she has brought to the North Texas Performing Arts,” said NTPA CEO Darrell Rodenbaugh in an official statement. “In her decade at NTPA she has created a powerhouse theatre and an incredible performance troupe.”
NTPA’s student troupe, directed by Bowden, performed selections from Disney’s The Little Mermaid and took home the prestigious Best in POD Award, the festival’s highest honor. Additionally, students Emmerson Pullen and Devin Douglas were named JTF All-Stars, earning spots in a special dance workshop and VIP Q&A session.
This isn’t NTPA’s first big moment. After last year’s JTF, the organization was one of only three troupes selected to premiere Disney's Dare to Dream JR. The cast spent months rehearsing before joining other selected groups for final preparations with Disney creatives, including director and choreographer Emily Maltby.
What is the Junior Theatre Festival?
The Junior Theatre Festival brings together student musical theater troupes from around the world for a weekend filled with performances, workshops, showcases and a whole lot of fun with like-minded theater enthusiasts.
In addition to competing, students participate in workshops taught by Broadway professionals, view previews of upcoming Broadway Junior titles and engage with current Broadway performers in Q&A sessions.
For more information on North Texas Performing Arts, visit ntpa.org.
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