A Message From Our Founder

As Bright Star prepares to enter its 21st school year, we wanted to share a message from our company founder, David Ostergaard, about the big “Why” of our Bully Prevention programming. I thought the message was important to share early in the school year, and I think you will agree. – Josh Batenhorst, CEO
Dear friends,
When I reflect back on my time in school it’s fond memories of teachers that brought creativity and love to the classroom, it’s the iconic pizza slices, the school assemblies and the good friends. Unfortunately, like millions of others, these memories are sometimes tarnished by the darkest years of my life where I found myself being bullied on a near daily basis.
When I had the opportunity to create our first season with Bright Star—an anti-bullying show for the youngest grades was so important to me. I wanted our young audiences to hear these messages of hope, to understand that they weren’t alone and feel empowered to seek help to end it.
I am writing this appeal to express the deep importance of addressing and combating bullying in your community and beyond. Bullying is not just a trivial matter; it has profound and lasting effects on the lives of those who experience it. As someone who values compassion, understanding, and the well-being of others, I believe that taking a stand against bullying is a moral obligation that we all share.
Bright Star has long been a leader in our field providing a strong season of anti-bullying programming that seeks to serve audiences of all ages.
I have experienced firsthand how bullying can lead to emotional trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression for the victims. These negative consequences extend beyond childhood and can continue to impact individuals throughout their lives. By promoting an environment that is free from bullying, we not only protect the mental and emotional health of our young people but also foster a sense of belonging and unity.
Furthermore, I firmly believe that promoting antibullying initiatives contributes to building a stronger, more empathetic society. When we actively work to prevent bullying, we send a clear message that kindness, respect, and inclusivity are our shared values. By educating ourselves and others about the effects of bullying, we empower individuals to become allies, standing up against harassment and discrimination in all forms.
As we strive for a more harmonious and compassionate world, let us remember that every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and accepted. By prioritizing antibullying efforts, we not only create a better present but also pave the way for a brighter future where every individual can thrive without the fear of mistreatment.
Thank you for considering my appeal. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and create a community where kindness prevails over cruelty.
We are living through uncertain times where bullies have been given megaphones in our daily lives through the media and politics of our age.
I hope sincerely you’ll join our mission in bringing light to the dark corners of our own lives and the young people that rely on us to be their voice.
Your commitment to the cause means so much. As I reflect back, I think most warmly of Dr. Tony Baldwin in my high school that helped to bring an end to four years of bullying and helped make my final two years of high school something full of sweet memories.
We each have this power to change the life of a young person today.
Sincerely,
David Ostergaard
Company Owner/Founder
If you would like to make some of Bright Star’s Bully Prevention programming a part of your school year, reach out to schedule a performance or purchase an online show. Email josh@brightstartheatre.com or give us a call at 336-558-7360.

School is about more than just academics…

One of the most important things we do at Bright Star, is help students learn how to develop healthy relationships and comabat bullying. It has been a part of our mission from the very beginning and now we are in our 20th year of presenting shows that help students learn to identify and confront bullying wherever they find it.
A school assembly with Bright Star can be the perfect way to introduce important Social -Emotional Learning topics including bullying, online safety, positive attention, cultural awareness and so much more! If it is part of your mission to help students navigate a complicated world filled with difficult relationships and emotions, then Bright Star wants to bring one of our shows to YOU!
Bright Star has a number of shows and programs that can infuse your Social-Emotional Learning and Bully Prevention programming with the power of theatre! October is national Bully Prevention month. All of Bright Star’s shows have a strong character education component, helping students make sense of the larger world, understand other cultures, and learn to navigate tricky social situations. Check out our Fall Tours below!
Everything has been so wonderful down on Friendly Acres Farm, that is, until a bullying turkey starts picking on the other farm animals and making life harder for everyone. Farmer Jim and his faithful dog must stop this bullying bird to save Friendly Acres.
The woods are scary enough without having to worry about a big bully howling in the shadows! Follow Little Red and meet her friends – the three little pigs, the Gingerbread Man, and more – as they learn to face their fears and stand up to the Big Bully Wolf! Learn to identify, report and resist bullying and develop healthy friendships as we follow Little Red on her journey to grandma’s house. Funny, dramatic, and highly entertaining!
One of the first true classics of American literature, this is an authentic retelling of Washington Irving’s story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman! When Ichabod Crane takes a new job as schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow, he was expecting to have a simple life, but things get complicated very quickly! This tale is just spooky enough to delight any audience as the days get shorter, the air gets colder, and the nights turn long and dark. A perfect introduction to this literary classic.
The Lady of Bullyburg is our longest running bully prevention production because it has been heralded by educators and librarians for its power to change lives through lessons of friendship and kindness. Join Lady Kindness as she saves her town from a visiting bully while learning a variety of empowering tools along the way. A fairy tale that helps young audiences learn that a world built on kindness is not just a fantasy!
In a world where technology and society are changing at the speed of light, our hero, Maximus Mars, stands ready to challenge bullies wherever they may be found – in real life, online, or out of this world! Maximus Mars: An Intergalactic Bully Prevention Adventure stretches the imagination while exploring the challenges that students in middle grades face in the modern world – cyberbullying, electronic media, texting and more. Students need practical strategies for dealing with today’s pressures and Maximus Mars addresses those challenges in a direct and creative way.
No one tells a story quite like the Great Edgar Allan Poe! In A Tell-Tale Tale these spooky and clever stories and poems come to life before your very eyes. With a mastery of language that few can match, Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems are as impactful today as they were in the 19th century when they were written. This show blends rich language with expert storytelling to produce a rich language arts experience for middle grades. Stories include “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “The Bells” and more!
Captain Friendship is our super fun, super impactful, superhero themed bully prevention circus adventure! There’s trouble under the big top as the Bully Bandit has struck fear in the hearts of all the performers. It’s up to one superhero to stand up and make a difference – Captain Friendship! Audiences learn to stand up to the Bully Bandit and find that kindness is the ultimate super-power!
Dr. Frank N. Stein is one of the world’s most famous scientists. Along with his trusty assistant, Igor, Dr. Stein has created some of the world’s most amazing inventions! But those inventions would be nothing without YOUR imagination. It will take Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to make his latest masterpiece come to life! This show helps students learn why STEM subjects are so important to the modern world while opening up an exciting world of STEM discovery. Back by popular demand, see why audiences made this our most popular STEM show ever!
A series of fun and informative vignettes, Friend Request explores the good and bad parts of social media and online culture. Technology can be great, but it also comes with some serious temptations and pitfalls. This quirky show gives your audience practical ways to address issues like cyberbullying, online safety, and understanding how to have positive relationships with friends both online and in real life.

