StageStruck: The Young People's Own Theatre
StageStruck's mission: to encourage young people's knowledge of, interest in, and participation in the theatrical performing arts.
StageStruck is an affiliate of the Arts Council of Wayne County and a member of the American Association of Community Theatre. We receive some funding each year from the N.C. Arts Council, but are otherwise supported by the community in ticket sales, grants and sponsorships. StageStruck continues to be a parent-run organization with a Board of Trustees and a growing membership in Wayne and surrounding counties. StageStruck is a 501(c)3 organization.
StageStruck, The Beginning
In May 1990, the Community Arts Council (now known as Arts Council of Wayne County) asked for volunteers to establish a theatre group for children. Seven people attended an organizational meeting. This small group defined its mission: to provide the youth of Wayne County an opportunity to explore and to experience different aspects of the theatre.
The name StageStruck: The Young People's Own Theatre was adopted. The initial group of seven grew overnight into an army of actors, parents and friends who organized the first production, Annie. Over 100 children had the opportunity to perform on a stage. Peter Pan in March 1992 was chosen as the second production. StageStruck contracted with a professional flying team Flying by Foy, to fly the cast.
At the end of its second successful season, new officers continued to develop the organization and to look for ways to provide workshops and small productions in the regular season. The play for 1993, Oliver!, featured a cast of 85 Wayne County children. Music Man in March 1994 had a cast of 90.
In April 1993, Missoula Children's Theatre, a professional troupe, spent a week in Goldsboro leading workshops and rehearsing culminating in three performances of Beauty Lou & the Country Beast. Missoula Children's Theatre returned in 1993 to direct Jack & the Beanstalk, in 1994 Cinderella, and in 1995 Snow White.
In the summer of 1993 StageStruck, in conjunction with the N.C. Theatre, held a Summer Theatre Arts Program (STAP). The program consisted of four weeks of workshops combined with rehearsals led by professional theatre personnel. Five performances of The Sound of Music were held. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was chosen as the second STAP.
That's the beginning of StageStruck.
Currently, we offer five productions each year. "STARS" has replaced "STAP" each June for 1st through 6th grade students, and we offer intense theatrical workshops in July for the older students. We continue to host Missoula Children's Theatre annually in April. Each fall, StageStruck offers a non-musical literature-based production with a smaller cast, such as Velveteen Rabbit. In March each year, StageStruck continues its tradition of performing large-cast musicals, such as Beauty and the Beast. StageStruck recently formed its Traveling Troupe, a group of eight high school students who perform in the community and represent StageStruck's mission.
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