The Magical Journey of StarStruck:

In January 2000, the community of Stuart was crying out for high quality musical theatre performance and education. StarStruck owners Jennifer and Peter Jones responded to the call. At the time, the duo (and their team of actors) was known as Peter Jones Entertainment. They mounted their first show that summer featuring children in GUYS AND DOLLS Jr., and their thrilling journey began.  At the close of that first show, the students and families immediately wanted more than “just” an annual summer production. So in December, 2000 the duo created BROADWAY KIDS (a musical compilation of Broadway show tunes featuring various composers), Jennifer offered acting classes and Peter continued to teach private voice and piano lessons. This creative snowball continued its roll uphill and more productions followed: BYE BYE BIRDIE, PETER JONES AND FRIENDS, DUETS, CABARET and CHICAGO.

Rehearsals were held at Peter’s Palm City studio (~650 square feet) and at friend’s local dances studios. The need for their own rehearsal and classroom space became increasingly apparent. Hence, TheatreLoft was born – an 1800 square foot studio on the second floor of a Monterey Road storefront. More classes were added – dance classes, acting classes, musical theatre classes. More shows were produced – FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GUYS & DOLLS, GREASE, LES MISERABLES, OKLAHOMA, ANNIE.

Within three years Peter Jones Entertainment had outgrown TheatreLoft and moved once again to a 4800 square foot location in downtown Stuart. With the move came the change of company name from Peter Jones Entertainment to the theatrical catch phrase, “StarStruck.” Class offerings increased to meet local demands, more teachers were hired, and more shows were produced. It was at this time that StarStruck flew to Atlanta with 32 students to attend the Music Theatre International (MTI) conference. StarStruck presented a 15 minute musical performance of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Jr. and swept all of the top awards, thus establishing StarStruck’s exciting relationship with MTI-the world’s largest theatrical licensing firm.  StarStruck became a “pilot school” for MTI and continues to work in tandem with composers and book writers to help create “junior” and “school editions” of MTI’s catalogue of musicals. These not-yet-released shows created an incredible opportunity for StarStruck’s students to present World Premieres of very popular titles such as RENT School Edition, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Jr., SWEENEY TODD School Edition, DR. DOLITTLE Jr., AVENUE Q School Edition and most recently Stephen Schwartz’s MY SON, PINNOCHIO.

Students that study at StarStruck come from as far as Palm Beach, Vero Beach, Okeechobee and Boynton Beach to experience a StarStruck arts education. Under the direction of Jennifer and Peter Jones and their wonderful faculty, the students are expected to adhere to the same standards as professional adults in the industry. These values--the concept of art as a discipline, understanding commitment and responsibility, and maintaining a strong work ethic- is what makes a StarStruck production unusual. From the classroom, to the rehearsal room, to the final performance on stage, the level of expectation for all involved is unique and unparalleled. Whether it is a professional production or a student production, audiences for 12 years have raved about the excellence and professionalism of a StarStruck show.

After 11 years of StarStruck’s adult professionals and students performing at various venues and winning numerous awards, it was obvious that they were in need of their own performance space.

Beginning May 2011, construction began on StarStruck’s new home at 2101 South Kanner Highway. This 25,000 square foot building with its high ceilings and ideal location made it the perfect abode for a Theatre and Performing Arts Center. This new facility boasts dance studios with state-of-the-art flooring, classrooms, private music studios, a theatre, a dazzling lobby, performer‘s dressing rooms, and a backstage production area for set building, as well as costume, scenery and props storage.

StarStruck is proud to be the Treasure Coast’s newest theatrical venue producing many theatrical productions as well as offering the facility to charitable organizations, music teachers looking for a recital venue, and local corporations looking for space to hold their annual meetings, special award’s events, conduct power point presentations for 20 to 200 people or host their annual holiday party. In just the first 8 weeks of opening its doors, StarStruck donated their Performing Arts Center to the Martin County Arts Council, Stuart’s Dancin’ in the Streets dance groups, and the American Cancer Society. StarStruck also hosted a first time reading of a new musical by up-and-coming NY playwright/composer, Santino DeAngelo sponsored by Broadway Producer, Robert Eckert, Tony Award winner for MEMPHIS.

Got Talent? This is a question StarStruck has been asking since 2000. Yes, StarStruck thinks everybody has talent. It’s simply a question of tapping into that talent, nurturing that talent and finding a way for each individual to express it. The legacy that began with a fun summer show continues to grow. Whether you are in the show or in the audience, StarStruck is in the moment…committed to bringing innovative theater to the Treasure Coast, inviting new emerging artists to share their work and educating the community to be culturally aware and artistically involved.