We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our community! Bright Star Touring Theatre  welcomed back our founder, David Ostergaard, who has returned to lead the company with renewed energy and vision. Under his guidance, we are making significant enhancements that will elevate our performances and broaden our impact.

A Visionary Leader Returns

David Ostergaard’s passion for theatre and education has always been the heartbeat of Bright Star Touring Theatre. As the founder, he established our mission to bring quality, educational, and entertaining productions to schools and communities nationwide. His return marks a new chapter filled with innovation, creativity, and dedication to our core values.

Enhancements Under David’s Leadership

David’s return has already brought about several positive changes, setting the stage for an extraordinary year ahead:

1. Expanded Show Lineup

This year, we are proud to present 51 captivating shows, including new additions that explore Black History, science, STEM, literary classics, and holiday themes. Each production is thoughtfully crafted to inspire and educate young audiences. David immediately set about rewriting shows (Bienvenidos, Cherokee Tales, FrankenSTEM & More), bringing back audience interaction that was removed during the COVID era that’s long been one of the high points of any Bright Star Show and so much more! 

2. Enhanced Educational Content

We have enriched our educational materials to complement our performances. Study guides have been expanded and classroom activities have been enhanced.

3. Invigorated Productions

David’s creative vision has led to the development of new productions with a high emphasis on production quality. David’s first order of business was purging pre-bought costumes and ordering sets to be repainted. We are elevating the production qualities that audiences had come to expect with Bright Star shows. 

4. Strengthened Community Engagement

We believe in the power of theatre to bring communities together. David is excited to announce a partnership in the coming days that will allows audiences across the three states access to energy efficiency shows that are completely free to the school. 

Join Us for an Unforgettable School Year

With David Ostergaard at the helm, Bright Star Touring Theatre is poised for an unforgettable school year. We invite schools, educators, and communities to join us on this exciting journey. Together, we will inspire, educate, and entertain, making a lasting impact on the next generation.

Stay tuned for updates on our performances, educational programs, and community events. Let’s make this school year the best one yet!

Two new shows this fall are especially energizing the company.  

Winnie-the-Pooh: This show is especially geared for younger grades. This 45-minute production brings to life all your favorite characters from The Hundred Acre Wood.  Follow Pooh along an unforgettable journey as he meets up with his friends and finds himself in adventure after adventure straight from the classic book! 

Peter Pan: Our comic duo Lenny and Mabel, are returning to the stage once more! For their rendition of Peter Pan.  The Lost Boys, Captain Hook, Nana the dog, Wendy and Peter….all come together for a swashbuckling adventure that blends big laughs with heartfelt messaging. This production is going to be a favorite among audiences everywhere!

At Bright Star Theatre, we believe in the transformative power of live theatre. As the new school year kicks off, we’re excited to bring our unique blend of education and entertainment to schools and communities nationwide. Here are ten compelling reasons to book Bright Star Theatre for your next event or school program this season.

1. Engaging and Educational Performances

Our shows are designed to captivate young audiences while providing valuable educational content. From historical figures to literary classics, each performance is a learning adventure that sparks curiosity and imagination.

2. Diverse Show Lineup

With 51 shows hitting the road this year, we offer a wide variety of performances covering topics such as Black History, science, STEM, literary classics, and holiday themes. There’s something for everyone!

3. Experienced Performers

Our talented actors are not only skilled in their craft but also passionate about education. They bring energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism to every performance, creating memorable experiences for students and teachers alike. This season we will watch over 1250 actors audition for our season of shows.

4. Interactive and Immersive Experiences

We believe that learning is most effective when it’s interactive. Many of our shows include opportunities for audience participation, ensuring that students are actively engaged and invested in the story.

5. Tailored Educational Materials

Each of our performances comes with a suite of educational resources, including lesson plans, activity guides, and discussion questions. These materials help teachers extend the learning experience beyond the stage and into the classroom.

6. Affordable Pricing, Professional shows 

We are committed to providing programs at the best possible prices.  For audiences less than 450 miles away from Raleigh, NC we have removed all travel fees.  We’re actively enhancing our production expectations and working with actors on all aspects of their interactions from the audience to the time they have with our sponsors. 

7. Convenient and Flexible Booking

We understand the challenges of planning school events, which is why we offer flexible booking options to fit your schedule. Our team works with you to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience from start to finish.

8. Proven Track Record

With years of experience and countless performances under our belt, Bright Star Theatre has a proven track record of delivering high-quality shows that educators and students love. Our reputation speaks for itself!

