On November 15-17th, young and talented stars of Atlanta’s Star House Entertainers put on a heartfelt, original musical production at Southwest Arts Center, raising awareness surrounding the pressures of being a teen. The cast, 10-19 year olds, executed a thought-provoking original screenplay, written by Tameko Star (award-winning international recording artist, actor, dancer and playwright) and Janice Pascal (actress and award-winning poet). From bullying, peer pressure, family conflict, poverty, and crime the musical addresses the uncomfortable truths about the hardships teens face daily. On the flip side, the students find out that Tyler Perry is hosting auditions for musical talent—the students hone in on their musical skills and team up to combine their talents to win the big title.
Settings for the musical included a classroom, cafeteria, and boys and girls locker rooms, all places where teens are hit with pressures. There were a few scenes that were a little too close to home for some, including one scene when a girl was ganged up on and beaten. When a teacher tried to intervene, the beaten student was too scared to “snitch.” The musical also had a lot of lighthearted and fun moments: the girls performed original choreography to Beyoncé’s “Get Me Bodied” in tutus and the boys reminded us about the unfair realities that they are faced with daily without present fathers and father-figures with a heart-wrenching original song, “I’m just a boy trying to fill a grown man’s shoes.”
Singing and dancing aside, the musical put a spotlight on drugs, guns and apologies. The musical takes you on an emotional ride, making it a must-see for families, teens, teachers and high schools nationwide.
Wanda Smith, co-host of V103’s “Frank and Wanda Morning Show,” and Denise Howard, director of talent and producer for the Universoul Circus, are passionate partners behind this project. Smith and Howard aim to make this musical a national hit.
Smith shares, “SuperStar Dreamz is the Black Glee and the modern-day Fame.”
They also hope that SuperStar Dreamz will someday open on Broadway.
Yes, we hope so, too.
