(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) is thrilled to announce its 2024-2025 season, a dynamic lineup of performances and festivals that celebrate the power of the arts in bridging communities. This season promises an eclectic mix of theater, dance, and music, featuring artists from across the globe. Highlights include the Global Music Series, the Garden State New Play Festival, the annual NJ Voices International Theater Festival, and the highly anticipated main stage production of The Government Inspector.
“Our 2024-2025 season is a testament to the belief that art is a universal language that transcends barriers and unites us all,” said Olga Levina, Executive Producer of JCTC. “In the world of constant distribution, we aim to create a space where diverse voices and stories come together, fostering understanding and connection within us and among our communities.”
JCTC is also excited to introduce a new membership model, Global Arts Passport, designed to make the arts more accessible to everyone. With two membership tiers, Regular and Premium, members can enjoy a wide range of benefits, including free or discounted tickets to most performances, exclusive events, and special discounts on classes and other offerings. Membership Options: Regular Membership ($49, $29 for students with valid ID) Includes tickets to most performances (seated at the theater’s discretion), discounts on events not included in the membership, a 10% discount on select theater classes, and an invitation to one annual networking event.
Premium Membership ($99, $49 for students with valid ID) Provides tickets to any performance (excluding fundraisers and VIP dinners), exclusive invitations to VIP events, reserved seating at certain events, meet & greet opportunities with artists, premium member events, and a 20% discount on select theater classes.
Premium members also receive discounts on VIP passes to the Voices International Festival and fundraising events. Levina added, “Our new membership model is designed to welcome more people into our vibrant arts community. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts, and these memberships make that possible.” For full details about the benefits of membership, click here.
Here is the current lineup for the 2024-2025 JCTC season:
Theatre & Dance
Self Help | PANOPTICON (USA/Greece) on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 6:00pm. Elevate your dance practice with a professional workshop led by renowned choreographers Charly & Eriel Santagado (USA) and Vasiliki Papapostolou (Greece). This exclusive session offers dancers the chance to learn from international talents, exploring innovative techniques in an inspiring, collaborative environment.
Self Help | PANOPTICON on Friday, September 20, 2024 & Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 8:00pm. Join them for a compelling double feature with Self Help and PANOPTICON. Explore the intricacies of mental health and the dynamics of therapy in Self Help, followed by a provocative examination of surveillance and control in PANOPTICON. These performances promise a profound and visually stunning experience.
Theatre & Dance
The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus by BREAD + PUPPET (USA/Canada/International) on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 7:00pm. Jersey City Theater Center welcomes the legendary Bread & Puppet Theater for The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus. Dive into a riotous and colorful world where stilt dancers, fantastical papier-mâché creatures, and a lively brass band create a dazzling spectacle of protest and celebration.
Festivals
IMAGINE FEST 2024: Honoring Grigory Gurevich, the Artist (USA) on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:00pm. Honoring Grigory Gurevich, the Artist! Celebrate the life and work of renowned artist Grigory Gurevich, featuring a retrospective of his sculptures, paintings, and performance pieces. Experience an evening filled with creativity, inspiration, and a tribute to one of Jersey City's most influential artists.
Symphony Of Grace | Magic of Music and Dance (USA) on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 7:30pm. Enjoy a breathtaking performance that transcends boundaries, blending classical compositions with contemporary choreography in a celebration of creativity.
The Dance of Thought and Spirit | An Evening of Poetry and Dance (USA) on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 4:00pm. An enchanting evening of poetry and dance. Immerse yourself in a captivating fusion of words and movement, exploring the profound connection between thought and spirit.
Stories from Ukraine’s War Zone in Photos | Fighting for Kherson (Ukraine/USA) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7:30pm. Experience the powerful and moving exhibition, IMAGINE FEST 2024: Stories from Ukraine’s War Zone in Photos / Fighting for Kherson. Explore striking images that capture the resilience and bravery of those on the front lines.
