The 300 students chosen cooperate with one another in a clinic setting to rehearse for the big performance. The Star Show was established to promote the arts in Charleston's schools and community, while acting as a fund-raiser for the St. Andrews Rotary Club and its trust fund, which provides 20 scholarships yearly. Goldsmith produces and directs the event, which involves more than 70 schools, and decides which of the many programs will perform - and in what order. This year's agenda includes the Springfield Skippers jump-rope team, a countywide children's choir and School of the Arts dance. Glaze said the production involves about 2,000 students.
Students sell tickets to earn money to go toward their school's performing arts program.
One third of the money raised is given to a dropout prevention program, Glaze said, and a third is given to Charleston County School District's Fine Arts program for travel and instrument costs. The final third goes to Rotary charities, such as last year's Honduras Water Project. This year, residents from assisted-living communities will be bused in to see the show free of charge as another way of reaching out to the community. Glaze believes that the 1,000 to 1,200 clapping, smiling people in the audience inspire kids to stay on the right track in their academic and performing lives. Daniel Shahid, a drummer since sixth grade and Junior Officer of the Middleton Jazz Ensemble, said his involvement in the Star Show will improve his skill and help him to land a college music scholarship.