9. Community Building

Our performances are more than just shows—they’re community events. We offer opportunities for post-show discussions, workshops, and special events that bring people together and foster a sense of community.

10. Passion for Theatre and Education

At the heart of Bright Star Theatre is a deep passion for theatre and education. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on young minds and helping students discover the joy of learning through the arts.

Book Bright Star Theatre Today!

Don’t miss the chance to bring the magic of live theatre to your school or community this season. Contact us today to learn more about our shows, booking options, and how we can create an unforgettable experience for your students.

At Bright Star Theatre, we’re passionate about nurturing the next generation of performers, storytellers, and creative minds. This summer, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new production-based theatre camps, offering young aspiring actors an immersive and transformative theatrical experience. Our camps are structured into four unique programs, each designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of different aspects of theatre production.

Camp 1: Create Your Own Showcase

In our first camp, campers will experience the magic of creating a showcase entirely from scratch. This program allows young people to dive into every aspect of theatre production, from writing the script to designing the sets, creating costumes, and directing scenes. Participants will collaborate to develop their original production, gaining hands-on experience in:

• Scriptwriting: Crafting engaging dialogues and storylines.
• Directing: Bringing their vision to life on stage.
• Acting: Developing characters and honing performance skills.
• Set and Costume Design: Creating the visual elements of their show.

This camp is perfect for budding theatre enthusiasts who want to explore all facets of production and unleash their creativity in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Camp 2: Our Adventure in American History

Our second camp invites students to mount a production called “Our Adventure in American History.” This camp combines education with entertainment, as campers delve into significant moments and figures in American history. Participants will:

• Explore Historical Events: Bringing key moments in history to life through performance.
• Character Development: Portraying historical figures with authenticity and depth and lots of laughter.
• Collaborative Production: Working together to create a cohesive and informative show.

Through this camp, students will gain a deeper appreciation for American history while enhancing their theatrical skills.

Camp 3: Once Upon a Fairy Tale

In our third camp, “Once Upon a Fairy Tale,” campers will step into the magical world of fairy tales. This enchanting program focuses on classic stories, allowing participants to:

• Adapt Fairy Tales: Bringing beloved stories to the stage with a fresh twist.
• Creative Expression: Using their imagination to enhance traditional narratives.
• Performance Skills: Developing their acting and storytelling abilities.

This camp is designed to inspire creativity and wonder, encouraging young actors to explore the timeless appeal of fairy tales.

Camp 4: Black History A to Z

Our fourth camp, “Black History A to Z,” celebrates the rich and diverse contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Campers will:

• Study Influential Figures: Learning about significant Black leaders, artists, scientists, and more.
• Create Biographical Performances: Bringing the stories of these individuals to life on stage.
• Cultural Appreciation: Gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture.

This camp aims to educate and inspire, providing a platform for young actors to explore important cultural narratives.

Learning from the Pros

Our camps are led by experienced theatre professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table. These mentors guide the campers through each step of the production process, offering insights and feedback that help them grow as performers and creators. By learning from those who have real-world experience in the industry, campers gain valuable skills and a deeper appreciation for the art of theatre.

Building Confidence and Teamwork

Theatre is a collaborative art form, and our production-based camps emphasize the importance of teamwork. Campers work together to overcome challenges, solve problems, and create something truly special. This collaborative environment fosters a sense of community and belonging, helping each camper build confidence in their abilities both on and off the stage.

The Grand Finale

The highlight of each camp is the final performance, where campers showcase their hard work and creativity to family and friends. This culminating event is a celebration of their journey, a chance for them to shine in the spotlight and share the magic they’ve created. The pride and joy seen on the faces of our young performers are what make these camps so special.

Book Your Camp Today! 

We invite you to join us at Bright Star Theatre’s new production-based camps. Whether your young students are budding actors, future directors, or creative minds eager to explore the world of theatre, our camps offer a unique and enriching experience. Enroll today and watch as your child’s creativity, confidence, and love for the arts blossom.

At Bright Star Theatre, we’re not just putting on a show—we’re inspiring the stars of tomorrow. Let the journey begin!

In the idyllic islands of Turks and Caicos, where pristine beaches meet azure waters, a different kind of magic has been unfolding. This time, it’s not the breathtaking sunsets or the swaying palm trees but the captivating performances of Bright Star Touring Theatre that have been capturing hearts and sparking imaginations.

A Theatrical Voyage

Bright Star Touring Theatre, renowned for its engaging and educational productions, has embarked on a unique journey, bringing the enchantment of live theater to young audiences across the island—providing many young people with their first experience of theatre. 

