Cape May stage

“ [http://www.capemaystage.com/ Cape May Stage] provides high quality professional Equity theatre, focused on excellence in acting in an intimate setting, to the residents and visitors of Cape May and surrounding areas, and fosters Arts Education in academic and non-traditional venues.”

Cape May Stage has operated as a professional Equity theatre since 1988. It was founded by Michael Laird, a Cape May resident and professional actor and director. For the first five seasons the theatre operated in the summer months only. Programming eventually grew to an ambitious and acclaimed 70 night season in 1992 due to popularity and demand. Over the next few years, organizational progress continued, and in 1995, leasing of the former Welcome Center (a city owned historical landmark building) as a performance site was established. (This 1853 structure is considered one of the key buildings in the Historic Landmark district by the Historic Preservation Commission.)

The organization continued to grow its budget and audience base annually over the next several years. Grant funding from the [http://www.njartscouncil.org/ New Jersey State Council on the Arts] was awarded in 1996, which allowed for further improvements to the company’s productions. In 1998, the theatre programming expanded to an eight month/six production season, to more fully serve the year-round residents and off-season visitors to the [http://www.capemay.com/ Cape May] area.

Upon the passing of Cape May Stage’s founder in early 2001, a new Artistic Director was recruited and hired to run the day-to-day operations of the theatre as well as to expand the programming and services provided to the community and its visitors. Michael Carleton achieved a high level of recognition and creativity in his first three years on board. The core audience of Cape May Stage accepted him and began to support the theatre in ever-rising numbers each season.

Cape May Stage operates from mid-May through December with over 150 performances. Shows produced are mostly traditional and contemporary works over the past three years; however, emphasis has been placed on the commissioning of new works by both established and up-and-coming playwrights.

The shows produced annually include five main stage productions plus a festival of solo performers artists where individual artists are sought to perform their own works over a two to three week period in repertory. The “Flying Solo Festival of New Works” provides an opportunity for audiences to experience more ethnically and culturally diverse productions that are created and performed by the actual playwrights from across the country.

Directors, designers, actors, production staff, and teaching artists are brought in from around the country (New York, Philadelphia, Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles) to fulfill an eight month production season and ten month Education Outreach calendar. In addition to award winning regional artists, Cape May Stage has also attracted internationally renowned actors such as Robert Prosky (Tony Award nominee) and Estelle Parsons (Academy Award winner) to take part in projects. In 2008, the theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s “The Price” which starred Robert Prosky will transfer to The Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, the nation’s oldest theatre, and thence to Theatre J in Washington D.C. to be part of a national Miller celebration. Artistic Director Michael Carleton is a regular guest director at various regional theatres around the country and a member of the Actors Studio in New York. Education Coordinator Jessica Perich regularly takes part in continuing education programs, most recently with Augusto Boal in Rio de Janeiro, to constantly bring the latest methodologies/pedagogies to the education programs.

Additionally, Cape May Stage is the only theatre company in southern New Jersey consistently promoting and commissioning new works. In addition to the annual “Flying Solo Festival of New Works” (three to four original plays per Festival), the annual production roster generally includes at least one world premiere, and several New Jersey or regional premieres. For several seasons now Cape May Stage has been able to bring a nationally renowned playwright to Cape May to work in conjunction with the company on a production of the playwright’s work. Past seasons have included Tony and Emmy Award winners and a Pulitzer nominee. Since the inception of the organization, the Artistic Director and Stage Manager have maintained a strong track record of writing and producing original works at Cape May Stage.

The high level of quality and distinctiveness of the organization’s programs are evident in the feedback received through and audience comments for each show. Productions are selected to appeal to a wide audience base allowing patrons to experience programming that is entertaining and insightful; and is something that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience, especially in South Jersey. The qualifications of the Artistic Director contribute significantly to the quality and success of the programs which are also reflected in the reviews and through awards received.

The Robert Shackleton Playhouse of the Cape May Stage is located at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in the downtown historic Cape May, New Jersey.