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Inaugural bergenPAC High School Musical Awards to Take Place May 22nd

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 01/25/2023


(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Move over Tonys, a new award show is taking centerstage this Spring. The inaugural bergenPAC High School Musical Awards will celebrate outstanding performances from schools across the region.

“At bergenPAC we want to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of all students in the northern New Jersey region,” bergenPAC Executive Director Alexander Diaz said. “The stars of tomorrow will shine brightly on our stage today.”

The ceremony will be held at bergenPAC on May 22 and feature select live student performances.

Schools or individual students can register to participate in the awards program. bergenPAC’s professional faculty will attend their performance and provide feedback to help the students develop as artists. Participants will then be considered for nominations at the awards ceremony.

Diaz directs The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC’s annual summer musical, which draws teens from across the region to fill the acting and production roles. Its 2017 West Side Story production starred Clifton native Rachel Zegler as “Maria.” Steven Spielberg later picked her to reprise the role in his 2021 film remake.




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bergenPAC summer musical alumni have also gone on to appear in TV shows like Orange is the New Black and attend top musical theater programs, including NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Montclair State University.

For detailed information on the registration process, click here or email [email protected].

Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey. Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat bergenPAC is the area’s cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that, through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and main theater presented shows, reach more than 30,000 students and community youth annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, “hands-on” training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, members, and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community.

Photos Courtesy of bergenPAC




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition from July 30 through August 1, 2026. This is a 60-minute, kid-friendly stage adaptation of the classic 1939 film. It follows Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as a tornado sweeps them to Oz. Joined by new friends, Dorothy must outsmart the Wicked Witch to ask the Wizard for a way home.

CDC Theatre presents Stages of Madness

(CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre presents Stages of Madness from July 30 to August 1, 2026. This a slightly unhinged night of original works by emerging and established playwrights.
Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory presents "New Voices of 2026: On Vacation"

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory presents New Voices of 2026: On Vacation at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University. This is a world-premiere, full-scale concert that takes audiences on a musical journey around the world. Three performances take place over July 31 and August 1, 2026.
Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents "Annie"

Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents "Annie"

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents its Summer Theater Program's production of Annie from July 31 through August 2, 2026. The production celebrates the program's 15th anniversary and highlights bergenPAC's commitment to nurturing young talent and providing outstanding arts education within the community.
North Star Theater Company presents "The SpongeBob Musical"

North Star Theater Company presents "The SpongeBob Musical"

(HAMBURG, NJ) -- North Star Theater Company brings the colorful world of Bikini Bottom to the stage with Nickelodeon's The SpongeBob Musical, running July 30 through August 2, 2026 at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.

Mile Square Theatre's summer program students present Roald Dahl's "Matilda Jr."

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's summer program students present Roald Dahl's Matilda Jr. from July 31 to August 2, 2026.  The summer program includes students aged 7-15.
Playwright Tom Cavanaugh Launches The Book Writers Group with Staged Reading Showcase on August 2nd

Playwright Tom Cavanaugh Launches The Book Writers Group with Staged Reading Showcase on August 2nd

(BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- The Brook Writers Group, a newly formed theater collective dedicated to developing original theatrical works in Central New Jersey, will present its inaugural Staged Reading Showcase on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at the historic Brook Arts Center (10 Hamilton Street) in Bound Brook. The event begins at 5:00pm.

Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "Guys and Dolls"

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents Guys and Dolls from July 29-August 8, 2026 with performances at 8:00pm. Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. The production is directed by Matt Muccigrossi.
Magnolia Productions presents "Are The Bennet Girls Ok? "

Magnolia Productions presents "Are The Bennet Girls Ok? "

(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents Are The Bennet Girls Ok? across two weekends from July 31 to August 8, 2026 at The Theater at The Navesink Library. This is an adaptation of Pride & Prejudice by Emily Breeze.

Gas Lamp Teens present "Fame: The Musical"

(GLEN RIDGE, NJ) -- Gas Lamp Teens present Fame: The Musical on August 7-8, 2026 at the Ridgewood Avenue School. Fame has inspired generations to fight for fame and light up the sky like a flame! 
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Vivid Stage Summer Solos: "The Call List" by Brian James Pollak

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ


Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore

Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Mala Aria

Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 1:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ


NYC Musical Marathon & Jack Dallas presents 1756 - Making America

Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Divinity Hall @ Centennial AME Zion Church
5 Lewis Place, Closter, NJ


Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore

Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ



 

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