NJACT Reduces Minimum Requirement for Reviewers;Plans Stronger Enforcement of Reviewer Policies

On October 14, The NJACT Board voted to reduce the minimum number of reviews a reviewer must submit each season from 4 down to 2. At the same time they voted to more vigorously enforce polcies around the number of required reviewers per member theater and the number of reviews each reviewer must submit during a season. This policy change will take place immediately.

For years reviewers have been required to submit a minimum of 4 reviews, but this commitment has made it challenging for some theater companies to find the two volunteer reviewers NJACT requires. To help make it easier for NJACT member theaters to recruit more reviewers, the NJACT board chose to reduce the required number of reviews per reviewer.

Over the next few months, representatives from NJACT will be making sure that all member theaters have their requisite 2 qualified reviewers and that those reviewers submit their required two reviews during the season. To this end, theaters will be held responsible for their reviewers fulfilling their obligation. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of the theater from any potential nominations.

All member theaters are encouraged to be sure they are in full compliance with these policies. Further more, it is the responsibility of the member theater to inform NJACT if their reviewers or NJACT representative changes.

If you are a theater representative who needs help getting new reviewers trained in order to comply with this policy, please contact either the North Jersey Liaison at northjerseyliaison@njact.org or the South Jersey Liaison at southjerseyliaison@njact.org

Perry Awards Gala Photos Available!

Photos from the 2009 NJACT Perry Awards Gala are now available online. All photos are courtesy of Ed & Sharon Allitt from VIPnMedia, a boutique photography studio that does headshots, performance photography and publicity stills. You can download digital low resolution copies for free by clicking here. High resolution copies of these photos are available from VIPnMedia for a nominal fee of $15. You may order high resolutions copies by emailing them directly at vipnmedia@mac.com.

NJACT Welcomes New Members

We would like to congratulate the following Perry Award Reviewers who have recently completed training. We welcome their assistance in helping to identify and celebrate outstanding achievements in New Jersey community theater.

Alison Cohn
Bergan County Players

Joanne Misha
Bergan County Players

Todd Schumpert
Montclair Operetta Club

Liz Twiggs
St. Anne's Stages


We would also like to welcome the following new member theaters to the NJACT family.

Readington Community Theatre
Whitehouse Station, NJ

Porchlight Productions
Glen Rock, NJ

Franklin Theatre Works Ensemble Theatre of NJ
Quakertown, NJ

Remember to Nominate Your Stage Manager

Remember, this season the Perry Award for Outstanding Stage Management is no longer awarded based entirely on a reviewer score. This award is now based on nominations submitted by either the producer or the director of the stage manager's production. Like other special awards, nominees will be considered by the NJACT Board of Directors, who will conduct a vote to determine a winner.

To nominate your stage manager for an NJACT Perry Award, you must download and complete the nomination form and send it to NJACT along with a letter nominating your stage manager. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2010. For more details, download the Review Process Manual from the NJACT website.

NJACT Spotlight:NENA Productions Theater Project - Serving The Community With Thought Provoking Theatrical Productions

Ocean Grove, a quaint little town in Monmouth County New Jersey is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also noted for its abundant examples of Victorian architecture. Over the last seven year it has also become known as the home to NENA Productions Theater Project, one of New Jersey’s most successful and progressive community theater companies. NENA productions whose acting board of directors consists of founders Nick Montessano, Arnold Texiera and Donna Glasser is now in its 7th season as a thriving NJ community theater company.

NENA Productions was founded in the fall of 2002 when they mounted The Rocky Horror Show LIVE at the Fast Lane in Asbury Park as their very first show.They completed a somewhat controversial season at that venue that included Terrance McNally's Corpus Christi, which was boycotted due to its content with threats to the venue owners for allowing the production. The 2002 season successfully closed with the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman.

In the summer of 2003 NENA was approached to produce a season at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in the town of Ocean Grove and has been the in house theater group ever since.

