About StageStruck

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
October, 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 eighteen years 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.  In the
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 seven high school
students who performed in the community and represented StageStruck’s mission.
StageStruck’s mission remains the same, though recent years rewritten:  “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.