Naples – There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater during June’s I’m a Star performances at Naples Performing Arts Center.  “These are the most beautiful people I’ve ever met,” said a tearful Lori Oliver, founder & CEO of Naples Performing Arts Center.  “These children and adults have the chance to challenge themselves in the awesome Special Olympics program, but they don’t have the opportunity to shine on the stage. I wanted to give them the opportunity to be a star!”

Oliver started the I’m a Star program in 2015 to give students with intellectual challenges not only the ability to perform for friends and family, but also to learn theater vocabulary, choreography, and team work.

Each participant chose what they would like to work on during the six week training program.  Through a combination of Oliver’s direction and Broadway Buddies, young mentors from Naples Performing Arts Center’s musical theater company, participants performed acts that included smash hits from musical theater, challenging ballroom dance numbers, and even standup comedy!