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.
In addition to the MainStage honor, the troupe once again captured Best in Show at Districts, awarded to Amelia Walker and Jane Han for their Duet Musical performance of “Freedom” from The Mad Ones. These students will perform alongside 11 other district winners at the festival’s Opening Ceremonies on February 5, 2026, for a live audience of 2,500, with additional attendees viewing on video screens outside the venue.
This year, Troupe 88521 presented 28 performance pieces, earning:25 Superior ratings, 3 Excellent ratings, 12 Top Honors (perfect scores) and 5 Judge’s Choice Awards.
Top Honors Recipients (Superior Ratings with a Perfect Score)
Best in Show, Judge's Choice, Top Honors, Superior – Amelia Walker & Jane Han, Duet Musical: Freedom (The Mad Ones)
Judge's Choice, Top Honors, Superior – Small Group Musical: Forget About the Boy (Thoroughly Modern Millie)
Judge's Choice, Top Honors, Superior – Yeats Minson & Julius Deutsch, Duet Musical: The Company Way (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying)
Judge's Choice, Top Honors, Superior – Ensemble Acting: The Internet is Distract…Oh Look a Kitten
Judge's Choice, Top Honors, Superior – Tess de las Alas, Solo Musical: Quiet (Matilda)
Top Honors, Superior – Small Group Musical: All Girl Band (A My Name Is Alice)
Top Honors, Superior – Small Group Musical: Edgar Allan Poe (Snoopy)
Top Honors, Superior – Small Group Musical: In Color (Boop)
Top Honors, Superior – Zoe Leontiades & Nora Baiser, Duet Musical: Two Peas in a Pod (Grey Gardens)
Top Honors, Superior – Amelia Walker, Solo Musical: Astonishing (Little Women)
Top Honors, Superior – Ensemble Acting: The Bible in 30 Minutes or Less
Top Honors, Superior – Ensemble Acting: 10 Ways to Survive the End of the World