UPDATE: Zach takes his students to Twilight Zone style storylines

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – One of our Extraordinary People of the Week has two new shows full of talented young actors ready to go!

We featured Zach Hanner for everything he does to give local youth a chance to take the stage and gain confidence in afterschool acting classes through his Superstar Academy. He writes the scripts for the kids himself and includes an educational lesson hidden inside the storyline.

“Each story has an overarching moral that hopefully kids will take away in addition to enjoying the acting and the comedy and music of the show,” Hanner said.

Here’s what he told us about the new performances about to take the stage:

“Ray Bradbury meets Degrassi Junior High in “The Cool Kid.” When a group of popular kids at Cooper Middle find that the new student has taken over as the arbiter of all things cool, they have to figure out just what makes him so cool. This show offers a lesson on the pitfalls of advertising and how kids should make their own decisions about what’s cool instead of letting some marketing ploy influence them.

“Rockin'” follows a tween garage band that’s trying to get off the ground. Too bad their guitar player, Jimmy, isn’t very good. Frustrated with how hard it is to learn the guitar, Jimmy makes a deal with a mysterious stranger in exchange for immediate talent. But will his new found skills bring him success or terror?

These two short plays, from the pen of Superstar Academy Executive Director Zach Hanner, are the first in a series of “Twilight Zone”-style stories for kids. They provide an overarching moral cleverly tucked in to a fun and entertaining format. Fun for kids of every age!”

Want to check out one of our Extraordinary Person of the Week’s shows?

Here’s the skinny….

Thursday, May 14th at 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 16th at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 17th at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

There is also have room available for the school shows…

Thursday, May 14th at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Friday, May 15th at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Please contact Zach Hanner at tnowsuperstaracademy@gmail.com to schedule your school’s trip!

Shows will take place at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., downtown Wilmington.