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.