The countdown is on.
Star Struck 2026 – Out of the Ordinary will burst onto the stage at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on 12 and 13 June, bringing together more than 4,500 NSW public school students for the Hunter and Central Coast region’s iconic performing arts events.
A major production milestone begins this week, with thousands of students to come together on the arena floor for the first time for the combined dance and drama rehearsals on Thursday 21 May and Friday 22 May.
Now in its 34th year, Star Struck continues to showcase the extraordinary talent, creativity and collaboration of NSW public school students, with over 4,500 students from more than 150 schools across Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast involved in this year’s production.
This year’s production promises to be bigger, bolder and more spectacular than ever, with massed dance, drama, featured vocalists, a live student orchestra, rock band and hundreds of Aboriginal dancers across both casts sharing culture, storytelling and connection through movement.
The theme Out of the Ordinary, celebrates individuality, imagination, courage and creativity, encouraging students and audiences alike to embrace what makes them unique. Through large-scale dance numbers, powerful drama, featured vocal performances and a full live orchestra, the production promises an unforgettable arena spectacular.
The Star Struck Mass Choir will hold its next major rehearsal on Friday 5 June at the Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre, bringing together hundreds of student voices ahead of show week.
The highly anticipated Sitzprobe rehearsal will follow on Saturday 6 June at Warners Bay High School, uniting the full student orchestra, rock band and vocal team for the first time.
Star Struck is again proud to welcome internationally renowned conductor George Ellis as conductor of the Star Struck Orchestra. One of Australia’s most celebrated conductors and composers, George brings extensive experience across symphonic music, opera, musical theatre, jazz and contemporary performance, offering students an extraordinary professional learning opportunity.
Star Struck Operations Manager Casey Smith said Star Struck remains a powerful celebration of public education and the arts, providing opportunities for students of all experience levels, from those stepping onto a stage for the first time through to highly accomplished young performers extending themselves beyond the classroom.
“We are igniting high potential and gifted education in so many ways through Star Struck,” Ms Smith said.
“For many students, Star Struck is far more than a performance opportunity, it is a chance to build confidence, friendships, creativity and a lifelong connection to the arts.
“The production would not be possible without the incredible support of schools, teachers, families, volunteers and sponsors.”
Tickets available through Ticketek Australia and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre website but get in quick. Demand for this year’s production has been extraordinary, with the Saturday evening performance already sold out.
Star Struck is proudly presented by the NSW Department of Education and supported by major sponsor Glencore.
Additional support is provided by Platinum Sponsor NSW Teachers Federation; Gold Sponsors Newcastle School Portraits and Kinetic Creations; Bronze Sponsors Wests and Hunter Manufacturing Awards; Megastar Sponsors Cappuccino Monkey, Mango Shake, Cabarrus International and Dantza Abesti; and Product Sponsors Perry on Parry, Traffic Plan Professionals and Lake Macquarie Dance Academy.
Media partners include NewFM, 2HD, Newcastle Weekly, Newcastle Herald and Graphika.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
Media are invited to attend combined rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances. Interview, photography and rehearsal access opportunities available.
Combined dance and drama rehearsals:
Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre
Thursday 21 May and Friday 22 May
Star Struck Mass Choir major rehearsal:
Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre
Friday 5 June – 9:00am to 2:00pm
Tech and dress rehearsals:
Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Wednesday 10 June – 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Cast A
Thursday 11 June – 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Cast B
Final performances will take place on:
Friday 12 June – 11:00am and 7:00pm
Saturday 13 June – 1:00pm and 7:00pm
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
- Abermain Public School
- Adamstown Public School
- Anna Bay Public School
- Argenton Public School
- Ashtonfield Public School
- Barnsley Public School
- Belair Public Schol
- Belmont High School
- Belmont North Public School
- Belmont Public School
- Berkeley Vale Public School
- Biddabah Public School
- Blackalls Park Public School
- Blacksmiths Public School
- Bolwarra Public School
- Bonnells Bay Public School
- Booragul Public School
- Branxton Public School
- Brooklyn Public School
- Budgewoi Public School
- Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus
- Callaghan College Wallsend Campus
- Callaghan College Waratah Campus
- Cardiff High School
- Cardiff South Public School
- Carrington Public School
- Caves Beach Public School
- Central Mangrove Public School
- Cessnock East Public School
- Cessnock High School
- Cessnock West PS
- Charlestown East Public School
- Charlestown Public School
- Charlestown South Public School
- Clarence Town Public School
- Coal Point Public School
- Cooranbong Public School
- Denman Public School
- Dora Creek Public School
- Dungog High School
- East Maitland Public School
- Edgeworth Public School
- Elemore Vale Public School
- Ellalong Public School
- Fassifern Public School
- Fern Bay Public School
- Francis Greenway High School
- Garden Suburb Public School
- Gillieston Public School
- Glendale East Public School
- Glendale Technology High School
- Gorokan Public School
- Greta Public School
- Gwandalan Public School
- Hamilton North Public School
- Hillsborough Public School
- Hinton Public School
- Hunter River Community School
- Hunter River High School
- Hunter School of the Performing Arts - Primary
- Hunter School of the Performing Arts - Secondary
- Hunter Signing Choir
- Hunter Sports High School
- Hunter Trebles
- Irrawang High School
- Islington Public School
- Jesmond Public School
- Jewells Primary School
- John Hunter Hospital School
- Kahibah Public School
- King Street Public School
- Kirkton Public School
- Kotara High School
- Kotara South Public School
- Kurri Kurri High School
- Kurri Kurri Public School
- Lake Macquarie High School
- Lambton High School
- Lambton Public School
- Lisarow High School
- Maitland High School
- Maitland Public School
- Mannering Park Public School
- Marks Point Public School
- Medowie Public School
- Merewether Heights Public School
- Merewether Public School
- Merriwa Central School - Primary & secondary
- Metford Public School
- Minmi Public School
- Morisset High School
- Morisset Primary School
- Morpeth Public School
- Mount Pleasant Public School
- Mount view high school
- Muswellbrook South PS
- Narara Valley High School
- New Lambton Public School
- New Lambton South Public School
- Newcastle East Public School
- Newcastle High School
- Nords Wharf PS
- Northlakes High School
- Northlakes Public School
- Nulkaba Public School
- Paxton Public School
- Pelaw Main Public School
- Pelican Flat Public School
- Plattsburg Public School
- Rathmines Public School
- Redhead Public School
- Rutherford Technology High School
- Scone Public School
- Shoal Bay Public School
- Shortland Public School
- Singleton Heights Public School
- Singleton High School
- Soldiers Point Public School
- Swansea High School
- Swansea Public School
- Tanilba Bay Public School
- Tarro Public School
- Telarah Public School
- Terrigal High School
- Terrigal Public School
- The Junction Public School
- Thornton Public School
- TLSC Berkeley Vale Campus
- Tomaree High School
- Tomaree Public School
- Toronto High School
- Vacy Public School
- Wadalaba Community School
- Wallsend Public School
- Wallsend South Public School
- Wamberal Public School
- Wangi Wangi Public School
- Waratah West Public School
- Warners Bay High School
- Warners Bay Public School
- West Wallsend High School
- Whitebridge High School
- Windale Public School
- Wirreanda Public School
- Wyee Public School.
Contact details:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Casey Smith
Star Struck Operations Manager
[email protected]
0414 443 948