Empire Theatre’s senior Impact production Starcrossed on 18, 19 October

In an entirely original script inspired from the story of Romeo and Juliet, a group of teens at drama camp navigate their way through a web of relationships. Catch their performance this weekend.

Members of the ensemble (from left) Emmi Lange, Esther-Leigh Watts, Leah McAuliffe, Logan Sanders, Grace Thomas, Lara Anderson, Mackenzie Smith, Levi Paroz, Benjamin Thomas, Six Donald, Russell Cooper and Sophia Bartlett of Starcrossed, a Senior IMPACT production presented by The Empire Foundation, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Trying to navigate what relationships, romance and love looks like for teenagers in 2024 is the theme of Starcrossed, this year’s senior IMPACT ensemble for the Empire Theatre.

Rehearsals were in full swing on Monday evening as the cast donned their camp T-shirts and the backstage crew put together the final touches of the set.

“The show is about a group of teenagers and how their web of relationships change and mould and impact each other,” cast member Levi Paroz, who plays camp counsellor Charlie, said.

Benjamin Thomas (left) and Levi Paroz play the camp directors in Starcrossed, a Senior IMPACT production presented by The Empire Foundation, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The cast of twelve teenagers, aged 14 – 19, worked with youth arts lead Grace Sankey to write the play, inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but set at a drama camp.

“The kids really wanted to tell a story about themselves, and about what love looks like as a young person in 2024,” Ms Sankey said.

The Empire's youth arts lead Grace Sankey (front, left) with the Starcrossed ensemble, a Senior IMPACT production presented by The Empire Foundation, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It is about teen love, about friendship, relationships, and putting them into this melting pot of a drama camp.”

The production is part of Empire Theatre’s senior IMPACT youth arts and follows on from the sold out production of Our Egg Named Larry in July.

Starcrossed will be performed at the Empire Theatre’s Armitage Centre on the 18 and 19 October.

Tickets are available at empiretheatre.com.au.

Esther-Leigh Watts (left) and Leah McAuliffe play the mean girls of camp in Starcrossed, a Senior IMPACT production presented by The Empire Foundation, Monday, October 14, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer