Dear Valued Supporters & Partners,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased to present this report on our programs, activities and financial health for our 2024 fiscal year (July 1, 2023 June 30, 2024).
As our theatre industry continues to work together to bring audiences back, one of the Alliance’s primary efforts this year was the launch of our Explore Professional Theatre Close to Home campaign to encourage audiences to discover the quality and diversity of our member theatres right in their backyards. In addition, we strengthened our member theatres through a wide range of technical assistance, learning opportunities, mini grant initiatives, and collaborative partnerships.
The Alliance’s commitment to equity and access continued with the following initiatives:
The Cultural Access Network Project providing services and resources to assist the field in making programs and services accessible to people with disabilities.
The Creating Change Network providing learning opportunities for arts managers and trustees of arts organizations to network and learn how to move forward in making their organizations equitable and just.
Our Career Accelerator Fellows Program enabling three emerging leaders of color to participate in a six month paid internship/mentorship program where they are paired with member theatres and the Alliance.
Arts Pay NJ, the state’s first compensation study for the arts sector to assist our sector in pay equity policies and practices. The Alliance spearheaded this project in collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and our state’s other arts service organizations.
This report covers these program highlights and so much more, and we hope that this report provides an understanding of the impact of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance on our member theatres and arts organizations.
We applaud and thank the staff for their innovation and dedication to advance the mission of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and lifting up the sector through guidance, support and resources.
We are extremely grateful to all who have invested in the New Jersey Theatre Alliance: our board, member theatres, arts colleagues, community partner organizations, funders, donors and sponsors. Together, we are helping to ensure the health and vitality of our professional member theatres, and the state’s arts community at large. We could not do our work without your generous support and partnership. We hope you share in our pride.
Laura Ekstrand Board Chair
Marshall Jones, III Board President
John McEwen Executive Director
About Us
New Jersey Theatre Alliance was founded in 1981 by five professional theatres on the belief that the theatre community is stronger united, not divided, and that one theatre’s success is a success for all.
Today we serve forty-four professional theatres in New Jersey and the region, representing sixteen of the state’s twenty-one counties, as well as Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
New Jersey Theatre Alliance Staff at Curtain Call 2024
The mission of New Jersey Theatre Alliance is to unite, promote, strengthen, and cultivate New Jersey’s professional theatres. We advance the theatre community by developing innovative, collaborative, and engaging programs and services for member theatres and their diverse audiences.
Our Vision
New Jersey Theatre Alliance and its members envision a field that is flourishing, collaborative, and equitable for artists, administrators, member theatres, organizations, and audiences.
Core Values Our Mission
Equity & Access
Innovation & Creativity
Collaboration & Partnership
Integrity & Accountability
The Club - George Street Playhouse
Shelley - Hudson Theatre Works
Heathers: The Musical - The Ritz Theatre Company Staff
T H E A T R E S S E R V E D
Lady Day at Emersons Bar & Grill - Vanguard Theater Company
Bridges of Madison County - Bucks County Playhouse
Grief at High Tide - Vivid Stage
36
150 COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONSULTING HOURS TO THEATRES
$866K RAISED
$22K DISTRIBUTED TO THEATRE WORKERS
300 ARTISTS SERVED
70 WORKSHOPS/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OFFERINGS
800 ARTS WORKERS PARTICIPATED IN ARTSPAY NJ
130 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED IN ARTSPAY NJ
Presenting the Star Award to The New Jersey Arts & Culture Renewal Fund Pictured Left to Right: Laura Ekstrand, Alliance Board Chair; Marshall Jones III, Alliance Board President; Lynne Toye, Executive Director of NJ Arts & Culture Renewal Fund; John McEwen, Alliance Executive Director
Curtain Call
I always look forward to attending the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s Curtain Call event. It’s a time to reconnect with my fellow theatre colleagues, celebrate the wonderful work we do in New Jersey and reflect on the transformative work the Alliance provides our field. As a theatre community, we're so fortunate to have a service organization that provides year round support through various initiatives, committees and special programs to make our state a thriving arts community. In particular this year, I was presented with an award of excellence as a marketer, and to receive that from not only my colleagues at The Growing Stage, but the entire NJTA community is an honor that makes the work we do important and vital.
