Starstruck Reading Books

Musical Theatre

Find out about the unique combination of dance, drama, singing, performance and speaking that makes up musical theatre. Discover the most successful shows ever. Find out about musical theatre around the world. What does it take to become successful on the stage of a show like The Phantom of the Opera?

Then read Alice’s story, in the short story Dilemma.

Street Dance

Discover the origins of street dance. Find out about its different styles, such as hip-hop, tecktonik and jumpstyle; and its moves, like breaking, popping and locking. Read about street dance battles and how you can learn street dance.

Then read the story about Kelly's dance battle, and what her mum did about it, in Dance Off.

Stage Makeup

Find out how stage makeup is used in the performing arts. Discover how stage makeup differs from ordinary makeup. Learn how to use makeup for special effects, and what works for TV or film or the stage. Fancy a career as a makeup artist? Read about how you train and what jobs there might be.

Then read Who’s the Best?, a story about a contest between two quarrelling makeup artists who find a way to find out who really is the best makeup artist.

Acting

Learn all about acting. Find out about the differences between acting on stage, or in films or on TV. Learn about ‘the method’ and what makes Robert De Niro one of the all-time greats in acting. Find out what ‘living in character’ means. And get some tips about starting a career in acting.

Then read how Stella finds her Romeo, but it’s not quite who she expects, in Stella Dreams of Stardom.

Circus Skills

Learn about life in the circus, past and present, and why circus skills are more popular than ever. Find out which skills people are learning today. Check out the dangerous acts, like fire-eating, sword-swallowing and tightrope tricks. Read how one person was even crazy enough to cook breakfast, on a high-wire above the Niagara Falls.

Then read the short story You’re a Natural, and find out how Sam finally achieves her circus dream.

Modern Dance

Learn what modern dance really is, and how it differs from other forms of dance. Find out how it started; read about the early pioneers, such as lsadora Duncan who thought that classical ballet was ‘ugly’. Discover what the future holds, and how you could find a career as a dancer.

Then read how the show must go on, no matter what, in the short story A Show for Ghana.

Bollywood

Discover the music, clothes and dancing of Bollywood films and culture. Then read about Hansa's dream of being in a Bollywood film in the short story Drama Queen.

Hip Hop

Discover the origins of Hip Hop as a type of music, and the dancing, rhythms and technology that it involves. Find out about famous musical figures and steps to becoming a great rapper. Then read Malik's story about his Hip Hop band, in the short story Make Me a Star.

Stand-up Comedy

Learn what it means to be a stand-up comic and the best places to perform. Find out about famous stand-up comics and their style. Discover steps on how to begin a career in comedy. Then read on as Jess Terr, the college joker, struggles to impress her teacher with her silly stories, in Jess Terr's Funny Life.

Street Theatre

Learn about the history of street theatre and discover helpful tips to start a career in public performance. Find out about the World Buskers Festival and other places that put on amazing street shows. Then read The Golden Manto find out that not all street performers are quite what they seem.

Star Singer

What is a star singer? How do you become a star singer? Do you need to win a TV show? What's life like as a star singer? Then read Susan's story as she competes with other girls, in The Star Singer.

Street Style

Learn about street fashion from around the world. Read about punk, goth and street style in Japan. Then read the short story I'm Not a Sheep! to find out about Reena's fashion choices and how to stand out from the crowd.