Starbrite Studios' Annual Show and Pantomime
The Starbrite annual show and festive productions are the highlight of our busy performance calendar. Students aged 3+ years are invited to take to the stage to perform to friends and family. We also film the entire show and make the recording available so everyone can continue to enjoy the memories.
Most dance and performing arts schools put together only one show every two years, but here at Starbrite you are given two opportunities to star in a show each year because we love to perform, and we love to see our members perform.
To make two shows possible and affordable every year, our summer show, which is our bigger production, is performed live to an audience. Our Christmas show is not performed to a live audience but is filmed only to keep costs low and to allow us to create a schedule that fits into everyone's already busy festive period.
Our Next Production - It's Chriiistmas!
Plot Synopsis
As final preparations are made for the Christmas Chart Show, in the TV Studio the directors prep the assembled crowd to be loud and energetic as the show's theme tune kicks in! Our hosts Tim Tinsel, Holly Bush and Sam Frost welcome the audience to journey through the Top 10 Christmas Chart Hits, as we meet the characters from a very special story, hear their songs and the story of the role they played.
Watch the nativity story as we know it unfold as it’s told through song and interviews on the Christmas Chart Show.
Introducing the first act 'Gabriel’s Soul Patrol', Gabriel tells his story of how he visited a woman called Mary, to give her the news that she would be doing a special job and having God's baby. Mary joins the band on stage to tell how this news made her feel and how Gabriel made her realise what an honour it was. The crowd watches and enjoys as Gabriel's Soul Patrol performs their Motown inspired song.
Our hosts introduce the next band, 'The Landlords', chatting to one of the hosts they tell the story of how their hometown, Bethlehem, had become very busy during the census. We hear the story of how one innkeeper and his wife had found it a struggle to keep on tip of the rush which led them to fall out in a comical fashion. These events are retold in a vibrant folk song.
After studio chat and banter, we are introduced to 'Don Kee & The Animals', during their interview we learn how Mary and her husband Joseph had travelled to Bethlehem. Unable to find a room they had been allowed to stay in a stable where Mary gave birth to a baby boy. The details are explained in the bands 60s retro-style number.
Following more inter-host banter, it's time for a bit of glam rock, as 'The Crooks', a band of platform-heeled shepherd take to the stage. During their song we learn how an ordinary night on the hillside became eventful with the arrival of a heavenly host of angels. After that, we have the boy band 'The Wise Guys', we hear how these three had followed a bright star carrying special gifts for a newborn baby, with their 80's-inspired pop song.
We hear from King Herod telling the darker side of the story as we discover to what lengths a king will go, just to hang onto his crown! Once all acts have performed, it’s time to find out who has earned the top spot in the Christmas Chart.
How to submit your audition tapw
- Record your audition video on a device at home.
- Upload your audition video to WeTransfer and send it to info@starbritestudios.co.uk by completing the information in the following dialog box.
You can submit an audition for as many characters as you wish.
Characters and audition scripts
If you are interested in auditioning for a speaking role, here is the full script and here are a list of characters and their audition lines.
The gender of the character does not reflect the gender of the actor playing the role - feel free to play any gender character.
Character | # Lines | Description | Audition Lines | Song Lines |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tim Tinsel | 15+ | Tim Tinsel is one of the show hosts, they are excited and trendy. |
We're here...We're live...And we're LOUD, counting down the hits on the CHRIIIISTMAS CHART SHOW! Welcome everyone to the television centre. My name is Tim Tinsel. |
|
Holly Bush | 10+ | Holly is another show host, working alongside Tim Tinsel. She is bubbly, loud, funny and cheesy. | Whether you like your Motown, Glam Rock, Folk, Big-band, Swing, or a nice slice of Cheesy Pop, we've got something for everyone, so tell me who are you most looking forward to? |
|
Sam Frost | 10+ | Another show host, bubbly, cheeky and excited. | And I'm Sam Frost! We’re all excited here in the studio, as I’m sure you are at home, to find out who is going to be number one in the Christmas pop chart. And this year, it's a chart with a difference! | |
Chris Cracker | 20+ | Another show host working alongside the other three hosts, fun, lively and trendy. | Come on you two, let's not argue on live TV! I reckon it's time you sang for us. Everybody, with their song 'The Streets of Bethlehem', give it up for...The Landlords! | |
Director | 10+ | Bossy and passionate. | OK, I need silence on the studio floor! I said SILENCE! We're on air in less than thirty seconds! Is everyone in position? | |
Assistant Director | 10+ | Bossy, passionate, hard worker. | OK, I need silence on the studio floor! I said SILENCE! We're on air in less than thirty seconds! Is everyone in position? | |
Girls 1-7 | 1 | Young and very excited fans of the bands. | What can I say. It was heavenly! Their voices are so angelic. | |
Boys 1-7 | 1 | Young and very excited fans of the bands. | Hello, to all my mates watching, I bet you're dead jealous I got tickets to this. | |
Gabriel | 1 (also sings) | Angelic, wise and spreads God's love. |
This song is about how I visited a young woman called Mary at her home in Nazareth and told her about a special job she was being given. |
Song Audition: Mariah Carey, 'All I want for Christmas is you'. Use this link for your vocal audition. Music for audition starts at 50 seconds.