– Danny Campos, Director of Marketing, The Growing Stage: Children’s Theatre of New Jersey
You would think that the NJ Theatre Alliance would be all about theater, but it is so much more! As a seasoned arts administrator of color who is deep in the trenches, the Creating Change Network has provided me with a sense of community and hope. Its innovative approach and commitment to results have made a significant difference in our entire arts community. Being part of a team that genuinely cares about making a difference is incredibly rewarding.
–ChaseJackson,ExecutiveDirector,OceanCityArtsCenter,andCreatingChangeNetworkparticipant
I've been studying race, racism, bigotry and hate since high school. It's a large part of what motivated me to a (so far) 42-year career in journalism. Still, with all I have read, reported on, learned through interviews with those impacted, and witnessed, this series of seminars was enlightening in a whole new way. Although I was aware of much of what was presented, the series gave me the opportunity to dive much deeper into DEI from the vantage point of effecting change from within an organization.Thankyoufortheopportunitytotakepart.
–DavidNahan,ArtsTrusteeLearningCohortParticipant
Breakout sessions during the 2023 Creating Change Summit
The Alliance has a strong and consistent track record of initiating programs that benefit our member theatres and then inviting the broader arts community to partner and participate in order to eliminate and break down silos. This is especially true in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
Equity & Access Creating Change Network
The Network, a program of the Alliance in partnership with ArtPride and guided by a steering committee of NJ-based arts and social justice leaders, supported the entire arts and culture field by offering programming focused on centering antiracist policies and practices within arts organizations. We offered three roundtables on key DEIA topics, and a virtual series specifically for arts trustees. Over 200 arts professionals and trustees benefited from these unique offerings.
Career Accelerator Program
In its second year, the program offered unique opportunities to 3 talented
The Career Accelerator Program has allowed us to tap into the talent and energy of a young professional in our field Ronni is a creative and insightful person who has been an asset to the organization in her time with us We are appreciative of the work that the New Jersey Theatre Alliance has done to enable us to be introduced to this group of individuals, and to provide compensation for their time with us This is a truly valuable program!
– Laura Ekstrand, Artistic Director at Vivid Stage and FY24 Host Theatre March/April for Ronni Hom
New Jersey Arts and Culture
I appreciate the NJACAC network and events as a unique opportunity to connect with other arts administrators of color from a wide variety of different arts and cultural organizations. I am currently in my first position working directly with an arts institution, so being able to learn from and network with other administrators to help expand my network and inform my work is incredibly helpful.
– Jeff Key, General Manager, coLAB Arts
The New Jersey Theatre Alliance is a true advocate for New Jersey theatre and their ongoing marketing campaign is a testament to this. New audiences are discovering everything theatres in New Jersey have to offer and we can't wait to welcome them into our spaces.
– Christina Hoffman, Director of Marketing and Audience Development, Premiere Stages at Kean University
ArtsPay NJ
The Alliance led the efforts of coordinating and launching the state’s first comprehensive compensation survey for the arts sector in collaboration with ArtPride NJ, Arts Ed NJ, Dance NJ, New Jersey Alliance of Museums, South Jersey Cultural Alliance, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Working with arts research consultants, Baker Richards, the Alliance released the results of its 2 compensation surveys and launched an innovative interactive dashboard available free of charge to all arts organizations and arts workers.
Over 800 arts professionals responded to the individual survey, and 129 organizations responded to the organizational survey, representing over 8,000 jobs. Key takeaways include data showing that NJ Arts Workers earn less than the national and state median incomes and a large number of arts workers work well over 40 hours per week without access to overtime pay; budget increases year after year at arts organizations are primarily driven by personnel costs; racial and gender-based pay gaps exist in our sector; unpaid internships persist; and many arts workers lack access to retirement and health benefits. Based on these findings, the Alliance and our partners will be offering a series of educational opportunities in FY25 to address some of these issues.
