New Jersey Youth Theatre
New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with a business office in Westfield, NJ and Performing Arts School in Roselle Park, NJ.
Founded in 1991, New Jersey Youth Theatre has produced more than 36 main-stage productions. The summer programs alone have served more than 160,000 patrons from NJ, NY, PA, CT, and over 2,200 young performers from the State of New Jersey.
In addition to producing professional youth theatre, the company also has a School for the Performing Arts. Launched in 1992, the school provides classes in acting, dance, musical theatre and voice for students (ages 8 –18). The school currently trains approximately 110 students a week between September and May at their studio, located at 172 West Westfield Avenue in Roselle Park, NJ.
New Jersey Youth Theatre’s programs also extend to underserved youth with limited access to professional performing arts training. New Jersey Youth Theatre's veteran theatre professionals have offered several workshops each year in "audition protocol and technique" and Musical Theatre Residency programs at several inner-city public schools, including Newark's Arts High School and 13th Avenue School.
History
NJYT was founded in 1991 by husband and wife duo Theodore J. Agress and Cynthia Meryl - both veterans of stage and television, as Westfield Young Artists Cooperative Theatre (WYACT). In 2006, the company changed its name to New Jersey Youth Theatre to more accurately reflect the geographical area it serves. Mr. Agress currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Meryl serves as the company's Artistic Director.
The theatre organization has performed:
| NJYT Performances |
|---|
| Midnight Madness (2017) |
| Into the Woods (2016) |
| Cabaret (2015) |
| Oklahoma! (2014) |
| West Side Story (2013) |
| Smokey Joe's Cafe (2012) |
| Kiss Me, Kate (2011) |
| Rent (2010) |
| Sweeney Todd (2009) |
| 1776 (2008) |
| Midnight Madness (2008)[1] |
| Carousel (2007) |
| Ragtime (2006) |
| Guys and Dolls (2005) |
| Anything Goes (2004) |
| West Side Story (2003) |
| South Pacific (2002) |
| Once On This Island (2001) |
| Brigadoon (2000) |
| Oliver! (1999) |
| Carousel (1998) |
The organization's Board of Directors currently consists of:
Barry J. Roy, Board President
Mark Ciasco, Board Secretary
Marlene Kalaigian
Sue Jane Grosso
Peter L. Skolnik
Cynthia Meryl, Board Advisor
Ted Agress, Board Advisor
Affiliations
NJYT has produced its summer musicals in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ, the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, NJ and the Morris Museum's Bickford Theater.
References
- Stage director turns creative tension into high drama, nj.com, ret: Apr 27,2009