Press release from Alachua County Public Schools
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Lincoln Middle School’s Thespian Troupe 88521, under the direction of Jackie Collins, has achieved an unprecedented milestone with its selection to perform Mean Girls Jr. on the MainStage at the Florida State Thespian Festival. The troupe also earned Best in Show at the Florida Junior Thespians District 1 competition for the fourth consecutive year, continuing a remarkable streak of excellence.
In October, the troupe’s production of Mean Girls Jr. was adjudicated by two experienced judges from Florida. Out of ten productions submitted, only two were chosen for the honor of performing at the state festival in Orlando this February. Lincoln’s performance will take place on February 6, 2026, in front of an audience of approximately 2,500 thespians from around the state. This marks the first time in history that a Gainesville-area middle school and District 1 representative (which is made up of 12 school districts, including Duval/Jacksonville) has been selected for a MainStage performance at the Junior Thespian State Festival…