Crossroads Theatre Company presents The Genesis Festival of New Plays This Week

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Crossroads Theatre Company presents The Genesis Festival of New Plays from April 2-7, 2025 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. This year's line up includes: Pearls by Silma Sierra Berrada; in shame & in pride: a biomythography by Jamie Goodwin; The Carelessness of Love by Michael Dinwiddie; and hop tha A by James Anthony Tyler.

For decades, Crossroads Theatre has been a sanctuary for some of the world's most celebrated and decorated playwrights including Ntozake Shange, Anna Devere Smith, Richard Wesley, and Samm Art-Williams. This year marks the 35th season of the Genesis Festival of New Plays and another exciting year of ground breaking work.

Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00pm - Pearls by Silma Sierra Berrada - 2025  Winner of The Crossroads Genesis Prize for Playwriting Excellence. Caught in a cycle of eviction, Pearl does whatever it takes to put a roof over her children’s heads. But Swan, the landlord, needs to collect rent to provide for her own family. This reading is estimated at 90 minutes, with one intermission. Directed by Axel Avin Jr. Production takes place in the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Exhibition Hall, 3rd Floor.

Thursday, April 3 at 7:00pm - in shame & in pride: a biomythography by Jamie Goodwin - This reading is estimated at 90 minutes, with one intermission. Directed by Ezra Ezzard. Production takes place in the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Exhibition Hall, 3rd Floor.

Friday, April 4 at 7:00pm - The Carelessness of Love by Michael Dinwiddie - Angelina Grimké has laid plans to leave her overbearing father and escape to a new life with her lover Mary Burrill. Anna Julia, a close family friend, complicates the story by introducing a young man who she hopes will alter Angelina’s desires. As love unravels the threads of the most carefully plotted deceptions, no one can live happily ever after once the truth is laid bare. This reading is estimated at 90 minutes, with one intermission. Directed by Adrienne Williams. Production takes place in the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Exhibition Hall, 3rd Floor.

Monday, April 7 at 7:00pm - hop tha A by James Anthony Tyler - New York, 2013. During his late-night commute on the A train, Harlem native Tyrone tries to impress Niesha, his coworker at a nightclub, who just wants to read her book and pass the ride in silence. But as they travel uptown, the two forge an unlikely connection that extends beyond the confines of the subway car. This reading is estimated at 90 minutes, with one intermission. Directed by Portia. Production takes place in the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Rehearsal Hall 1, 2nd Floor.

New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) is located at 11 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Click here to read about how Crossroads Theatre Company has expanded its acclaimed Genesis Festival of New Voices and New Plays with a new award in partnership with Columbia University School of the Arts.

Founded in 1978, by Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson, Crossroads has been a sanctuary for some of the world's most celebrated and decorated artists including August Wilson, Ntozake Shange, George C. Wolfe, Joe Morton, Viola Davis and many more. To date the company has  launched 100+ productions, 50 World Premieres and introduced nearly 35 new playwrights to the global theatre canon. With existing partnerships with other theatre companies around the world, The Tony Award winning company is  a leading global ambassador for diasporic storytelling.

New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) is a transformational project that has propelled New Brunswick’s Downtown Cultural Arts District into the spotlight as the region’s most exciting and dynamic performing arts center. NBPAC features two state-of-the-art theatrical venues in the Elizabeth Ross Johnson and Arthur Laurents Theaters, dedicated rehearsal studios, collaborative work spaces for arts organizations across the region, as well as 207 residential rental apartments and public parking. With an investment of more than $170 million, the public-private partnership between DEVCO, the City of New Brunswick, Middlesex County, Pennrose, NJEDA, New Brunswick Cultural Center, Rutgers University, and New Brunswick Parking Authority is one of the most significant urban development initiatives in New Jersey.

EVENT PREVIEWS

The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "High School Musical 2 JR."

(BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents High School Musical 2 JR. on June 4-5, 2026 in the Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater. The Wildcats are back for an unforgettable summer at Lava Springs Country Club!

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Mile Square Theatre presents "7th Inning Stretch" with a twist

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's beloved annual fundraiser, 7th Inning Stretch, returns with a new look for this year inspired by the World Cup coming to New Jersey. This year’s edition takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and trades baseball for soccer, featuring seven original short plays celebrating the passion, humor, intensity, and culture of the game.

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The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "A Century on Stage: 100 Years in the Making"

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents A Century on Stage: 100 Years in the Making from June 5-7, 2026. Join them for a once-in-a-century theatrical event as they celebrate 100 years of music, memories, and moments that have shaped The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Broadway in New York City, and American culture itself.

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Premiere Stages at Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists for 2026 Play Festival

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has announced the 2026 Premiere Play Festival Semi-Finalists. The Play Festival panel and literary staff reviewed 894 submissions, an increase of 89 submissions from the previous year, before choosing the 65 Semi-Finalists. An eclectic mix of plays, the Semi-Finalists explore a wide range of topics in a variety of genres.

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Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Maurer Productions OnStage and the newly formed Maurer TheaterWorks have announced a special co-production partnership — in association with Kelsey Theatre — for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn. The ensemble comedy, written and directed by Dan Maurer, will hold open auditions on June 6-7, 2026.

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Bergen County Players to present "Kodachrome"

​​​​​​​(ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) will conclude its 93rd season with Kodachrome, a delightful and deeply moving one-act comedy by Adam Szymkowicz. Running as part of BCP's Second Stage for three exclusive performances on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary magic within ordinary lives.

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Main Street Theatre Company presents "Legally Blonde, Jr."

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Legally Blonde, Jr. on Saturday, June 6 at Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:30pm each day. Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery pink storm in this fun and upbeat adaptation of the hit film and award-winning Broadway musical.

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Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the nominations for adjudicated production categories of the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in New Jersey High School Musical Theater. Often referred to as New Jersey's version of the Tony Awards for high school musical theater, the Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in performance, direction, design, choreography, music direction, and overall production.

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The Maplewood Strollers to present a Broadway Karaoke Party on June 12th

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers present a Broadway Karaoke Party on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the theater company, begins at 7:30pm.

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Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.