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Read news articles about StarStruck events and performances, show reviews.

Students learn life lessons from Musical

By Samantha Joseph

HomeTown News; October 28th, 2011

MARTIN COUNTY- A musical based on Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" is having a profound effect on teenagers bringing the play to stage.

The nearly 150-year-old novel with an ambitious scope tells the story of a protagonist Jean Val Jean , who spends 19 years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children and subsequently attempts to escape from prison.

Once he's free, Mr. Val Jean spends his life doing good deeds, even though some people continue to view the ex-convict with distrust.

"'Les Miserables' means misery, but I see so much positive in it, as well," said Kevin Paul, the 15-year-old actor from StarStruck Performing Arts Center, who's playing Mr. Val Jean. "That's what I'm taking away from it. In life, it's never too late to change or start over."

Kevin is one of the 34 teens on the cast of the show, coming to StarStruck Theatre next month.

And the group's leaders say the French Revolution-era story is as relevant today as it was then.

"My students and I, we spend a lot of time talking about the characters," said Jennifer Jones, the show's Director and Producer. "Everybody can relate because of the plot line's focus on healing, dealing with human nature, forgiveness and loving people. It's a good vehicle for them to explore human characteristics."

Perhaps part of the appeal is the duality of Mr. Hugo's sweeping work, which inspired a Tony Award-winning score by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg.

One of the best known songs from the play gained mainstream prominence when Susan Boyle sang "I Dreamed a Dream" on a reality show talent contest.

In the song, Fantine, a central character, recalls a time when she was "young and unafraid, and dreams were made and used and wasted."

Filled with complicated harmonies, the Broadway musical led StarStruck's award-winning cast to rise to the occasion, Mrs. Jones said. "They are mastering it beautifully," she said.

As for Kevin, a 10th grader at The Pine School, this play is more than just singing and dancing.

"Jean Val Jean helps people. He's being positive, and believes that being positive can help people and take you places," he said. "I'm only 15. I still have a long way to go, but in a way, I'm getting a taste of what it might be like. You always can do more."

StarStruck premieres cozy, funky new theatre
October 14, 2011
by Jim Mayfield

When Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of StarStruck Performing Arts Center, described the facility’s new theater, which will premiere to the public Oct. 22, as a “cozy and funky little piece of New York,” I immediately entered the wormhole.

Passing time and space through the backdoor, I came out with my hands tucked deep in my wool long coat, collar up, shoulders hunched slightly against an early evening rain, standing squarely at 434 Lafayette St. in the Big Apple, just a few blocks up from Bleecker Street in front of the Astor Place Theater. It was several years ago now, but I remember like yesterday the black-gray NoHo neighborhood nighttime hues and settling chin=deep into a room surpassing any incarnations of jazz Kerouac could muster on a good day.

Just an artsy way of saying you probably don’t want to miss the grand opening of StarStruck’s new home at 2101 S. Kanner Highway in Stuart next Saturday.

With the academic wing open since June and a couple of “soft openings" behind it, StarStruck formally will join The Lyric Theater as Martin County’s only other open professional performing arts center with Peter Jones & Friends Musical Revue.

For the opening, Jones, who along with Jennifer has been staging, promoting and funding-not to mention training our kids-in the performing arts for more than a decade, will be joined by “a myriad” of local and not-so-local talent for a big-time Broadway revue, including a preview from the group’s production of “Les Miserables,” coming Nov. 10.

In addition to several New York equity actors and performers, the Treasure Coast’s own countertenor Terry Barber, founder of Artists for a Cause Inc., will be among the friends joining StarStruck’s celebration.

Much has been written about Barber’s talent, but frankly, I can make it really simple with a lot les ink: Go buy a ticket. You’ll only kick yourself for having not done it before now.

StarStruck’s new 25,000-square-foot facility will be available as an alternative venue in the county for those without a large budget but who need to stage a recital, concert or startup production, Jennifer Jones said.

“The Lyric and StarStruck are two different theaters in terms of Style,” she said. “They really complement each other.”

