The BW-grown musical served as the centerpiece of the 19th annual collaboration between the BW Conservatory of Performing Arts and Playhouse Square, one of the nation's premier performing arts centers.
Baldwin Wallace University alumni Gideon Temple '25 and Hank Temple '26 spent years writing a musical with their parents. This spring, "Star Machine," an original musical comedy, sold out all five performances of its world premiere run at Playhouse Square's Helen Theatre, only 20 minutes from BW's campus in downtown Cleveland.
A partnership built over 19 years
Since 2007, BW and Playhouse Square have offered BW music theatre and arts management and entrepreneurship students a genuine professional experience each spring, working alongside industry creatives to mount a full production on one of the country's most respected stages.
Bryan Bowser, associate dean of theatre arts, said the production reflects the BW Conservatory of Performing Arts' mission in action. "This is a perfect example of the unique opportunities available in the BW Conservatory of Performing Arts," Bowser said.
"Over four years, multiple students had opportunities to grow their skillsets, connections and professional networks. It's rare to get to see a project from inception to full production, and I'm super proud of all the many students, grads and faculty involved."
Cleveland shows up
The sold-out run meant something personal to the brothers. "There will never be another first production," Hank said. "Cleveland will always have a special place in our hearts, and we hope to bring a bigger version of the show back as we continue with Star Machine's development."
For Avery Fahey ‘26, a BW alumna who originated her lead role four years ago and carried it through every workshop and rewrite, the closing night at Playhouse Square was the culmination of her entire time at Baldwin Wallace.
"Originating a role in a new musical has always been one of my biggest dreams," Fahey said. "I'm so lucky that I get to say the very first show I ever did at BW was also my very last."
Fahey, who graduated in May, described the emotions of closing night. "I will always remember looking at my castmates in the eyes and thinking, 'We did it,'" she said. "It was the most emotional closing night I've experienced in my career so far."
The final show left a mark on everyone. Hank described the cast's reaction during the final curtain call, saying, "The actors were sobbing through the curtain call, and we were, too. We all felt so lucky to have been given this unprecedented opportunity."
New York connections, national recognition
Before the Playhouse Square run, "Star Machine" received an industry presentation on April 14 at off-Broadway's New World Stages in New York City. Gideon said the room included some of the biggest names in the business. "We had Broadway legends in attendance, including Richard Maltby Jr., David Shire and Didi Conn," he said. "Our cast can say that they've been seen by a literal 'who's who' of Broadway."
For first-year music theatre major Nadia Richardson of St. Paul, Minnesota, the showcase produced a result that most performers spend years working toward. Richardson earned representation from a New York-based talent agency after industry professionals took notice of her performance.
"It was honestly surreal," Richardson said. "They approached me after the performance to set up a meeting, and I was ecstatic. My parents were there, and I immediately went over to tell them."
In a further sign of the show's national reach, Gideon and Hank have been selected for the 2026 Johnny Mercer Foundation Young Writers Intensive, one of the most competitive and prestigious programs for emerging musical theater composers in the United States. The recognition adds to a growing list of accolades that has brought national attention to work that took root at Baldwin Wallace.
What's next for 'Star Machine'
The team is already building momentum for what comes next. The second single from the four-song "Star Machine" EP, "Welcome to LA," is out now on all streaming platforms. Watch the music video and follow "Star Machine" on social media for updates on the EP and announcements about the future of the show.
