[photo credit: Young Stars Theatre Academy]
Jack and Gloria Bennett founded Young Stars Theatre in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 2000 after discovering that California youth theatres charged participation fees as high as $800—a price point that excluded most working families. “It hit them after a few years of doing the summer camps that there was very little opportunity for these youth to participate in theatre the rest of the year,” according to the organization’s founding narrative. “This realization inspired the idea to create a community theatre just for youth actors, and Young Stars Theatre was born.”
The Bennetts moved to Los Angeles in 2004 and made their Southern California debut in 2007 with “The Sherlock Society” at The Actor’s Workout Studio in North Hollywood. Young Stars Theatre became a full nonprofit corporation in 2009 and established a permanent home in January 2016 at the Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena.
Today, the organization serves youth performers ages six through 18, having produced more than 200 shows over two decades. The company’s mission remains focused on providing young actors opportunities to perform roles they might not otherwise access in a supportive environment while performing for live audiences.
The “Annie” production features music by Charles Strouse, book by Thomas Meehan, and lyrics by Martin Charnin. The story follows a young orphan whose optimism and courage inspire everyone she meets, reminding audiences of the power of hope, love, and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges.
“Annie” will run on Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave., Suite 100, South Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 269-3609 or visit https://ysta.ludus.com/index.php. Ticket prices: $35.
