Young performers showcased Saturday at New Castle Playhouse

Louise Carroll
·2 min read

NEW CASTLE – The Shining Stars and the Stars of Tomorrow will light up the New Castle Playhouse stage on Saturday.

For 26 years, the Stars of Tomorrow" has been showcasing the best of the best young talent, and the "Shining Stars" is celebrating three years of giving younger performers the valuable opportunity to perform on the big stage.

Madison Burlett is performing Saturday at New Castle Playhouse in "Shining Stars of Tomorrow."
Madison Burlett is performing Saturday at New Castle Playhouse in "Shining Stars of Tomorrow."

Because there are so many potential stars there are two shows. Amee Boughter is the director of the Shining Stars, the 2 p.m. show, which is kindergarten up to eighth grade, and Justin Bryan is the director of Stars of Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., which is students in high school.

Both shows are variety shows with singers performing classic, pop and country, dancers performing tap, ballet and lyrical, and musicians and comedians.

Boughter said there are about 30 young people including younger members of the NCP Mini Stars, created by Vaughn Hudspath in 2002, and more than 40 young people in the Stars of Tomorrow show.

Rocco Siok will perform Saturday at New Castle Playhouse in "Shining Stars of Tomorrow."
Rocco Siok will perform Saturday at New Castle Playhouse in "Shining Stars of Tomorrow."

Former Stars of Tomorrow performers, twin brothers Chase and Isaac Powell, are the master of ceremonies hosting the show.

Boughter said every young person brings their unique talent to the stage including Ashley Marina, who appeared on "America's Got Talent," and Kinsley Shimrock, Distinguished Young Woman of Lawrence County 2023, doing a ballet variation.

Bryan is the master of ceremonies for the Stars of Tomorrow which will also feature performances by New Castle Regional Ballet Company, Jennifer Leigh's and Ludovici dance studios. The All Star Jazz Band under the direction of Dr. Thomas Zumpella will perform. Zumpella personally visits all the Lawrence County schools and selects the instrumentalists for the show.

Jennifer Leigh's Dance Studio will perform Saturday at New Castle Playhouse as part of "Stars of Tomorrow."
Jennifer Leigh's Dance Studio will perform Saturday at New Castle Playhouse as part of "Stars of Tomorrow."

The Stars of Tomorrow is not a competition; it is a venue for young stars to showcase their talents and all participants are chosen by audition.

Lena Grossman is performing Saturday at New Castle Playhouse in "Stars of Tomorrow."
Lena Grossman is performing Saturday at New Castle Playhouse in "Stars of Tomorrow."

Each year a scholarship award is given to the student with the highest SAT score and scholarships awards are given to the NCP Mini Stars who are seniors.

What: "Stars of Tomorrow" and "Shining Stars"

Where: New Castle Playhouse, 202 E. Long Ave., New Castle

When: Jan. 7, 2 p.m. Shining Stars of Tomorrow (youth up to 8th grade; 7:30 p.m. Stars of Tomorrow (youth in high school)

Admission: Tickets, $16. For reservations, call (724) 654-3437 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Information: 724-654-3437; www.newcastleplayhouse.org online; email office@newcastleplayhouse.org

This article originally appeared on Ellwood City Ledger: Stars of tomorrow show their skills Saturday on New Castle stage