Tickets for the Oct. 22 opening are available at www.StarStruckFL.com, and the doors open at 7p.m. for cocktails in the lobby.

If you get there early, don't mind the bespectacled gent on line with hands deep in his pickets and that faraway look that says it’s all about the groove.

StarStruck Theatre opens venue, classrooms in Stuart

StarStruck Theatre has opened its doors as Stuart's newest performance venue and theatrical education facility, at 2101 South Kanner Hwy, Stuart.

A season of shows and events is scheduled for the inaugural year. The facility includes a reception area, lobby, bar, 220-seat theater, backstage area, dance rooms, classrooms and offices. It is available for rental for special events, seminars, and parties, the company said in a news release.

A grand opening gala featuring Peter Jones and cast is set for Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. For tickets or to schedule a tour of the facility, call 772-283-7787 or visit www.StarStruckFL.com.

StarStruck Theatre is owned by Jennifer and Peter Jones. Email info@starstruckfl.com or visit http://www.starstruckfl.com, or call 772-283-2313.

GOOD FOR YOU
Section

Flash mob was special
by Danielle Steinberg, Palm City
I am a high school senior who organized the flash mob at Dancing in the Streets on Aug. 27th to raise awareness for breast cancer. I want to thank all those who attended and danced with us for making the event so special. I also want to throw out a very special thank you to Peter and Jennifer Jones at StarStruck for letting us use their beautiful facility for our rehearsals, and for providing us with their wonderful choreographer, Jessica, who choreographed our great dance, free of charge.

Thanks to Peter, Jen and Jessica for your kind and generous donations of your time and expertise. It is people like all of you that make our community so special.

DiscoCize - Sweatin' to the '70's at StarStruck
STUART —StarStruck Performing Arts Center in Stuart has begun their Fall semester classes and the newest to hit the class roster is "DiscoSize." Modeled after the popular workout classes of the past - Sweatin' to the Oldies and JazzerCize, the fast-paced DiscoSize gets you moving to all your favorite 1970's classics like The Hustle, I Will Survive, Car Wash and many more.

When you are ready to Move Your Groove Thing, then head over to StarStruck on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. One time drop in only $15; special rate if you register for entire semester or you are a StarStruck parent.

Call 772-283-2313 or visit http:///www.StarStruckFL.com to Turn The Beat Around!

Dance flash mobs wow crowd at Dancin' in the Streets in Stuart
By Zaimarie De Guzman August 27, 2011

STUART — Downtown Stuart's annual Dancin' in the Streets looked as it did every year — people were singing along to music, eating carnival food and enjoying the festive atmosphere. But at about 7:30 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m., normalcy was interrupted when a seemingly spontaneous crowd of dancers gathered and put the event's name to truth as they performed the city's first reported dance flash mobs. Meant to spread joy through random acts, a flash mob is a group of people who plan a sudden performance in a public place for a brief time and then quickly break up. For more than a month, the two dance groups had been secretly rehearsing separately at Stuart's StarStruck Performing Arts center, but neither knew of each others plans until last week. "We wanted to do something exciting and different to draw attention to our cause," said Dani Steinberg, 17, a creator of the first performance. The Palm City student at Martin County High School is a board member of the American Cancer Society of Martin County. Her group of about 80 people danced to Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive," speaking out to cancer survivors. The participating youngsters and men and women, who ranged in age from 12 to 75, wore pink bras for breast cancer. "I'm doing this for my grandmother, who I lost to ovarian cancer two years ago," Steinberg said. "For my grandpa, too, who was in the flash mob." For Scott Carroll, 45, who arranged the second flash mob of about 35 people, the performance was about getting his name out in the community. "I wanted it to be in the middle of a big event where people weren't expecting anything out of the ordinary, and when they saw us they'd say 'Oh my gosh.' " Carroll got what he wanted. Shocked bystanders pulled out their cameras, and chatter of the happening quickly spread. Dancers were locals of all ages. Participants also came from Orlando and Tampa, where they practiced the choreography through YouTube vidoes Carroll sent them. The flash mob has created opportunities for Carroll, who is unemployed and looking to start a career in the arts. He already has received invitations to create another one in the area. "I think we've got a lot of negativity going on in the world right now, so it's a great thing to add a little joy to the people in our community through dancing or performing," he said.