NENA tries hard to produce unusual pieces, some seldom done, some newly released and most with a story or lesson appropriate to the community. They have produced the works of Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and most notably Stephen Sondheim. Producing Sondheim's seldom done Merrily We Roll Along helped gain NENA recognition and critical acclaim including multiple Perry Award nominations, but their production of Sweeney Todd seemed to finally put them on the map as a successful and viable community theater. Their production of Sweeney Todd in fact earned them Perry Awards for Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical.

In 2005 when they produced The Laramie Project, NENA again found a controversial reaction from the community but started a history of post performance talkbacks by having Romaine Patterson, friend to Matthew Shepard as a guest speaker.

The community has embraced NENA’s productions of Into the Woods, Urinetown and particularly Cabaret (which was produced during Ocean Grove'sturmoil ridden year when the gay marriage issue was at the forefront in the town and the use of church related spaces was denied to same sex couples).

They produce an annual children’s show in the Jersey Shore Arts Center which is presented for free as part of the Christmas celebration at the Arts Center. In the past few years they have also traveled the children’s shows to the Monmouth County Park system.

NENA productions occasionally has readings of new scripts to showcase playwrights and offer them the chance to just “hear” their work for development. These readings occur at The Starving Artist at Days restaurant. They have also produced readings of The Normal Heart, The Most Fabulous Story and All Tied Up in Love as benefits for The Center in Asbury Park.

NENA’S 2009/2010 season opens with the much anticipated Johnathan Larson musical Rent, a show that is very close to the heart of director and producer Nick Montesanno who has seen the show on stage 33 times in five cities on both sides of the Atlantic. As a Renthead, he slept on 41st Street outside the Nederlander Theater to get $20 seats several times during the original run of the show. The cast and crew of NENA’s production of Rent recently took a field trip to see Anthony Rapp, the original Mark in Rent perform in a show he wrote about his experiences with Rent. Following the show the NENA folks chatted with Rapp and then moved on to their own celebration at Life Cafe. Rent runs Fridays and Saturdays October 23-31st at 8:00pm and Sunday November 1st at 3:00pm at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, Main St and Main Ave at the entrance to Ocean Grove. Tickets are $20 via www.ticketleap.com or by calling 732 988-1007. On Saturday October 24th there will be a post show talk back with Fredi Walker-Browne who played Joanne in the original Broadway Cast.

NJACT Proudly Announces the 2009 Perry Award Nominations

On August 1, NJACT announced the 2009 Perry Award nominations (see complete list here) in a meeting held at the Chatham Playhouse in Chatham, NJ. The meeting was attended by 50 representatives of theater companies from around the state. Prior to the nominations, members of the NJACT board spoke to give the membership an update on the upcoming 2009 Perry Awards Gala, the new website, rule changes introduced for the 2009-2010 season, and an update on reviewer training and public relations. The nominations were read aloud by the NJACT board members following the meeting.

Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play include Cranford Dramatic Club's Trip to Bountiful, Circle Players' 12 Angry Men, Chester Theater Group's On Golden Pond, Circle Players' The Clean House, Circle Players' The Goat, or Who is Sylvia, Bergen County Players' Doubt, and Circle Players' Amadeus.

If Circle Players seems to be popping up a lot on the nominations list, it's no surprise. They lead all theater companies this year with an astounding 20 Perry Award nominations spread across several plays. A close second to Circle in the nominations department is Cranford Dramatic Club and Strand Theatre Ensemble with an amazing 19 Perry Award nominations each.

Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Musical include Livingston Community Players' Seussical, Cranford Dramatic Club's Urinetown, Mystic Vision Players' The Wiz, Smiling Rhino's The Producers, Maurer Production OnStage's Man of La Mancha, The Strand Theatre Ensemble's Little Women, and Chatham Community Players' A Christmas Carol.

This year NJACT Reported that about 75 theater companies submitted over 200 shows for Perry Award consideration, which required over 400 reviews to be completed. In total over 25 theater companies were honored with nominations. Winners will be announced at the Perry Awards Gala on September 20.

