STARSTRUCK STORY
Summer | Fall 2018 | MartinArts 41
StarStruck’s Forever Home
By Gaby Ferraro
The purple doors on Martin County’s
only non-profit children’s theater will remain open
at StarStruck’s Kanner Highway location for years
to come, thanks to impactful contributions by
local philanthropist David L. Smythe, other major
donors and community support. The gifts were
instrumental in helping StarStruck secure 2101
South Kanner Highway as its permanent home,
where it will remain a
safe space for generations
of children to nurture
their creative minds. The
building has been the
theater’s home for the last
seven years.
Co-founders
Jennifer and Peter Jones
said, “StarStruck is so
much more than a place
where kids sing, tap and
put on shows. It is a place
where children learn
teamwork, dedication,
tolerance for all people
and perseverance.
David Smythe, Patricia
Lambrecht, Greg Block, Michael Lazarus, Harvey
Berger, Nancy Marin, Margaret Richebourg and
Joe Temple, Jerome and Phyllis Rappaport and
an anonymous donor that made a large donation
along with other major donors have come forward
to ensure that Martin County will always have
a safe place where children can grow and be
themselves through the exposure to an excellent
arts education.”
The road to securing the location was
not without its challenges. Although StarStruck’s
team and board members had successfully raised
$1 million through its capital campaign, a total of
$3 million was needed to purchase the building
from the owners, who no longer wished to rent it.
Determined to find a “forever home” for StarStruck,
the Jones’ investigated other properties around
Stuart but refused to give up on the Kanner
Highway building, which already boasts a 200-seat
theater, ample rehearsal space, classrooms, a prop
warehouse and is centrally-located.
In late March, with just days left in
StarStruck’s lease, Smythe presented the Jones’ with
a game-changer: raise $500,000 and he will match
it dollar for dollar. The StarStruck team went into
overdrive to raise the additional funds. Jennifer
Jones describes that time: “It was non-stop, we
were calling anyone who had supported StarStruck
in the past and believed in the importance of an
arts education in Martin County.” With support
from the community, StarStruck raised $875,000
in 10 days. Smythe delivered his $500,000 gift.
StarStruck had raised $2,375,000 towards the
purchase of the property.
Jones
continued, “When
donations fell $625,000
short at closing the
only option was to
personally guarantee
the mortgage for
StarStruck Theatre’s
future. We are
confident that our
personal risk will
have been well worth
it for the benefit of
StarStruck Theatre
and the thousands of
young theater artists
in Martin County.
who now have the
opportunity to better their lives and become
the stars of tomorrow in any collegiate and
occupational path they choose.”
Fundraising efforts will continue as
maintenance and upgrades are necessary for
the 20-year old building. Immediate projects
include properly safeguarding the building from
hurricanes. This includes replacing existing
windows with impact glass and filling in some
walls where windows currently are (windows are
never wanted in any theatrical setting as it must be
dark). Future plans include a costume shop, scene
shop additional classroom spaces and a black box
theater.
“StarStruck is a home away from home
for hundreds (thousands over the past 18 years)
of children where they explore their creativity and
become citizens who will in turn make a positive
impact on our community and beyond.” Jones
added, “Our gratitude to every single person who
donated, large or small, is immeasurable.” For more
information on StarStruck Theatre please visit
www.StarStruckFL.org or call 772-283-2313.
/www.StarStruckFL.org