STARSTRUCK ANNOUNCES SUMMER THEATRE PROGRAMS

TC Palm - April 20, 2011

STUART — StarStruck Performing Arts Center has announced its exciting summer! StarStruck is bringing the movies to the stage! Beginning June 13th, StarStruck will celebrate its 12th year as the Treasure Coast's premier training center for dance, acting, musical theatre, art, piano, guitar and voice. Sign your child up for any 4-week program or, if your time is limited, choose one of the AllStar 1-week programs.

StarStruck’s 4-week programs offer your children the opportunity to perform in a fully staged musical! Perform in "The Little Mermaid" (grades K-2); "Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr" (grades 3-6); or "The Wedding Singer" (grades 7-12). No previous experience in necessary and students do not need to audition to experience the program. Throughout the course of the four-week rehearsal process, students study vocal techniques, audition technique, character analysis, various dance forms and acting.

StarStruck's 1-week AllStars programs offer students an opportunity to explore many areas of performing arts including dance, art, voice and acting. It is a great introduction to these areas and can help the student direct their interests in a more specific area of study for the Fall Semester. Be a part of the theater magic! Call 772.283.2313 for registration and tuition information. Scholarships are always available. Visit http://www.StarStruckFL.com

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	*STARSTRUCK FINDS A STAGE TO CALL IT'S OWN*
By Zaimarie De Guzman - May 26, 2011
	When Jennifer and Peter Jones opened Stuart's StarStruck performing arts program 12 years ago, they were content with the 45 students they had recruited for their first summer in business. Now, with the 250 arts enthusiasts enrolled in the center each semester, the Jones' have found a need to expand. Last week, the couple announced plans to move StarStruck from the current 4,700-square-foot building to a 12,000-square-foot facility that will include two classrooms, three studios, three offices, a dressing room — and a theater. Without their own stage, StarStruck performers mostly have used The Lyric Theatre as a venue for big production shows. "We thought it was about time to give Starstruck families and clientele our own theater," Jennifer Jones said. "We also were getting a lot of calls from local companies without big budgets that couldn't afford to rent at places like the Lyric," Jones added. "They didn't want to go all the way to West Palm Beach, and they didn't want to perform at local high schools. There has been a huge need for a more affordable venue in the community." Lyric executive director John Loesser said renters usually pay 20 percent of their sales, assuming they fill the theater's 500 seats. "We definitely are in, if not under, industry standards when it comes to pricing, but I understand that many can't do their theatrical shows with us because it's not in their economic system," Loesser said. "I think the Starstruck theater would be good for smaller shows and high school shows, and I wish them luck." Jones and her husband spent three years searching for a building, finally choosing to rent space at the building also inhabited by the Palm Beach Post on Kanner Highway in Stuart. "We knew that was the right place because the shell of the building is a warehouse," Jones said. "When you think of a theater, you think of a grand and open space. This building has no major columns to get in the way, so it's perfect." The new StarStruck will join Martin County's two other theatrical centers, the Lyric and its smaller sister venue, the Flagler Center. The Barn Theatre, Martin County's oldest theater, produces its own shows and is not a rental. StarStruck's stage will have seating for about 180, and its stage will be 32 feet wide and 39 feet deep, measuring slightly bigger than the Lyric and Flagler Center stages. StarStruck has trained hundreds of students with interests in the arts. Several graduates of their arts programs are now in top theatre and dancing schools, including Carnegie Mellon. Last year, a former Starstruck student starred in the Broadway show "In the Heights." The new StarStruck location is expected to open with the program's summer classes on June 13. Its grand opening party will be in late fall. "We are beyond excited," Jones said. "We are very proud to be able to perform on a stage that will be created by years of support from an amazing community like Stuart."

STARSTRUCK FINDS A STAGE TO CALL IT'S OWN

By Zaimarie De Guzman - May 26, 2011

When Jennifer and Peter Jones opened Stuart's StarStruck performing arts program 12 years ago, they were content with the 45 students they had recruited for their first summer in business.