I don't want a lot for Christmas |
Angel | 1 (also sings) | Angelic, wise and spreads God's love. | ||
Mary | 3 | Mother of Jesus. Honoured to work for God. | Well, we all decided that together we should put out a joyous, uplifting song for this wonderful time of year. It's a song that reminds us to enjoy Christmas. | |
Innkeeper's Wife | 3 (also sinsgs) | Frustrated wife to a lazy husband. | Yes, but it was me who had to sweep the place out, while you sat on your bottom! |
Use this link for your vocal audition:
It was Christmas Eve babe
Got on a lucky one |
Innkeeper | 2 (also sings) | Lazy character. Played with a Yorkshire accent. | Ah, Come on! That’s not fair! I did my bit to help you! You know how tired I get! | |
Landlords 1-3 | 1-2 | Informative. | It was great news for us! Our guesthouses and inns did a roaring trade with all the visitors who arrived. Profits went through the roof! | |
Don Kee | 2 (also sings) | One of the animals that was there at Jesus's birth. American, quite a smooth character. | It was a wonderful scene to be part of. We all watched quietly from the side and gave thanks for the special gifts that had been given. |
Use this link for your vocal audition:
There is a house in New Orleans
My mother was a tailor |
Animals 1-3 | 1 (also sings) | Some of the animals present at Jesus's birth. | ||
Camels 1-3 | 1 | Some of the animals present at Jesus's birth. | ||
Shepherds 1-5 | 1 (also sings) | Hippies, lived lives of partying hard. Need to speak slow and drawn out. |
Hey, thanks man. So cool to be here on your groovy show. |
Song audition for the shepherds. Use this link for your vocal audition.
Are you hanging up your stocking on your wall? |
Wise Guys 1-3 | 2-3 | Well we have been on tour now for a while, travelling westbound city by city. We're kind of used to this sort of reaction from the ladies. |
Use this link for your vocal audition:
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
Once bitten and twice shy |
|
Herod | 2 | You're not kidding, Chris. Let's face it, after some of my behaviour in the past, I wasn't sure the public would go for this song. |
Use this link for your vocal audition:
Good King Wenceslas looked out |
|
Swingers 1-3 | 1 | He's certainly the man we all love to hate, and this song is an honest account of the reasons why! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering becoming involved in the show?
Each year, Starbrite puts on two main productions. We run a full-scale production of dance, drama and song, based around a particular theme in July every year, which we perform live and record. We also put on a recorded-only festive pantomime production every December. Both productions include professional sound, lighting, filming and photography. Starbrite students aged 3+ years are invited to take part, and family and friends are invited along to watch live performances.
Shows are held in our own theatre space at our studios in Shiptonthorpe.
Since Starbrite relocated to its current site in Shiptonthorpe in 2012, Miss Emma and Mr P have created a dynamic space for performers aged from 12 months through to 70+ years to develop their love of the arts. The Covid-19 pandemic saw us investing in new equipment to keep our show productions alive and as a result, we now have a fully equipped black box theatre space which we feel makes the perfect setting for our productions.
Shows are performed in our black box theatre space in our largest studio, studio 1 (unit 13), where we have our stage curtains, lighting, and projector and screen permanently installed. Audio is output to both studios simultaneously. Students perform on our specialised sprung dance floor.
Our second largest studio, studio 2 (unit 14), is used as our auditorium. We install tiered seating with safety barriers, so the audience has good views of the performers. We can comfortably seat 69 audience members, creating a personal and intimate environment and thereby allowing our students to showcase their hard work in more shows.
