Lincoln Middle School’s Thespian Troupe 88521, under the direction of Jackie Collins, has been selected to perform ‘Mean Girls Jr.’ on the Mainstage at the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival in Orlando in early February.  

In October, the troupe’s production of ‘Mean Girls Jr.’ was judged by two judges from Florida, according to an Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) press release. Out of 10 productions that were submitted, only two were chosen to perform at the state festival, with Lincoln being one of them.  

According to the release, this is the first time ever that a Gainesville-area middle school and District 1 representative, which is made up of 12 school districts, including Duval/Jacksonville, has been chosen for a Mainstage performance at the Junior Thespian State Festival.  

Lincoln’s performance will take place on Feb. 6, 2026, in front of a crowd of roughly 2,500 thespians from around Florida, the release said.  

In addition to the Mainstage recognition, the Lincoln Middle Troupe also won Best in Show for the fourth year in a row at the Florida Junior Thespians District 1 competition. Students Amelia Walker and Jane Han won the award for their duet musical performance of ‘Freedom’ from The Mad Ones.  

Walker and Han, along with 11 other district winners, will perform at the Junior Thespian State Festival Opening Ceremonies on Feb. 5, 2026, in front of a live audience of 2,500, with more attendees watching on video screens outside the venue, the release said.  

This year, Lincoln Middle’s Thespian Troupe 88521 has presented 28 performance pieces, earning 25 Superior ratings, three Excellent ratings, 12 Top Honors (perfect scores) and five Judge’s Choice Awards.  

Best in Show, Judge’s Choice, Top Honors, Superior – Amelia Walker and 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 and 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 and 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