Stage set for Star Struck to rock the Hunter
Even before she introduces herself, there is the sense that Symphony Riley was born for the stage.
She has been writing her own songs since she was a child - melody first, naturally, and then the lyrics. The song that she will perform during Friday's opening performance at Star Struck is close to her heart.
It is called Forgive But Never Forget. She penned it when she was 13. Now, in her senior year at the Hunter School of Performing Arts, and having performed in Star Struck since she was in Year Six, Symphony is ready to finish her time in the Hunter and Central Coast public schools mega-show with a bang.
Thursday's final dress rehearsal was a bittersweet moment for Symphony and co-star Ruby Edwards. Both senior students have long tenures with the combined school creative arts showcase, which this year is staging over 4200 student performers from the Hunter and Central Coast.
Ruby has been involved since Year 3, first as a dancer and now as a featured vocalist with a special number she will perform with her sister.
Behind the hundreds of dancers, singers and on-stage talent, an army of musicians, tech and crew turns the wheels of each barn-storming number.
"It makes you feel like you're a star," Symphony said. "It's great."
As the pair reflect on the showcase that has punctuated their school years, Ruby and Symphony call it "Christmas in June".
They began rehearsals in December, they said, and by Friday night the fruits of six months of their creative labour will take the stage.
"It feels like an out-of-body experience," Ruby said. "It's not until you come off stage that you think 'Wow'."
Star Struck has been reignited in 2025 as organisers tip this year's performance, including a combined choir of 400 students, to be bigger and better than ever.
"This year's theme, Remixed: Volume 33, invites audiences on a dynamic journey through a reimagining of music, movement and meaning, highlighting a fresh take on past and present influences in the performing arts," organisers said in a statement.
The show's four performances featuring two separate casts will stage 400 Indigenous dancers alongside the mass choir performance.
Tickets on Thursday remained available through Ticketek for Saturday's 1pm performance with Cast B. The other three shows have sold out.
Even before she introduces herself, there is the sense that Symphony Riley was born for the stage.
She has been writing her own songs since she was a child - melody first, naturally, and then the lyrics. The song that she will perform during Friday's opening performance at Star Struck is close to her heart.
It is called Forgive But Never Forget. She penned it when she was 13. Now, in her senior year at the Hunter School of Performing Arts, and having performed in Star Struck since she was in Year Six, Symphony is ready to finish her time in the Hunter and Central Coast public schools mega-show with a bang.
Thursday's final dress rehearsal was a bittersweet moment for Symphony and co-star Ruby Edwards. Both senior students have long tenures with the combined school creative arts showcase, which this year is staging over 4200 student performers from the Hunter and Central Coast.
Ruby has been involved since Year 3, first as a dancer and now as a featured vocalist with a special number she will perform with her sister.
Behind the hundreds of dancers, singers and on-stage talent, an army of musicians, tech and crew turns the wheels of each barn-storming number.
"It makes you feel like you're a star," Symphony said. "It's great."
As the pair reflect on the showcase that has punctuated their school years, Ruby and Symphony call it "Christmas in June".
They began rehearsals in December, they said, and by Friday night the fruits of six months of their creative labour will take the stage.
"It feels like an out-of-body experience," Ruby said. "It's not until you come off stage that you think 'Wow'."
Star Struck has been reignited in 2025 as organisers tip this year's performance, including a combined choir of 400 students, to be bigger and better than ever.
"This year's theme, Remixed: Volume 33, invites audiences on a dynamic journey through a reimagining of music, movement and meaning, highlighting a fresh take on past and present influences in the performing arts," organisers said in a statement.
The show's four performances featuring two separate casts will stage 400 Indigenous dancers alongside the mass choir performance.
Tickets on Thursday remained available through Ticketek for Saturday's 1pm performance with Cast B. The other three shows have sold out.
Even before she introduces herself, there is the sense that Symphony Riley was born for the stage.
She has been writing her own songs since she was a child - melody first, naturally, and then the lyrics. The song that she will perform during Friday's opening performance at Star Struck is close to her heart.
It is called Forgive But Never Forget. She penned it when she was 13. Now, in her senior year at the Hunter School of Performing Arts, and having performed in Star Struck since she was in Year Six, Symphony is ready to finish her time in the Hunter and Central Coast public schools mega-show with a bang.
Thursday's final dress rehearsal was a bittersweet moment for Symphony and co-star Ruby Edwards. Both senior students have long tenures with the combined school creative arts showcase, which this year is staging over 4200 student performers from the Hunter and Central Coast.
Ruby has been involved since Year 3, first as a dancer and now as a featured vocalist with a special number she will perform with her sister.
Behind the hundreds of dancers, singers and on-stage talent, an army of musicians, tech and crew turns the wheels of each barn-storming number.
"It makes you feel like you're a star," Symphony said. "It's great."
As the pair reflect on the showcase that has punctuated their school years, Ruby and Symphony call it "Christmas in June".
They began rehearsals in December, they said, and by Friday night the fruits of six months of their creative labour will take the stage.
"It feels like an out-of-body experience," Ruby said. "It's not until you come off stage that you think 'Wow'."
Star Struck has been reignited in 2025 as organisers tip this year's performance, including a combined choir of 400 students, to be bigger and better than ever.
"This year's theme, Remixed: Volume 33, invites audiences on a dynamic journey through a reimagining of music, movement and meaning, highlighting a fresh take on past and present influences in the performing arts," organisers said in a statement.
The show's four performances featuring two separate casts will stage 400 Indigenous dancers alongside the mass choir performance.
Tickets on Thursday remained available through Ticketek for Saturday's 1pm performance with Cast B. The other three shows have sold out.
Even before she introduces herself, there is the sense that Symphony Riley was born for the stage.
She has been writing her own songs since she was a child - melody first, naturally, and then the lyrics. The song that she will perform during Friday's opening performance at Star Struck is close to her heart.
It is called Forgive But Never Forget. She penned it when she was 13. Now, in her senior year at the Hunter School of Performing Arts, and having performed in Star Struck since she was in Year Six, Symphony is ready to finish her time in the Hunter and Central Coast public schools mega-show with a bang.
Thursday's final dress rehearsal was a bittersweet moment for Symphony and co-star Ruby Edwards. Both senior students have long tenures with the combined school creative arts showcase, which this year is staging over 4200 student performers from the Hunter and Central Coast.
Ruby has been involved since Year 3, first as a dancer and now as a featured vocalist with a special number she will perform with her sister.
Behind the hundreds of dancers, singers and on-stage talent, an army of musicians, tech and crew turns the wheels of each barn-storming number.
"It makes you feel like you're a star," Symphony said. "It's great."
As the pair reflect on the showcase that has punctuated their school years, Ruby and Symphony call it "Christmas in June".
They began rehearsals in December, they said, and by Friday night the fruits of six months of their creative labour will take the stage.
"It feels like an out-of-body experience," Ruby said. "It's not until you come off stage that you think 'Wow'."
Star Struck has been reignited in 2025 as organisers tip this year's performance, including a combined choir of 400 students, to be bigger and better than ever.
"This year's theme, Remixed: Volume 33, invites audiences on a dynamic journey through a reimagining of music, movement and meaning, highlighting a fresh take on past and present influences in the performing arts," organisers said in a statement.
The show's four performances featuring two separate casts will stage 400 Indigenous dancers alongside the mass choir performance.
Tickets on Thursday remained available through Ticketek for Saturday's 1pm performance with Cast B. The other three shows have sold out.
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