(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Black Box, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization, is now in the midst of re-securing the terms of their lease, which extends for at least two more years. They now need generous and immediate funding as they launch deeper into Fall '22 Season and attempt to regain footing in this complicated arts and culture climate throughout '23. They are running a crowdfunding campaign at GoFundMe with the goal of raising $50,000.
The Black Box - Northern NJ's only professional theater/performing arts school combo - pivoted during the pandemic to become a prime incubator for new and under-produced works by world-class artists. They began developing Eric Bogosian's 1+1 in NJ in November 2021; it received a Special NYC Premiere this past July, and a February '23 Off-Broadway premiere is about to be formally announced. Additionally, The Black Box's '21-'22 season included The Cleopatra Club by legendary filmmaker Paul Schrader, Ode to Joy by Broadway's Craig Lucas, and the recent world premiere production of Exposed by Beth Henley, as well as short works by John Guare and Caridad Svich.
Their unprecedented 2022-23 Season, now underway, includes revived classics IN PARTNERSHIP with the Estates of Broadway and Off-Broadway legends as well as modern plays and musicals IN COLLABORATION with the creators. Writers include: Neil LaBute, Edward Albee, I.B. Singer, Craig Lucas & Craig Carnelia, Nicky Silver, Migdalia Cruz, Daniel Handler, Sam Shepard, Ken Levine, Halley Feiffer, John Lahr, and many more. Meanwhile, master percussionist and filmmaker Billy Martin (Martin Medeski & Wood) has started The Black Box's first residency by an acclaimed artist of other disciplines.
Their performing arts school, Black Box Studios (est. 2007), currently serves over 200 students per week of all ages and backgrounds, both within the Palisade Avenue space and in select area schools. Partnerships with Englewood's POP program and other local institutions, such as The Englewood Public Library, enable diverse populations - kids, teens, adults, senior citizens, and those considered "on the spectrum" - to take advantage of our unique class offerings, private lessons, workshops, and more.
Please help them by making a donation if you can. Click here for the GoFundMe donation page. The Black Box Performing Arts Center. Inc. is a 501c3 not-for-profit tax exempt organization. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