Entry to and exit from our shows is via our café (unit 15), where we offer hot and cold beverages and food before performances, during intervals, and after performances. We also serve ice cream in the auditorium during the performance intervals.
A disabled, public toilet is available along the corridor in studio 2 (unit 14) and in the café.
For our July performances, we hire a professional company to supply and erect a large, heated marquee in the parking spaces directly outside our studios and café, to be used as a changing space for our performers.
Details to follow soon!
We strongly recommend that all students attend all the rehearsals specified for the show. However, if students will not be available for some or all rehearsals, please speak with us to see if alternative arrangements can be made. Younger students will be prioritised so they spend less time at the rehearsals.
Details to follow soon!
The cost of the show differs slightly between our summer show and festive productions, and depends on the following:
Summer Show
- The number of Starbrite classes a student attends.
- Whether the student takes part in only the filming of their show performances during their normal classes prior to the live show or whether family and friends would also like to attend the live show.
- Each student taking part in the show will be provided with a show t-shirt for £11.00. This will be worn in the show finale and can be worn to and from classes or to any Star Performer or Triplestar Performer class after the show.
Each Starbrite class (excluding Twinkle Tots, Little Cirque, Star Gymnast, and Dance Cirque) a student attends will include at least two performances in the show. Students who attend multiple classes will take part in more performances. Each performance within a class incurs a costume hire fee of £11.00. So, if you have one family member who attends one class and another family member who attends two classes, and each class includes two performances, the total costume hire charge for the family will be £66.00.
A copy of the recorded show in digital download format costs £16.50 and is automatically included in the cost of the show. If multiple members of the same family take part in the show, the family will only be charged for one download.
In addition to a digital copy of the show, students can choose to take part in the live shows in front of their family and friends. Each customer is automatically assigned two show tickets for £11.00 per ticket. If multiple members of the same family take part in the show, the family will only be charged for one pair of tickets.
Christmas Pantomime
- The number of Starbrite classes a student attends.
- Each student taking part in the show will be provided with a show t-shirt for £11.00. This will be worn in the show finale and can be worn to and from classes or to any Star Performer or Triplestar Performer class after the show.
Each Starbrite class (excluding Twinkle Tots, Little Cirque, Star Gymnast, and Dance Cirque) a student attends will include at least one performance in the show. Students who attend multiple classes will take part in more performances, and some older children may take part in additional performances. There is a costume hire fee of £11.00 per costume. So, if you have one family member who attends one class and another family member who attends two classes, and each class includes one performance, the total costume hire charge for the family will be £33.00.
A copy of the recorded show in digital download format costs £16.50 and is automatically included in the cost of the show. If multiple members of the same family take part in the show, the family will only be charged for one download.
For both the summer show and the festive production, the only additional items you will need to purchase (if you don't already own them) are listed below. Click on the links to purchase the items from our online shop.
- For females:
- Children's' shimmer tights or adults' shimmer tights
- Children's camisole or adults' camisole (to preserve modesty during costume changes).
- Black pumps or trainers (if you don't own a pair of children's jazz shoes or adults' jazz shoes)
- Black leggings (if you don't own children's jazz pants or adult's jazz pants).
- For males:
- Black pumps or trainers (if you don't own a pair of children's jazz shoes or adults' jazz shoes)
- Black joggers (if you don't own children's joggers or adult's joggers).
We recognise that prior arrangements can clash with some or all performance dates, so please let us know if you cannot make some performances but would like to be involved with the others.
If a student is not available for any of the live show performances, they can still be filmed during their normal classes in the lead-up to the show and will be included in the video released to all show students.
Each show performance generally lasts between one and a half and two and a half hours, which includes an intermission.
As a genral rule for our annual show in July, each class a student attends is involved in two performances, though this may also depend on when the student joined the class, as the choreography may have already been set and taught for some routines.
For our festive production in December, auditions are held for the main and supporting character speaking roles. Those who do not secure a speaking role will take part in dance and singing performances in the ensemble during the performance.
All performers involved in the both productions take part in the finale at the end of every show performance, providing they have attended all finale rehearsals.
For our summer show, after the two tickets for each 'student family' have been allocated and subject to availability, additional tickets may be purchased nearer the event, and these will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis via our online box office.