Stories That Transcend

With a repertoire that ranges from classic fairy tales to historical dramas, Bright Star Touring Theatre has something for everyone. Their performances are crafted to educate and inspire, making them perfect for audiences of all ages. Whether it’s the timeless tales of Cinderella or the thought-provoking narratives of historical figures, each performance is a testament to the power of storytelling.

Educational Impact

One of the most significant aspects of Bright Star Touring Theatre’s visit is its educational impact. The productions are designed to be interactive, engaging young audiences in ways that textbooks often cannot. By bringing historical figures and literary characters to life, the theater company offers an immersive learning experience that encourages curiosity and a love for the arts.

Available Worldwide

Bright Star Shows are available worldwide and across the country.  Connect with us today to discover our residencies, camps and performance options. 

We are so grateful for this opportunity to serve these communities and we hope our visit inspires these young audiences for a lifetime of engagement with the arts.

One of the most important things we do at Bright Star, is help students learn how to develop healthy relationships and comabat bullying. It has been a part of our mission from the very beginning and now we are in our 20th year of presenting shows that help students learn to identify and confront bullying wherever they find it.

A school assembly with Bright Star can be the perfect way to introduce important Social -Emotional Learning topics including bullying, online safety, positive attention, cultural awareness and so much more! If it is part of your mission to help students navigate a complicated world filled with difficult relationships and emotions, then Bright Star wants to bring one of our shows to YOU!

Bright Star has a number of shows and programs that can infuse your Social-Emotional Learning and Bully Prevention programming with the power of theatre! October is national Bully Prevention month. All of Bright Star’s shows have a strong character education component, helping students make sense of the larger world, understand other cultures, and learn to navigate tricky social situations. Check out our Fall Tours below!

Fall Tour 1

Turkey Trouble on Friendly Acres Farm

Everything has been so wonderful down on Friendly Acres Farm, that is, until a bullying turkey starts picking on the other farm animals and making life harder for everyone. Farmer Jim and his faithful dog must stop this bullying bird to save Friendly Acres.

Little Red and the Big Bully Wolf

The woods are scary enough without having to worry about a big bully howling in the shadows! Follow Little Red and meet her friends – the three little pigs, the Gingerbread Man, and more – as they learn to face their fears and stand up to the Big Bully Wolf! Learn to identify, report and resist bullying and develop healthy friendships as we follow Little Red on her journey to grandma’s house. Funny, dramatic, and highly entertaining!

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

One of the first true classics of American literature, this is an authentic retelling of Washington Irving’s story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman! When Ichabod Crane takes a new job as schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow, he was expecting to have a simple life, but things get complicated very quickly! This tale is just spooky enough to delight any audience as the days get shorter, the air gets colder, and the nights turn long and dark. A perfect introduction to this literary classic.

Fall Tour 2

The Lady of Bullyburg

The Lady of Bullyburg is our longest running bully prevention production because it has been heralded by educators and librarians for its power to change lives through lessons of friendship and kindness. Join Lady Kindness as she saves her town from a visiting bully while learning a variety of empowering tools along the way. A fairy tale that helps young audiences learn that a world built on kindness is not just a fantasy!

Maximus Mars

In a world where technology and society are changing at the speed of light, our hero, Maximus Mars, stands ready to challenge bullies wherever they may be found – in real life, online, or out of this world! Maximus Mars: An Intergalactic Bully Prevention Adventure stretches the imagination while exploring the challenges that students in middle grades face in the modern world – cyberbullying, electronic media, texting and more. Students need practical strategies for dealing with today’s pressures and Maximus Mars addresses those challenges in a direct and creative way.

A Tell-Tale Tale: The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

No one tells a story quite like the Great Edgar Allan Poe! In A Tell-Tale Tale these spooky and clever stories and poems come to life before your very eyes. With a mastery of language that few can match, Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems are as impactful today as they were in the 19th century when they were written. This show blends rich language with expert storytelling to produce a rich language arts experience for middle grades. Stories include “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “The Bells” and more!

Fall Tour 3

Captain Friendship

Captain Friendship is our super fun, super impactful, superhero themed bully prevention circus adventure! There’s trouble under the big top as the Bully Bandit has struck fear in the hearts of all the performers. It’s up to one superhero to stand up and make a difference – Captain Friendship! Audiences learn to stand up to the Bully Bandit and find that kindness is the ultimate super-power!