NJACT Taking Reservations for 2009 Perry Awards Gala

NJACT will now accept paid reservations for the 2009 Perry Awards Gala to be held on September 20 at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, NJ. Tickets are $65 per person. To reserve your seat at the 2009 Perry Awards, download the reservation form, fill it out, and mail it to NJACT with your check. All reservations must be received by September 2. All seating is on a first come first served basis. If you want your party to sit together, all seats must be reserved and paid in full at the same time. Seating is 10 people per table. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the Doubletree Hotel. To receive a special NJACT discount on your room rate, simply tell them you are there to attend the NJACT Perry Awards. Download your reservation form here.

NJACT Holds Auditions for Perry Gala Opening Number

NJACT Perry Award Opening Number Auditions
Vocally Directed by Howard Whitmore
Staged by Barbara Greco-Brady

Monday Aug. 10, 2009- 7:30-9:30
Playhouse 22

East Brunswick Community Arts Center
715 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ

Tuesday Aug. 11, 2009- 7:30-9:30
Cranford Dramatic Club

78 Winans Ave.
Cranford NJ 07016

Seeking 9-16 Strong Singers with excellent comedic ability.Please be prepared to sing an up tempo Broadway song. Accompanist will be provided.

Rehearsals will be held on...

Thursday September 3, 2009- 7:00pm
Location TBD

Wednesday September 9, 2009- 7:30pm
Location TBD

Monday September 14 ( 9:00PM – 11:00PM ) With piano only.
MC MANUS HALL on the corner of Wood Place and Liberty Street, Linden, NJ 07036...It's right off of Highway #1 South directly behind Wendy's. There's a big sign that says Democratic Headquarters

Tuesday September 15 ( 9:00PM – 11:00PM ) With piano only.
MC MANUS HALL on the corner of Wood Place and Liberty Street, Linden, NJ 07036...It's right off of Highway #1 South directly behind Wendy's. There's a big sign that says Democratic Headquarters

Wednesday September 16 ( 7:00PM – 7:30PM ) With orchestra.
MC MANUS HALL on the corner of Wood Place and Liberty Street, Linden, NJ 07036...It's right off of Highway #1 South directly behind Wendy's. There's a big sign that says Democratic Headquarters

Sunday September 20, 2009 3:00- 3:30PM
DoubleTree Inn in Somerset NJ.

NJACT Offers Advertising Space in Perry Gala Program

NJACT is now taking orders from theater companies, businesses and individuals who wish to place an advertisement in the program for the 2009 Perry Awards Gala. The gala is typically attended by nearly 800 actors, artists and their friends and family. This is a great opportunity to congratulate a friend or family member, promote your theater's next production, or gain visibility for your business. A full page as is just $75, a half page is just $50, a quarter page is just $30 and a Perry Patron name listing is only $10. To place your order, download the order form, fill it out and mail it to NJACT with your check. Download the order form here.

NJACT Spotlight:Our Gang Players - New Jersey's Theatrical Treasure

Our Gang Players, a theatre troupe based out of Manahawkin, has been creating quality community theater for 32 years. The troupe was founded in 1977 by Nancy Gallimore and Sherry D. Schnepp as an outlet for anyone wishing to experience the joy of performing regardless of age or ability

The first show in December 1977 was performed at the Ethel Jacobsen School in Surf City. Even before the curtain fell, all 25 participants were curious about what we might choose for the next show. Subsequently, the troupe moved into the Bingo Hall at the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Company where we remained until 1991. Limited space and the growing number of children, teens and adults necessitated relocation to the historic Surf light Theatre in Beach Haven. The facility was just what was needed: professional lighting, fly rail capabilities, a much better sound system, real dressing rooms and comfortable seats. Our Gang remained there for nine years, nurturing the program and bringing life to a theatre which normally slept through the cold winter months on Long Beach Island. In the year 2000, change of ownership and management forced yet one more move upon Our Gang, this time into the historic Barnegat High School, known today as the Elizabeth V. Edwards School.

