A NIGHT IN LIGHTS Annual Benefit Gala Will Come to State Theatre New Jersey
The fundraising gala at The Heldrich Hotel supports arts education programs serving 30,000+ children
State Theatre New Jersey will host its signature fundraising event, A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at The Heldrich Hotel. This highly anticipated evening directly supports STNJ's arts education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 30,000 children and families each year.
More than a celebration, A Night In Lights is a vital investment in STNJ's mission to eliminate barriers and ensure that live performance is accessible to all. Proceeds from the event make it possible to deliver transformative arts education programs, provide affordable and subsidized ticketing initiatives, and expand community outreach efforts that bring the joy of live entertainment to individuals and families across New Jersey—regardless of circumstance.
Funds raised through the Gala power impactful programs, including free tickets for veterans, subsidized admission for STNJ's flagship Performances for Schools, $10 DiscoveryTix for families enrolled in NJ's Families First Program and Medicaid cardholders, and complimentary tickets for New Jersey charities. Through these initiatives, STNJ continues to create meaningful, inclusive arts experiences that inspire, educate, and connect communities.
This celebration of the performing arts in New Jersey will feature live entertainment, excellent food, signature cocktails, and silent and live auctions, along with STNJ's annual Mission Drive—an opportunity for guests to directly support State Theatre's education and community engagement programs. As part of the celebration, STNJ will present its inaugural Spotlight Awards, recognizing artists, technicians, and cultural leaders whose work expands access to the arts and strengthens community connection across New Jersey. This year's honorees include acclaimed jazz vocalist, producer, and educator Svetlana Shmulyian—founder of STNJ's Swing Makes You Sing Jazz Residency program and a passionate advocate for arts education—and Craig Werner, Master Electrician and Lighting Designer, whose decades of service have helped shape the Theatre's artistic excellence. Werner will receive the Legacy Spotlight Award in recognition of his enduring impact.
Co-chaired by Johnson & Johnson alumnae Eileen Harkins and Alma Scott, State Theatre New Jersey's A Night in Lights brings together community leaders, philanthropists, arts advocates, and theater-lovers on May 30 for an unforgettable evening with a powerful purpose.
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