FrankenSTEM

Dr. Frank N. Stein is one of the world’s most famous scientists. Along with his trusty assistant, Igor, Dr. Stein has created some of the world’s most amazing inventions! But those inventions would be nothing without YOUR imagination. It will take Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to make his latest masterpiece come to life! This show helps students learn why STEM subjects are so important to the modern world while opening up an exciting world of STEM discovery. Back by popular demand, see why audiences made this our most popular STEM show ever!

Friend Request

A series of fun and informative vignettes, Friend Request explores the good and bad parts of social media and online culture. Technology can be great, but it also comes with some serious temptations and pitfalls. This quirky show gives your audience practical ways to address issues like cyberbullying, online safety, and understanding how to have positive relationships with friends both online and in real life.

Wouldn’t it be great to have next year’s school assemblies planned before summer break?

Bright Star has incredible year round programming but we’re hoping to get a jump on fall as we plan for next year, so we’re running a special for the month of May.

Book an in-person show for Fall and get $50 off!
Book a show for Fall and any other season (Holiday, Winter, Spring, Summer) and get $50 off each booking.
You can also get $50 off a virtual show by ALSO booking an in-person show for Fall.

This offer is not good with any previous offers and will be only good for the month of May so plan for next Fall now!

TO BOOK:
Call 336.558.7360 or email
booking@brightstartheatre.com

Bright Star is the #1 name in theatrical programming for:

• School Assemblies
• Library Summer Reading Programs
• Theatre Field Trips
• Workshops
• Residencies
• Summer Camps
• Online Programs

This is our 20th anniversary season and we are so excited to share our incredible shows with you. We have new shows, old favorites and year-round programming available Coast to Coast!

PLUS – Book before MAY 1 and get this year’s prices on next year’s shows!

We’ve been hard at work creating video trailers for all 24 of our shows currently available on the Bright Star Super Station.

Check them out on our YouTube Playlist!

Your school or library system can subscribe to the Bright Star Super Station for the entire year! That’s ALL of our videos – including more than a dozen new shows to be added throughout the year!

Pricing: Minimum $1000 (up to 20 classrooms. Additional Classrooms just $50 each.) That’s about $5 per month per classroom!

Visit our YouTube Playlist!

Looking for a Wide Variety of Online Programming?
Subscribe to the Bright Star Super Station!

Bright Star Touring Theatre is one of the nation’s largest and most beloved theatre companies for young audiences and we are very excited to be returning to Live, In-Person Programming this year (visit our website to find out more about that).

However, the crazy year that we’ve all experienced over the last sixteen months has been very challenging, but there are some silver linings. One for Bright Star has been that we have been able to record 24 of our shows!

Pre-recorded shows offer amazing flexibility and with a school subscription to the Bright Star Super Station, your school can have access to all of our pre-recorded shows for one low price!

For $1000 your school can have access to up to 20 classrooms to watch the shows for the entire school year! Plus, additional classrooms are just $50 each! That’s around $2 per show per classroom – and we’re adding more shows all the time so the value is only going to get better! All of our shows come with study guides and are connected to state and national standards which make them a great fit for any school.

Check out the list of pre-recorded shows below:

Bully Prevention and Character Education:
Little Red and The Big Bully Wolf
Captain Friendship and the Pirates of the Pandemic
Friend Request

Black History:
Jackie Robinson
Meet Dr. King
George Washington Carver & Friends (Also STEM)
Let it Shine: American Civil Rights Movement 1955-68
Struggle For Freedom: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

STEM:
FrankenSTEM
Gus Goes Green: A Planet Earth Adventure

History and Social Studies:
We Can Do It: Great Women of History
Story of Anne Frank
USA to Z

Holiday:
A Dickens Tale
Holidays Around the World

Classic Literature:
Aesop’s Fables
Velveteen Rabbit
Once Upon a Time
Happily Ever After
A Tell-Tale Tale: The Stories And Poems Of Edgar Allan Poe
Wizard of Oz
Beauty and the Beast
Alice in Wonderland
Old MacDonald’s Sing-Along Farm

Coming soon:
Sept. 2
-Bullysaurus Rex (K-3)
-Jack’s Adventure in Space (K-8)
-Maximus Mars (3-8)

Sept 27
-Capt. Friendship and the Bully Bandit (K-5)

Nov 15
– Winter Fables (K-6)

Nov 22
-Stone Soup and Other Heartwarming Tales (All Ages)

Jan 10
-Black History Heroes, Soldiers, and Spies (3-8)
-African Folktales (PK-5)
-Freedom Songs ( Grade 4+)

Jan 17
-Rosa Parks and Friends (K-5)
-Black History Hall of Fame (K-8)
-Heroes of the Underground Railroad (grades 3-8)

May 30
-The Pirates of Bully Bay
-Treasure Island (All Ages)
-The Little Mermaid

June 6
-Giants of Science (All Ages)

Bright Star has a show for YOU!

