Paper Mill Playhouse Wins Two People's Choice Awards

From December 1, 2010, through January 17, 2011, JerseyArts.com invited the public to vote for their favorite nonprofit arts groups in its third annual People's Choice Awards. The categories ranged from theater and performing arts centers, to museums and galleries, to symphonies and dance companies (along with many more -- there were 15 in all). Many organizations rallied their audiences to vote, and more than 6,200 people cast their ballot in this year's contest and remarkably, nearly one-third of all votes cast were for Paper Mill Playhouse. The winners were announced today online at JerseyArts.com and via email to all the voters. Recipients will formally receive their awards in a ceremony at The Governor's Conference on Tourism, held March 23-25, 2011 in Atlantic City, NJ.

Paper Mill Playhouse is thrilled to have won in the categories of Favorite Professional Theater (Equity) and Favorite Arts/Theater Camp (Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory). "What makes this award so meaningful is that it comes directly from the community that we serve," says Todd Schmidt, Managing Director at Paper Mill Playhouse. "We are so gratified that all of the efforts that our professional actors, directors, stagehands, musicians, designers and creative teams have put into our original productions are recognized in this way."

This is the second win for the Millburn theater for Favorite Professional Theater (Equity) and a first time win for the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory. "I am inspired by the recognition of Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory," comments Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director.  "Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory is core to our mission and has launched many careers on Broadway, television, film and regional theater."

Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory (June 27 to July 30, 2011) offers the unique opportunity for gifted and talented young performers, ages 10 to 18, to work at their own level and challenge themselves to achieve new goals and learn new skills.  The Conservatory is grouped into three companies, allowing each student to work on material that is appropriate for their age and skill level.  This five-week program of rigorous study allows students to enhance their individual performance potential while also developing a broad base of theatre experience and knowledge.
 
The end of the Conservatory month is devoted to rehearsals for the NEW VOICES CONCERT, performed annually on the Paper Mill Playhouse Stage. Industry professionals are invited and attend the New Voices Concert.  The theme of the 2011 News Voices Concert is "I'll Take Manhattan," a look at Broadway's love affair with its hometown.  The New Voices of 2011 concert will take place on July 29 & 30 on the main stage at Paper Mill Playhouse. Tickets go on sale March 1, 2011 at the Paper Mill Box Office (973) 376-4343 or on www.papermill.org.
 
Students from Paper Mill Playhouse's Conservatory have appeared in Broadway productions, film and television, and regional theater.  Conservatory alumni include: Laura Benanti - 2008 Tony Award winner for Gypsy, whose Broadway credits include Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, The Wedding Singer, Swing!, Anne Hathaway - Twelfth Night, Film: "Rachel Getting Married"(2009 Academy Award &Golden Globe nominee), "Bride Wars", "Get Smart", "Brokeback Mountain", "The Devil Wears Prada" and Disney's' "The Princess Diaries", Matthew Scott - Broadway: Jersey Boys and A Catered Affair and dozens more.
 
For young people who are truly serious about the performing arts, Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are exactly what you need to elevate your craft, but in order to be a part of this elite group, you must audition.

AUDITION DATES: Saturday, February 5,  & Saturday, February 12, 2011
AUDITION LOCATION: Kean University Wilkins Theatre, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Auditions are not open calls and an appointment is required. To schedule an audition appointment, call (973) 379-3636, EXT. 2133
 
For more information about the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory, visit the theater's website: http://www.papermill.org/education/summer-musical-theater-conservatory/about-the-conservatory.html
 
Following are the winners in each category:

Favorite Performing Arts Center: New Jersey Performing Arts Center - NJPAC (Newark, NJ)
Favorite Professional Theater (Equity): Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn, NJ)
Favorite Community Theater (non-Equity): Chatham Community Players (Chatham, NJ)
Favorite Art Museum: The Newark Museum (Newark, NJ)
Favorite Art Gallery: Grounds For Sculpture Galleries (Hamilton, NJ)
Favorite Symphony/Orchestra: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra - NJSO (Newark, NJ)
Favorite Choral Group: Westminster Choir (Princeton, NJ)
Favorite Opera Company: New Jersey State Opera (Newark, NJ)
Favorite Dance Company: New Jersey Ballet (Livingston, NJ)
Favorite Music Festival: Cape May Jazz Festival (Cape May, NJ)
Favorite Film Festival: Cape May Film Festival (Cape May, NJ)
Favorite Place to Take a Class in the Arts for Adults: Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (Summit, NJ)
Favorite Place to Take a Class in the Arts for Kids: Appel Farm Arts & Music Center (Elmer, NJ)
Favorite Arts/Theater Camp: Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory (Milburn, NJ)
Favorite Downtown Arts District: Red Bank, New Jersey

For more detailed results please visit www.JerseyArts.com.

 

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