Kholstomer by Leo Tolstoy / Theatre (USA/Uzbekistan) on Thursday, November21, 2024 at 7:30pm. A theatrical adaptation delving into themes of freedom, identity, and societal injustice, as seen through the eyes of a horse named Kholstomer.
Honoring Grigory Gurevich, the Artist | Closing Night (USA) on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 7:00pm. The closing night of IMAGINE FEST 2024 honors the life and legacy of renowned artist Grigory Gurevich. Celebrate his creativity and influence with an evening of captivating performances, art installations, and heartfelt tributes.
Theatre & Dance
Verses@Work by Malik Work (USA) on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7:00pm; October 27, 2024 at 4:00pm. This evocative performance blends spoken word with dynamic movement to explore themes of identity, resilience, and social justice.
Mandela & the Madalas by Marcus Mabusela (South Africa) on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:30pm; Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 5:30pm. Delve into the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela through the eyes of the Madalas—wise elders who reflect on their shared history and struggle.
Global Music Series
National Hispanic Heritage Month Concert (USA/Cuba) on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 7:30pm. Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month at JCTC with a vibrant evening of music and culture. Experience a dynamic concert showcasing the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Hispanic world.
Theatre & Dance
The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol / Comedy / Modern Adaptation (USA) on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7:30pm; Saturday, March 29, 2025; Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 4:00pm; Thursday, April 3, 2025; Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 4:00pm. Get ready for a riotous ride with The Government Inspector! This modern adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic comedy delivers sharp wit and contemporary flair. Don’t miss your chance to experience this timeless farce with a fresh twist!
Theatre & Dance
The Florence Foster Jenkins Schubertiade Review (USA) in March 2025 (TBA). Step back into the world of the indomitable Florence Foster Jenkins with The Florence Foster Jenkins Schubertiade Review. Witness an unforgettable evening that celebrates the life and legacy of the infamous soprano, told with humor, heart, and an infectious sense of joy.
Festivals
The Garden State New Play Festival: Bridging Art and Community (USA / South Africa) from Thursday, May 1 - Sunday, May 4, 2025 and May 8-11, 2025. Experience the inaugural Garden State New Play Festival, co-presented by Montclair University and the New Jersey Play Lab. Celebrate New Jersey’s creative spirit with powerful new theater, staged readings, and insightful discussions.
NJ Voices International Theater Festival (International) in June 2025 (TBA). Discover a world of storytelling at the annual NJ Voices International Theater Festival. Celebrate bold, original works from around the globe that challenge, inspire, and entertain.
Theatre & Dance
MIGRANTS by Los Escultores del Aire (USA/Catalonia-Spain) on Saturday, Mar 1, 2025 at 7:30pm. Experience the transformative power of movement with MIGRANTS by Los Escultores del Aire. Delve into themes of migration and identity through mesmerizing dance and innovative choreography.
Theatre & Dance
Red Firecrackers: A Mesmerizing Celebration of the Upcoming Lunar New Year | NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY (USA/China) on Sunday, Dec 15, 2024. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Red Firecrackers, a vibrant showcase of traditional and contemporary dance by the NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY. Immerse yourself in dazzling choreography and colorful costumes that honor cultural heritage.
For more information on the upcoming season, to purchase tickets or to become a member, please visit Jersey City Theater Center’s website at www.JCTCenter.org.
Jersey City Theater Center is supported by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by Jersey City Arts & Culture Fund, I Love Grnvlle, GRID Real Estate Brokers & Advisors, Healthier JC, Princeton Area Community Foundation and BLDG UP.
Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organization committed to inspiring conversations about important issues of our times through the arts. Co-founded by Executive Producer Olga Levina, an immigrant from Belarus, Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) produces and presents universal yet locally relevant works, emphasizing social justice and human rights. Since 2006, JCTC has provided a platform for all artistic voices to be heard in Jersey City, with the aim of sparking meaningful cross-cultural dialogue that helps build a greater understanding, mutual respect and better communities in New Jersey.
Programming made possible by numerous supporters, including the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Hudson County, the City of Jersey City, and the Office of Cultural Affairs.
