Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Stoff.
Hi Hayley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I decided to open As A Star Performing Arts after recognizing the clear lack of accessible arts education in the Orlando area—particularly in Lake Nona and St. Cloud. After completing my master’s degree in performance at UCF and spending several years performing and teaching music and theater in Orlando, I realized that many families were traveling from one side of the city to the other just to find performing arts opportunities for their children.
Arts education has always been a deep passion of mine, and it had long been my dream to create an educational space dedicated to the arts—but for years, it felt like something so out of reach. There’s truly nothing like watching students in the community discover their own confidence and creativity through the arts, and that joy has always been what drives me.
What started as a lighthearted comment about how wonderful it would be to have a theater and arts center right here in Lake Nona quickly became something more. The overwhelmingly positive response from parents, students, and fellow educators made me realize how much our community was craving this kind of creative outlet. That encouragement gave me the confidence to take the leap and turn what once felt unattainable into reality—opening As A Star Performing Arts, a place where students can grow, express themselves, and truly shine close to home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all—it’s definitely been a journey with its fair share of challenges. When we first started, we took an empty warehouse and completely transformed it into a fully functional theater, all while keeping our shows running so our students never missed a season of performing. Along the way, we faced major construction complications and often had to hold rehearsals wherever we could just to keep things moving forward for our kiddos.
On a personal level, having been a performer for the majority of my life, the transition from performer to teacher to business owner was a huge learning curve. There’s so much more that goes into running an arts organization than I ever could have imagined, but the knowledge and experience I’ve gained along the way have been absolutely priceless.
It was stressful and far from easy, but through it all, our community truly rallied around us and made this a journey worth taking. Their support, encouragement, and willingness to lend a hand made all the difference. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the incredible people who believed in our vision and helped us bring As A Star to life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about As A Star Performing Arts?
As A Star Performing Arts is a community-driven theater and performing arts education center located near Lake Nona. We specialize in offering classes and private lessons in music, acting, and dance, as well as full-scale production opportunities throughout the year. What truly defines us, though, is our deep commitment to fostering a supportive, uplifting environment where creativity and connection thrive.
At As A Star, our goal extends far beyond teaching performance technique—we aim to build confidence, empathy, and teamwork through the arts. We believe that every student deserves a space where they feel seen, valued, and inspired, and we work hard to create that “home away from home” for children, teens, and adults alike. Our studio has become a place where lifelong friendships are formed, families get involved, and the joy of storytelling brings people together both on and off the stage.
What sets us apart is the genuine sense of community we’ve cultivated. From our youngest performers taking their first steps on stage to our advanced students pursuing professional goals, everyone here supports one another like family. Our productions aren’t just about performing—they’re about collaboration, growth, and shared accomplishment.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of the culture of inclusivity and encouragement that we’ve built. Watching our students grow—not only as artists but as confident, compassionate individuals—is the greatest reward. Every time they take the stage, they remind us why this work matters and reaffirm our belief in the power of the performing arts to bring people together.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think every step of my journey has involved taking risks. I began my career as a performer, and in that world, risk-taking is part of everyday life. Whether stepping into an audition room or performing on stage in front of thousands of people, I constantly had to put myself out there and embrace vulnerability.
When I decided to step away from performing, that was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. I worried—what if I regretted it? What if I wanted to return and couldn’t find my footing again? Performing was something I was good at, but deep down, my true passion had always been in education—helping others grow through the arts. Choosing to follow that passion meant walking away from the familiar and stepping into the unknown—and, frankly, I was terrified.
Starting my own theater, completely self-funded by my husband and me, was another huge leap of faith. It felt like jumping off a cliff and trusting that I’d land safely on my feet. There was plenty of fear and uncertainty, but I’ve learned that risk is an essential part of growth. Without it, there’s no progress, no discovery, and no reward.
Today, I get to see the incredible outcome of those risks—a thriving community theater that I’m deeply proud of, filled with programs that make a real difference in our students’ lives. And because of my own experiences, I encourage my students every day to step outside their comfort zones and take their own risks. I think that it’s often on the other side of that fear that we find the most meaningful success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asastarperformingarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asastarpa?igsh=d3dxZHJhdG1vMGEz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/171Zte748i/?mibextid=wwXIfr