Performing in the Starbrite Show is often the highlight of our performers' experience each year. Though the thought of performing may seem overwhelming at first, participation in our shows is an incredible opportunity. Here's why...
Shows promote teamwork
By working with their fellow performers, everyone learns how to work in a team. Teamwork is a basic skill necessary in all aspects of life. Our show productions provide a wonderful opportunity for performers to learn that anything one can do, a group can do even better!
Shows provide goals
Athletes compete in tournaments and performing arts students perform in shows! The weeks and months spent preparing for a show teach students how to work towards a goal. Performers take pride in conquering new steps, learning lyrics, or remembering their lines that they'll be able to show off.
Shows build new skills
Preparing for a show is a way for performers to work on retention skills, rhythm, technique, and more. For students who have never performed before, show productions introduce new terminology.
Shows create memories
Show memories are lifelong memories! Show performances provide performers with the opportunity to share what they have been learning with friends and families. Meanwhile, show pictures and video footage become the highlights of photo albums and film nights. For families, the show is a time to celebrate their performer's achievements. For performers, the show instils a passion for the art of all aspects of performance.
Shows boost confidence
Taking part in our shows or other live performance helps performers overcome shyness and stage fright. It gives students a chance to showcase all of their hard work throughout the year. Our filmed production can help performers build up to being able to experience performing for a live audience, gaining self-confidence. They can carry this with them in all aspects of school, work, and life.
You can watch recent productions and view some of the photos in the gallery on this web page. This will give a fabulous insight into how exciting starring in a Starbrite production can be.
These are the important dates to be aware of for the forthcoming production:
Friday, May 17th
Respond to our short online survey here or scan the QR code below indicating whether you would like to take part in the show. Please enter the names of all the students in your family who would like to take part in the show and whether you would like them to be included in only the recording sessions and/or the live shows.
Attending show performances and dress rehearsals
- Stage make-up - please see our theatre make-up tutorial here.
- Hair and associated products - Hairspray, hair gel, combs, brushes, hair grips etc. Hair is to be styled as described in the section 'Do performers need to wear make-up and have their hair styled?'
- Dance shoes - Jazz shoes/black plimsolls, which should include the performer's name.
- Clothing - Females should attend wearing a body stocking (for safeguarding purposes when changing into costumes) and shimmer tights. Please click the links to purchase them from our online shop.
- Other cosmetic accessories - Baby wipes, safety pins, nail varnish remover (as nail varnish is not permitted in our shows), needle and thread, and anything else you think you may need.
- Food and drink - You are welcome to purchase food and drink from our café between performances but not during the intervals, so please bring snacks and drinks with you. Some of our students have nut allergies, so please avoid bringing any products which may contain nuts.
- Money - To purchase food, drinks, programmes etc.
- Entertainment - Games, books, and other items to keep performers occupied, but please avoid felt tip pens or other items which could damage costumes. We cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged items.
Please ensure that all uniform/costume orders for the show are collected before the first rehearsal as we will be unable to fit shoes or process orders.
Please arrive at the studios at least fifteen minutes before the rehearsal and performance times stated in the sections above.
Stage make-up is the fun part of being in a show as it enhances the performers' natural features when they are under the stage lights. The lights are so bright that without them performers can look washed out and expressionless.
A video tutorial for applying stage make-up can be found here. The images below show how long female hair should be styled.
Fringes for both males and females should be styled off the face as they create a shadow on the face under the stage lights.
Female long hair is to be styled into a high ponytail secured with a neutral-coloured hair bobble. Lots of hairspray or gel needs to be used to set the style in place so it lasts for the day.
Female short hair where possible needs to have the front section of the hair taken back off the face.
Male short hair requires some hair gel applied to make it look funky.
Male long hair needs to be styled using a hair bobble.
No, all children will be looked after by our licensed and DBS-checked chaperones and staff members.
No, all performers must stay on site between productions. The turnaround between shows is usually quite quick, so there isn't time to leave. Children are permitted to bring their own devices to entertain themselves but this is done at your own risk. Starbrite cannot accept responsibility for any devices that are lost or broken.
If you have any questions about the show, then we would love to chat more. Just contact us here.
Upcoming events
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08
Jun
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13
Jul
2024
Christmas Show Auditions for Speaking Roles
Audition for a role in our upcoming Christmas show, 'It's Chriiistmas'.
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13
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15 Dec 2024