By Susan Wallner
“Let’s face it, everybody likes a bargain,” observes theatre critic Peter Filichia. “So as a result, whenever the Stages Festival happens and people realize they can bring their kids [to the theatre] for a little less money or no money at all, that really hits the spot!” The Stages Festival runs throughout March around the state and it offers not only free or reduced priced children’s tickets to performances, but free workshops and events for seniors, teens, and everyone in between.
There’s a choice of location for many of the events. “IRL: In Real Life” is a dramatic exploration of cyber-bullying, and what can happen when texting and Facebook messages go bad. This teen-oriented production by George Street Playhouse can be seen for free (with reservations) in Forked River on March 8, and in Cape May Courthouse and Mays Landing on March 10.
One of the greatest legends of West Africa, the Epic of Sunjata, or “Sunjata Kamalenya,” is presented as a completely interactive theatrical experience for all ages by the McCarter Theatre in West Deptford on March 4, Elizabeth on March 13, Newark on March 14, and Hillsborough on March 17 – again, all free with reservations.
WATCH VIDEO:
In “Sunjata Kamalenya,” audience members help create the magical world of 12th century Mali through singing, dancing, and performing.
There are far too many events to describe here, but stage fighting workshops, “improv” acting classes, a bi-lingual children’s production, and a performance workshop for ages 55 and older are all part of the Stages Festival this year. Events can be searched by location and date at stagesfestival.org.
The Festival is designed to entice people who haven’t yet ventured into their local theatres to give it a try – and to give theatre aficionados a chance to dig deeper with workshops and other events. “New Jersey’s professional theatres have so much to offer,” says John McEwen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance. “The Stages Festival serves as a month-long open-house to the state’s residents giving them a chance to see the wide variety of programming that exists right in their own back yard.”
The Festival is just one project of the NJ Theatre Alliance and its professional member theatres. A recent video produced by the Alliance describes its mission, featuring appearances by Governor and Senator Kean. Both are believers in the importance of the arts for the economy – and the value of the arts for our humanity.
WATCH VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GidRvzF8a7Q
The NJ Theatre Alliance: Growing Theatre in the Garden State
Susan Wallner is an award-winning producer with PCK Media. She is a long-time contributor to State of the Arts, now airing on NJTV Sundays at 8 pm.