In 2006, the Our Gang Players, Inc. Board of Directors decided to expand the troupe’s production locations, to include a number of new venues. The new Stafford Township Arts Center’s Ocean First Theater allows spectacular seating for 808 patrons. In addition, the Holiday Inn in Manahawkin created an opportunity for Our Gang to offer a dinner theater experience. They also continue to hold performances in the historic town of Barnegat, either at the Barnegat High School Theater or the Elizabeth V. Edwards School.

In addition to theatrical productions, Our Gang offers the community educational opportunities including summer camps and workshops as well as a yearly production for children and teens only. One youngster who has benefited from her experience working with Our Gang Players is Kelsey Fowler presently appearing on Broadway as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins. Kelsey started her theatrical career with the Our Gang Players and now at 12 years old, Kelsey is a Broadway veteran having also appeared in The Roundabout Theatre’s Sunday In The Park With George and Grey Gardens.

Today, the troupe is 300 members strong and still growing. Auditions are posted on their website www.ourgang.org and new faces are always welcome. In the past year Our Gang has tackled three ambitious shows : Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, The Wizard of Oz and 42nd Street . This season Our Gang’s Ryan Mulholland is honored with a 2009 Perry Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Ryan can next be seen in the final show of Our Gang’s 32nd season , an elaborate production of EVITA in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Andrew Lloyd Weber Broadway hit. EVITA runs August 13-16, Thurs, Fri, Sat @ 7:30 p.m & Sat-Sun @ 2:00 p.m. at the Ocean First Theater in the Stafford Township Arts Center (STAC) located off Rt.72 East in Manahawkin, NJ.

2009-2010 Season Brings New Look and New Ideas to NJACT

NJACT has some surprises in store for the theater community as it opens the new season. Not only is the organization sporting a new website, but this season NJACT will incorporate many new rules and procedures recommended by the theater community. In April of this year, NJACT formed a Review Process Committee made up of Perry Award reviewers and representatives from leading theater companies across the state. Based on input from the committee, the NJACT board developed a series of steps to help improve the Perry Award Review Process.

Chief among the recommendations adopted was a completely new set of criteria for reviewing shows. The objective was to simplify scoring for reviewers and also help level the playing field for smaller, under-resourced theater companies. Reviewers will still score these criteria using a scale of 0-10. However, the new criteria will place more emphasis on effective storytelling, creativity and originality, use of available resources, and level of difficulty. NJACT will also adopt a new method of calculating scores, using weighted averages to give greater or lesser value to the different criteria.

Some of the other changes include increased recognition for writers, composers and directors in the Original Production categories; reducing the number of nominees in each category; altering the way reviews are submitted and managed; changing the way the Outstanding Stage Management Award is handled; and even revising the names of some of the award categories.

The rule changes are summarized on the NJACT website, but NJACT members are also encouraged to download and read the new 2009-2010 Review Process Manual in order to re-familiarize themselves with all the rules and processes.

NJACT Goes Digital, Launches NewWebsite and Adopts Social Media

NJACT and the Perry Awards are going digital! The 2009-2010 season marks not only the launch of a redesigned and expanded website, but the organization is also beefing up its presence elsewhere on the Internet. This new season will find NJACT and the Perry Awards on Twitter and Facebook. The group has even launched a YouTube Channel with video clips from the Perry Awards Gala.

The entire theater community is encouraged to follow NJACT on twitter and become members on Facebook and YouTube. The new website even has a feature called “Share.” When visitors to the website find information they want to share with their friends, they need only click the share button found in the top right-hand corner of every page and tool will appear allowing them to submit links to their favorite bookmarking or social media site.

NJACT will be experimenting with releasing information through these services over the next few months. They are great ways the theater community can stay abreast of what the organization is doing and find out how people can get involved. They are also an excellent way for you to be among the first to get the news about who has been nominated for what award.