To access the report and interactive dashboard, please go to https://njtheatrealliance.org/artspay-nj/
The Cultural Access Network is a co sponsored project of New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Recognized as a role model program by the National Endowment for the Arts and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Network is a 33-year long partnership between the
The New Jersey Cultural Access Network has been instrumental in helping to ensure that New Jersey arts organizations are truly accessible to all. The CAN resources and guidance have empowered us to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can fully enjoy the festival experience. From closed captioning, Cinema for the Ears to wheelchair-accessible venues, and our food decisions, we strive to go above and beyond in making our event welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
– Lauren Concar Sheehy, Executive Director of the
Garden State Film Festival New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival®
Sunday in the Park with GeorgeAxelrod Performing Arts Center
Satellites - Premiere Stages at Kean University
Rock of Ages - Centenary Stage Company
Fences - Crossroads Theatre Company
Ella Enchanted - The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey
Cultural Access Network Project Committee
Krystle Allen, New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Bonnie Brown, Allaire State Park, Susan Coen, Consultant, Lisa Cooney, Paper Mill Playhouse, Janet Zoubek Dickson, Educator, Donald Ehman, Arts Advocate, Diane Feldman, Arts Advocate, Pamela Gaston, New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Julie Hain, South Jersey Cultural Alliance, Maureen Heffernan, Arts Advocate/Teaching Artist, John McEwen, New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Eileen Murray, Matheny Medical & Educational Center, Peri Nearon, MPA, Division of Disability Services, NJ Department of Human Services, Beth Prevor, HandsOn, Arlene Romoff, Hearing Loss Association of NJ, Cathy Roy, The Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Michael Schnoering, FAIA, Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC, Jack Tomy, Paper Mill Playhouse, Miss Ruth Williams, Writer & Low Vision/Disability Rights Advocate, Wanda Williford, The New Jersey Council for the Blind, Members Ex Officio: Allison Tratner, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Lindsay Dandeo, New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Creating Change Network Committee
Creating Change Steering Committee Chair: Donna Walker-Kuhne, NJ Performing Arts Center Steering Committee: Rachel Aponte, Visual Arts Center of NJ, Donia Salem Harhoor, The Outlet Dance Project, Vince Hall, ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, Deonté Griffin-Quick, Arts Management Consultant, Chase Jackson, Ocean City Arts Center, Sharnita Johnson, Victoria Foundation, Marshall Jones, III, Rutgers University, Eyesha Marable, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, John McEwen, New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Elizabeth Murphy, Gathering Ground, Erica Nagel, New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Adam Perle, ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, Michael Roberson Reid, Young Audiences of NJ and Eastern PA, Alysia Souder, The Institute of Music for Children, Sheldon Steele, Arts Advocate, Daria M. Sullivan, New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Talia Young, Newark Symphony Hall
Operating Budget
INCOME
Contributed: $865,767 – 93% Earned (Membership Dues, Fees for Service): $63,404 – 7%
TOTAL: $929, 171
CONTRIBUTIONS BY CATEGORY
Government: 45%
: 30%
: 8%
: 9%
: 8%
EXPENSES
Programs: $599,927 – 65%
: $137,886 – 17%
: $160,573 – 18%
TOTAL: $887,386
Donors
We are grateful to the following individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies, and organizations for their support and encouragement of our programs and events that enable us to carry out our mission.
