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The Theater Project presents THINK FAST short play competition online

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 02/02/2025

Theatergoers from all over North America will have the chance to enjoy and be a part of live theater from the comfort of their own homes as voters in THINK FAST, a virtual short-play competition presented online by The Theater Project, February 28 – March 1, 2025.

They will see seven plays running no longer than 15 minutes. After each of the three performances, audience members will vote for their favorite play. The play with the most votes receives the Audience Favorite award in a virtual ceremony following the final performance, when a panel of judges will also present the winners in four categories: Judges' Favorite ($500 prize), Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.

Works are from seven playwrights (Ellen Evans-Wickberg, Kim Ferse, Leonard Goodisman, Andrew Riddles, Jack Rushton, Michael Towers, and Christopher Zaczek). The playwrights are competing for a $500 prize.

THINK FAST takes place Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1 at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 2 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $15 and available for purchase online. Buyers also will receive a link to a live post-broadcast meet-and-greet session, during which they may chat with the playwrights, actors, directors, and event organizers.

“By holding this competition online, we’re able to bring live theater into homes throughout the country and beyond,” said Mark Spina, artistic director of The Theater Project, a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for new work. “It allows us and our audiences to meet actors, directors and playwrights well beyond the tri-state region."




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The following plays are the 2025 THINK FAST finalists:

Founded in 1994 and based in Union, The Theater Project introduces New Jersey audiences to new plays and supports rising playwrights and theater artists. It develops new audiences for theater by service to the community, providing programs for children, and using theater as a forum to address current issues. 




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.

The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system. 
Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce encore performances of their production of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Following a sold-out run of the show in downtown Morristown earlier this year, the original cast and production team have partnered with Chatham Borough to present an encore weekend July 11-12, 2026 at the Stanely Center.

Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"

(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.

Main Street Theatre Company presents "The Music Man JR."

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents The Music Man JR. across two weekends from July 11-19, 2026. There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian in this adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway classic.

Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.

The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
Iron Mountain Stage Company presents "46 Plays For America

Iron Mountain Stage Company presents "46 Plays For America's First Ladies"

(RINGWOOD, NJ) -- Iron Mountain Stage Company presents 46 Plays For America's First Ladies from July 11-19, 2026. A biographical, meta-theatrical, genre-bending ride through race, gender, and everything else your history teacher never taught you about the founding of America.
"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chip and Gus, a comedy with balls will be presented at The Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory. The play is performed, directed, and created by John Ahlin & Christopher Patrick Mullen. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann

The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 summer season will begin with a bang with a production of Having Our Say, Emily Mann’s 1995 Tony Award-nominated drama about "two 'maiden ladies' with century-old stories to tell", July 11-21, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theatre.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Shrek: The Musical

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


My Fair Lady

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


IHCA-NJ presents Natya Darpan 2026

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 12:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


Shrek: The Musical

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ



 

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