NJ Theatre Alliance Moves to Morristown

New Jersey Theatre Alliance ("The Alliance"), the service organization for the state's professional theatres, has relocated from West Orange to 7 King Place in Morristown, the Mayo Performing Arts Center's ("MPAC") annex.

"We are thrilled to have moved to Morristown," said Executive Director John McEwen. "Morristown is full of rich artistic and cultural experiences, from music and theatre, to food and fashion. It is an historical landmark and a cultural destination, full of energy and diversity, and we're looking forward to becoming a contributing member of the community."

The Alliance serves the 31 professional Equity producing theatres of the state, including Paper Mill Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, Writers Theatre of New Jersey, and Bickford Theatre at Morris Museum. Its member theatres are both large and small with a wide variety of repertoires, each a fully functioning business that pays its staff and artists (designers, technicians, directors, and actors). Through their programming, these theatres inspire, challenge, and entertain about one million theatre-goers annually, and enrich communities through outreach programs and arts education.

"All of us at MPAC are thrilled to welcome the Alliance to our annex," said Allison Larena, President and CEO. "The Alliance's presence in Morristown is further evidence that Morristown continues to grow as one of the most vibrant arts communities in New Jersey. The Alliance is an invaluable resource for so many New Jersey arts organizations, and we look forward to partnering with them on new initiatives and further enhancing the programs and services we provide our audiences."

Although most of the Alliance's services and programs are tailored for its member theatres, the Alliance has some far-reaching public programs. The Stages Festival, which offers dozens of free and deeply discounted performances and theatre programming, happens every March in community venues throughout the state. Alliance member theatres offer performances and script readings of new work in their theatres, or take their programming on the road and into community gathering places like schools, libraries, and senior centers.

Other public programs include NJArtsTix, which offers tickets to performances at member theatres and at presenting theatres (such as MPAC), with discounts of 25% and more. NJPAC Stage Exchange, a commissioning program which the Alliance runs in partnership with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, lets the public play a role in the development of new plays by prominent playwrights.

In conjunction with Atlantic Health's Healing Arts program, the Alliance produces Healing Arts: Caregivers Stories, a professional dramatization of real-life stories by and about caregivers. The Alliance also brings together the playwrights in Matheny Medical and Educational Center's Arts Access program with Premiere Stages at Kean University, allowing the playwrights, who have severe developmental disabilities, to see their works come to life on stage.

The Alliance will hold its annual celebration, Curtain Call, at The Westin Governor Morris, on the evening of October 23rd. The public is invited to join the NJ theatre community in honoring Atlantic Health for its support, and the 33 artistic directors of Alliance member theatres, for their vision and artistry. Contact Ruth Zamoyta at rzamoyta@njtheatrealliance.org or (973) 731-6582 for tickets and details.

Visit the Alliance website, njtheatrealliance.org, to learn more about professional theatre in New Jersey.

New Jersey Theatre Alliance was the first statewide service organization for professional, not-for-profit theatre companies in the United States, and is a leader in developing model programs that unite, promote, strengthen, and cultivate professional theatre in New Jersey. Funding for New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, is provided in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, as well as contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations including the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Bank of America, Prudential Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

Photo by Anthony Scareon

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