Sustainers ($50,000+)
Grunin Foundation
The Geraldine R Dodge Foundation
Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation
The NJ Arts and Culture Renewal Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Anonymous Donor
Producers ($25,000+)
ArtPride New Jersey
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
The F M Kirby Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
Directors ($10,000+)
NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism
Diane Parker
The RSI Foundation
(RSI Foundation is a donor-advised fund of the Community Foundation of NJ that was created from the merger between Columbia Bank and RSI Bank in 2022 )
Benefactors ($5,000+)
Carolyn Ferolito
Mills + Schnoering Architects LLC
NJM Insurance
OceanFirst Foundation
The Sosland Foundation
Sponsors ($2,500+)
Bartley and Dick Brand Communications
Larry Capo and James Olson
Customers Bank
Ruth Fost
Fund for the NJ Blind Stages Consultants LLC
Lynne and Vincent Toye
Patrons ($1,000+)
Neha Bhalani, Esq
Michael Bzdak and Meredith Arms Bzdak, PHD
Rose Cali
Seth and Amy Geldzahler
Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation
Laura and Tom Hay
Carol and Harold Herbert
Michael Hurst
Jersey City Theater Center
PNC Foundation/Private Bank
Michael Schnoering and Jennifer Stark
Alec Stoll and Heather Fisher-Stoll
Elliot and Susan Stupak
Supporters ($500+)
Connie Alexis-Laona
Bucks County Playhouse
Meredith Burns
Centenary Stage
Citizens Charitable Foundation
Etta Denk
William Engel
Diane Gallo
James Heston
Supporters Cont. ($500+)
Investors Foundation
Marshall Jones, III and Chantal Jean-Pierre
Virginia Johnston
Amy King
Donald Ehman and Linda Kinsey
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Paterson Performing Arts Development Council
Jessica Sporn
The Growing Stage : The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey
Gary and Sherry Wein
Angels ($250+)
Laura Aden
Adele Adkins
American Theatre Group
Art House Productions
Jeanne and James Barrett
Andrew Binger
Marybeth Boger
Carol Cronheim
Crossroads Theatre Company
Paul Dennison
Patricia and Stewart Docherty
Laura Ekstrand and Jospeh Zawila
Gregory Erbach
Edgar Herrera
East Lynne Theater
Linda Fowler Curcio
Mark Hoebee
Sharon Karmazin
McCarter Theatre
Maryann Pascarella
Theodore Perkins
Emily Mann and Gary Mailman
Kristin Muller
Erica Plower
Stephen Schnall
Gwendolyn Ricks Spencer
Arlene Romoff
Susan Settles
Stephanie Simons Neal and David Neal
South Camden Theatre Company, Inc|
Michael Stotts and David Mayhew
Surflight Theatre
Dipan Ray
Angels Cont. ($250+)
Gayle Stahlhuth
Steve and Gail Steinher
Vanguard Theatre Company
Vivid Stage
Friends ($100+)
John Bauer
Anne Betterton
Virginia Billia
Danny Campos
Mafalda Cavanaugh
City National Bank
Fred Cordero
Brian Crowe
Laura Ekstrand and Jospeh Zawila
Janeece Freeman-Clark
Yolanda Fundora
Michael Gardiner, Jr.
Stacie Gogo
Jessica Hardy and Melverne Cooke
Sharon Harrington
Alan and Betsy Haveson
Howard Hirsch
Robert Jenista
Suzanne Klar and Marc Brummer
Mark Edward and Allison Lang
Richard Limekiller
Wendy Liscow
Benjamin Marshall
Martin Miller
Elizabeth Murphy
Rosalyn Neal
Gordon Ostrowski
Linda Pacotti
Linda Patterson
Premiere Stages at Kean University
Martin Prentice
Steve Runk
Susan Speidel
Pamela and William Starkey
Keith Strunk
Terri Tauber
Suzanne Trauth
Nina Mitchell Wells and Theodore Wells
Judith Wooldridge
Cynthia and Michael Zey
Board of Trustees & Staff
Laura Ekstrand, Chair Vivid Stage
Marshall Jones III, President
Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey
Michael Stotts, Vice Chair Paper Mill Playhouse
Michael Schnoering, FAIA, Treasurer Mills + Schnoering Architects
Janeece Freeman Clark, Secretary Vanguard Theater Company
NehaBhalani,Esq. CSGAttorneysatLaw
JosephBenincasa EntertainmentCommunityFund
MeredithBurns ArtHouseProductions
EttaDenk BankofAmerica
SethGeldzahler JLL-NortheastRegion
LauraJ Hay KPMGInsurance
CarolA.Herbert NewJerseyStateCouncilontheArts
DianeL Parker PGIMFixedIncome
KellyRyman McCarterTheatreCenter
GayleStahluth ArtsAdvocate
AlecStoll StagesConsultants
PaulWhelihan PushcartPlayers
TrusteeEmeriti
LarryCapo ArtsAdvocate
MichaelHurst ArtsAdvocate
RuthFost ArtsAdvocate
JohnWooten
Stephanie Haas Development & Grants Manager
Kat Lily Access Coordinator
Lauren Mancuso Manager of Digital Communications & Marketing
Sierra London McDonald Administrative Coordinator
John McEwen Executive Director
Erica Nagel Deputy Director
Daria M Sullivan Manager of Programs & Services
PremiereStagesatKeanUniversity
