From Tay-Tay to Christmas: Star Struck embraces the love

The 2024 edition of the musical and drama showcase will feature something for everybody.

A man and two small girls in costume. A man and two small girls in costume.
Image: The theme for Star Struck 2024 is 'Love it'. More than 3500 public school students from Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast will participate in the event.

Newcastle Entertainment Centre will come alive over the next two days as thousands of students from across the Hunter and Central Coast regions hit the stage for Star Struck 2024.

The 32nd edition of the musical and drama extravaganza will feature 3500 students from 130 schools across four shows on Friday and Saturday.

Operations manager Casey Smith said Star Struck 2024 was all about love.

“The theme is ‘Love it’, which encompasses all the songs and things we love,” she said.

“Over the years as we create shows there are always songs or ideas that we love that don’t make the cut.

“We have kept a list of these songs and ideas and decided 2024 was the year to do that show, with all the things we love in it.”

A singer on stage dressed in costume with other performers. A singer on stage dressed in costume with other performers.
Image: Christmas is one of the themes that will be celebrated as part of this year's show.

Ms Smith said this year’s show would again have something for everyone, with more than 250 featured performers, an orchestra and mass choir.

“The show is a journey that takes us through storybook tales, star-crossed lovers, love and love, family, connection and some absolute showstoppers,” she said.

“The songs are bangers, and the different segments are fun. We even have Christmas in there.

“This year we are embracing our Taylor Swift era, and students are making bracelets with their item names on them to trade with other students during show week.”

Students in black with their backs turned outside a building. Students in black with their backs turned outside a building.
Image: Newcastle Entertainment Centre will host four performances across Friday and Saturday.

There are more than 500 teachers and school staff involved in Star Struck.

Ms Smith said it was a mammoth task to pull the show together each year.

“The Star Struck staff all work on the show in a voluntary capacity in addition to their teaching loads,” she said.

“It’s their passion and commitment that is the driving force behind the show. Their talents and creativity are phenomenal.”

Tickets are still available for three of the four Star Struck 2024 shows, with Saturday night’s performance sold out. Visit Ticketek for more information and to book.

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