Now is the Time to Plan for Fall Programming!

The Fall is a fantastic time for a show from Bright Star Touring Theatre! We have some amazing options for the fall and want to remind you that
October is National Bully Prevention Month.
Plus, we’ve got great special pricing for Fall bookings!
Book one of our amazing live, in-person Fall Shows
(such as Maximus Mars, featured above)
by June 15
and pay NO DEPOSIT (no penalty for cancellations)!
You can also “Pick Your Prize!”
A Free Pre-recorded show ($350 Value).
Or
$200 OFF a single show later in 2021-22:
Visit our website to see all of our shows and find out more!
Give us a call or respond to this email to book your show with Bright Star!

Book a Fall Show and Pick Your Prize!

Book a Fall Show and Pick Your Prize!
We know that some are hesitant to book shows for the coming fall,
but, we’ve got a great deal for those of you who want to get your fall calendars set before the end of the school year.
Book one of our amazing live, in-person Fall Shows
(such as FrankenSTEM, featured above)
by June 15
and pay NO DEPOSIT (no penalty for cancellations)!
AND THAT’S NOT ALL
You can also “Pick Your Prize!”
A Free Pre-recorded show ($350 Value).
Or
$200 OFF a single show later in 2021-22:
Visit our website to see all of our shows and find out more!
Give us a call or respond to this email to book your show with Bright Star!
TO BOOK:
Call 336.558.7360 or email

Have You Heard About Bright Star Residencies?

Bright Star In-School Residencies are a one-of-a-kind experience tailored to fit your school. Bright Star Residencies can last from one to five days and can range in content
from broad introductory courses, to specific arts integrated content designed to enhance learning – each residency is custom made for your school!

With over 15 years of experience designing arts integrated content, we work alongside you to make sure your residency fits your school’s schedule and goals perfectly.

We would love to share the talent and expertise of our amazing educator/performers with your school!

Call 336.558.7360 to find out more!

Residency Pricing starts at $1995!

To start designing your custom residency today
email: josh@brightstartheatre.com

Bullying Doesn’t Have to be a Part of Growing Up

Educators know that bullying has dire consequences. It leads to poor emotional, mental and physical health, poor performance in school, attendance issues and often violence. We know that students who are bullied are more than twice as likely to struggle with one of these issues, and also be more likely to perpetuate the cycle by bullying others as well.

The good news is, bullying doesn’t have to be a part of every child’s school experience. While there’s no magic answer that ends it, a comprehensive school education plan that engages students and the community can help. That’s where Bright Star Touring Theatre comes in.

Our Bully Prevention shows serve as a great kickoff event or regular part of your community’s efforts to reduce violence, end bullying and teach empathy. In addition to directly addressing Bullying, all Bright Star shows have relevant social/emotional learning components and strong character education lessons.

We would love to have the opportunity to work with you this fall to help end bullying and teach students to be compassionate and caring friends. We have eight different shows to choose from.

Choose from:
The Pirate of Bully Bay
Maximus Mars: An Intergalactic Antibullying Adventure
Bullysaurus Rex
Friend Request: An Online Safety Show
Little Red and the Big Bully Wolf
Bullied
Captain Friendship and the Bully Bandit
The Story of Anne Frank

Book Your Antibullying Assembly for Fall 2019

Bright Star has eight incredible Antibullying shows heading out next fall. These shows focus on the power of positive friendships and give great lessons about how to include everyone in a school community.

You can double the impact of these shows by coupling it with our amazing whole-school program – “Operation Friendship” – where schools get extended Q&A with our talented actors, pledge cards where students can pledge to be good friends, and an “Operation Friendship” banner to display proudly in the school. Check out all of our Antibullying titles for 2019-20 below and click the links to read descriptions.

Choose from:
The Pirate of Bully Bay
Maximus Mars: An Intergalactic Antibullying Adventure
Bullysaurus Rex
Friend Request: An Online Safety Show
Little Red and the Big Bully Wolf
Bullied
Captain Friendship and the Bully Bandit
The Story of Anne Frank

Help make your school a safe and fun place through the power of theatre!

Time to start thinking about the holidays!

The holiday season is just around the corner… make merry with your students by bringing in a Bright Star performance!

We are bringing back our most popular holiday classics such as Christmas with Santa, A Dickens Tale, and Holidays Around the World, as well as introducing our exciting new productions Old MacDonald’s Sing-Along Farm and Stone Soup and Other Heartwarming Tales.

We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with your school… call us today to inquire about availability!
336-558-7360