(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) Centenary Stage Company closed its physical office this past Saturday, March 21 after Governor Phil Murphy declared all nonessential New Jersey businesses to close at 9:00 pm that evening. CSC was able to quickly adjust to the “work for home” format and patrons needing assist are encouraged to communicate via email, through social media messaging or though Centenary's website.
Centenary Stage Company staff were already prepared for the Governor’s announcement as Centenary University, where the company is housed, had already transitioned to an online learning format for the remainder of the semester. Foreseeing the possible closure, General Manager, Christopher Young, took the lead to transition the staff over to a “virtual office.”
“Although it certainly pains us to have to close our [physical] doors for what will hopefully be a short period of time, we are excited by the opportunities and, of course, challenges in which working remotely will present. It really forces us to think outside the box in terms of patron relations. Fortunately, we have an incredibly tech savvy staff and a slew of on-line capabilities that allow us to remain seamlessly present and available to our patrons,” Young said.
Seven productions and auditions for the Summer Musical Series were well underway when the decision came to suspend the remainder of the 2019/2020 producing season. On a brighter note, Centenary Stage Company is set to release its Summer Producing Schedule Monday, May 11 and its 2020/2021 Producing Season Monday, June 15. Artistic Director, Carl Wallnau is looking positively forward to what this summer has to offer.
“We have a summer now stocked with music, theatre, dance and arts festivities and if we don’t all get sick, there’s a heck of a season lined up and CSC is looking forward to it,” Wallnau said.
Current patrons of the remaining 2019/2020 producing season have options moving forward with their ticket purchases, including donating the cost of the ticket back to CSC as a tax-deductible donation or an even exchange once the event has been rescheduled. Account credits and refunds are options as well. Current ticket holders can email the box office with any questions at boxoffice@centenarystageco.org. Phone calls are still welcome, as message are checked daily and will be responded to in a timely manner.
The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5 PM. If mail correspondence is desired, Centenary Stage Company can be reached at 400 Jefferson St. Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Centenary Stage Company is in residence at the Lackland Performing Arts Center located on the campus of Centenary University. Centenary Stage Company can also be found across social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Like and follow to receive the latest in CSC news and special offers.
The 2019-2020 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, and CSC corporate sponsors, including Season Sponsor The House of the Good Shepherd, Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Medical Center Atlantic Health System, Home Instead Senior Care (Washington), Fulton Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.
