What is the Key to Success with an Original Family Musical? It’s not uncommon that the writers will change their scripts based on the Jones’ suggestions, as Stephen Schwartz and David Stern did for My Son, Pinocchio (when Jennifer realized that their “Blue Fairy” character could have little assistants.) They know things like how to change the keys for various voices, ways to involve more cast members to enhance the children’s sense of pride, how to make the language appropriate, and how to help school-age performers have a more meaningful connection with the material. While the writers may be experts in storytelling, Jennifer and Peter are experts in productions with young people, and how to make the experiences richer for their performers. So we did a pilot production of the school editions of Rent, Sweeney Todd, and Avenue Q, and junior versions of Hairspray Jr, and Beauty and the Beast Jr, just to name a few.” For the two Stephen Schwartz shows tested at StarStruck, Schwartz and his collaborators flew down to Florida to work on the productions with them. She recalls, “They were like, ‘this is amazing! Who are you? And where is Stuart, Florida?’ We hob knobbed with some of these people we met in Atlanta and a few weeks later we got a phone call asking if we would like to do a pilot. She had arranged a 15-minute montage of Once on This Island with 32 children. Their work in the MTI spotlight began back in 2007 when the leaders at MTI saw what Jennifer had created for a festival in Atlanta. She is now open to submission inquiries for future productions, especially of large musicals that can be cast with children ages 9 to 18. I recently spoke with Jennifer Jones who, with her husband Peter Jones, founded the theatre and serves as producing artistic director as well as a director and instructor. Jennifer Jones, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of StarStruck Academy and Theatre
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