Now, with the 250 arts enthusiasts enrolled in the center each semester, the Jones' have found a need to expand.

Last week, the couple announced plans to move StarStruck from the current 4,700-square-foot building to a 12,000-square-foot facility that will include two classrooms, three studios, three offices, a dressing room — and a theater.

Without their own stage, StarStruck performers mostly have used The Lyric Theatre as a venue for big production shows.

"We thought it was about time to give Starstruck families and clientele our own theater," Jennifer Jones said.

"We also were getting a lot of calls from local companies without big budgets that couldn't afford to rent at places like the Lyric," Jones added. "They didn't want to go all the way to West Palm Beach, and they didn't want to perform at local high schools. There has been a huge need for a more affordable venue in the community."

Lyric executive director John Loesser said renters usually pay 20 percent of their sales, assuming they fill the theater's 500 seats.

"We definitely are in, if not under, industry standards when it comes to pricing, but I understand that many can't do their theatrical shows with us because it's not in their economic system," Loesser said. "I think the Starstruck theater would be good for smaller shows and high school shows, and I wish them luck."

Jones and her husband spent three years searching for a building, finally choosing to rent space at the building also inhabited by the Palm Beach Post on Kanner Highway in Stuart.

"We knew that was the right place because the shell of the building is a warehouse," Jones said. "When you think of a theater, you think of a grand and open space. This building has no major columns to get in the way, so it's perfect."

The new StarStruck will join Martin County's two other theatrical centers, the Lyric and its smaller sister venue, the Flagler Center. The Barn Theatre, Martin County's oldest theater, produces its own shows and is not a rental.

StarStruck's stage will have seating for about 180, and its stage will be 32 feet wide and 39 feet deep, measuring slightly bigger than the Lyric and Flagler Center stages.

StarStruck has trained hundreds of students with interests in the arts. Several graduates of their arts programs are now in top theatre and dancing schools, including Carnegie Mellon. Last year, a former Starstruck student starred in the Broadway show "In the Heights."

The new StarStruck location is expected to open with the program's summer classes on June 13. Its grand opening party will be in late fall.

"We are beyond excited," Jones said. "We are very proud to be able to perform on a stage that will be created by years of support from an amazing community like Stuart."

	*StarStruck takes a gamble at the Barn with 'Guys & Dolls Jr.'*
TC Palm - April 27, 2011
	STUART — StarStruck Performing Arts Center will present their adorable Rising Stars in the classic musical comedy "Guys & Dolls Jr." This timeless Broadway score features hits such as "Luck Be A Lady" and "A Bushel and A Peck." This show will be performed by StarStruck's musical theatre students who range in age from 7-13 years old. It is a perfect show to bring your family of all ages. There is no intermission…the show runs about 65 minutes. The cast is professionally trained at Stuart’s premier studio, StarStruck, which has won national awards in the performing arts. Celebrities such as Laura Bell Bundy ("Legally Blonde") and Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked") have worked with directors, Jennifer and Peter Jones on various projects right here in Stuart. Don’t miss this adorable and funny show! For ticket info, call StarStruck at 772-283-2313

StarStruck takes a gamble at the Barn with 'Guys & Dolls Jr.'

TC Palm - April 27, 2011

STUART — StarStruck Performing Arts Center will present their adorable Rising Stars in the classic musical comedy "Guys & Dolls Jr." This timeless Broadway score features hits such as "Luck Be A Lady" and "A Bushel and A Peck."

This show will be performed by StarStruck's musical theatre students who range in age from 7-13 years old. It is a perfect show to bring your family of all ages. There is no intermission…the show runs about 65 minutes. The cast is professionally trained at Stuart’s premier studio, StarStruck, which has won national awards in the performing arts. Celebrities such as Laura Bell Bundy ("Legally Blonde") and Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked") have worked with directors, Jennifer and Peter Jones on various projects right here in Stuart.

Don’t miss this adorable and funny show! For ticket info, call StarStruck at 772-283-2313