Bright Star Touring Theatre is the nation’s largest touring theatre for young audiences with shows that address Black History, World History and Folklore, Antibullying, Holidays, and more! And we have shows available in two formats.

Pre-recorded shows – for ultimate flexibility (Pricing as low as $50 per classroom with our subscription service, or $250 for a single show!)

Live-In Person Shows – for a classic live theatre experience! (Prices as low as $795 when you book with another school!)

Check out our website: brightstartheatre.com to see all of our available shows!

Email us at booking@brightstartheatre.com to book your show!

For more information call 336.558.7360 or email josh@brightstartheatre.com

• Pre-recorded shows – for ultimate flexibility
• Live-Online Shows – for a unique online experience (or locations that don’t fit our routing).
• Live-In Person Shows – for a classic live theatre experience.

We’re so excited to be back with our amazing school assemblies, drama camps, workshops and residencies!

We can’t wait to be back performing for YOU!

We all know the trauma that bullying can cause. Emotional distress, loss of interest in activities, poor academic performance, absenteeism, and depression are all linked to bullying.

At Bright Star, we know that there isn’t a “magic pill” that can end bullying. It requires organized effort by staff, students and parents alike.

However, we do know that a solid Bully Prevention Assembly can help open the doors to help staff and students understand:

1.) What bullying is (and isn’t)
2.) How to communicate openly about bullying
3.) How to confront and report bullying
4.) How to be resilient if facing bullying

Bright Star has a number of Bully Prevention shows in our line-up for the Fall.
The Fall is a great time to set the tone that bullying won’t be tolerated at your school. Take a look at our Bully Prevention shows and consider making Bright Star a part of your Bully Prevention efforts this year.

Choose from:
The Pirate of Bully Bay
Maximus Mars: An Intergalactic Antibullying Adventure
Bullysaurus Rex
Friend Request: An Online Safety Show
Little Red and the Big Bully Wolf
Bullied
Captain Friendship and the Bully Bandit
The Story of Anne Frank

Bright Star has five amazing Tours heading out next fall! Antibullying shows like The Pirate of Bully Bay, Friend Request: An Online Safety Show, and more! Classic Literature like The Wizard of Oz or A Tell-Tale Tale: The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, and fun STEM shows like
FrankenSTEM, Count Mathula and our brand new show Igor and the Masters of STEM!

Here’s our special offer:

Book one of our Fall shows AND a show from any other time of year (Holidays, Black History, Spring, Summer) before APRIL 15 and receive the following discount:

Schools, theaters and museums get $50 off both bookings!
Libraries get $25 off both bookings!

If you’ve already booked for the fall and would like to add another show to your lineup, you can still get the deal! Just mention this post when you’re booking!

Bright Star Touring Theatre has just the summer adventure for YOU!

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landing!

We are celebrating with a great lineup of space-themed shows:
Maximus Mars
Jack’s Adventure in Space *New show*
One Small Step: The Real-Life Journey to Outer Space! *New show*

But of course that’s not all!
We also have classic stories like The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast,
Once Upon A Time: Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella and more!

Check out our “Out of This World” titles for Summer 2019!

Bright Star Touring Theatre has just the summer adventure for YOU!

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landing!

We are celebrating with a great lineup of space-themed shows:
Maximus Mars
Jack’s Adventure in Space *New show*
One Small Step: The Real-Life Journey to Outer Space! *New show*

But of course that’s not all!
We also have classic stories like The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast,
Once Upon A Time: Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella and more!

Check out our “Out of This World” titles for Summer 2019!

Summer Tour 1:
The Wizard of Oz
Jack’s Adventure In Space
Maximus Mars

Summer Tour 2:
Once Upon a Time
Beauty and the Beast
One Small Step: The Real Life Journey to Outer Space

Summer Tour 3:
Aesop’s Fables
One Small Step
Jack’s Adventure in Space

Summer Tour 4:
Jack’s Adventure in Space
One Small Step
Upcycled Cinderella

Summer Tour 5:
Jack’s Adventure in Space
One Small Step
Little Red and the Big Bully Wolf

And all of our titles for the 2019-20 School Year are also NOW AVAILABLE!
Antibullying, Holidays, Black History, Women’s History, STEM and More!