Here is the morning update from New Jersey's arts newswire. We regularly publish between 8-15 new articles and news reports each day. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!
If your arts organization sends out press releases, make sure you have [email protected] on your media list for coverage.
theatre
Garden State New Play Festival Accepting Submissions for 2026 Festival 
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Garden State New Play Festival (GSNPF), a partnership between Jersey City Theater Center and The New Jersey Play Lab, is an innovative new play development festival celebrating the unique way in which art can impact, unite, and inspire. The deadline for submissions is August 15th and requests for full scripts will go out by September 15, 2025.
A New Musical, "Rocky Bumps," to Have Staged Reading in Haddonfield 
(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- An original musical, Rocky Bumps, will hold a staged reading on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the Haddonfield Theater Arts Center Studio. The musical is a coming-of-age tale steeped in romance, risk, and retro charm. The reading begins at at 2:00pm.
SoHo Playhouse presents Finalists for 2025 Lighthouse Series 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- SoHo Playhouse is thrilled to announce the six finalists for the 2025 Lighthouse Series, running July 6–20, 2025. The Final Round includes Brody Went Missing by Matt Stephens; How to Build a Gate by Electra Artemis; Golem Owned a Tropical Smoothie by Ethan Crystal and Garrett Poladian; The Ghost of Bob Dylan Shows One of Us Greatness by Annie Stein; Hungry Women by Melissa Maney; and Hot Pussy Time Machine by Alexander J. Daniels.
Classic American Tales presents "The Specialist" and "The Wizard of Oz" this week 
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- This week, Classic American Tales presents two different events in two different Cape May locations: The historic Dormer House B&B and Rea's Farm.
WHATCo presents Free performances of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" 
(KEARNY, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) is bringing the Bard back to West Hudson this summer! William Shakespeare's The Tempest will be performed in Arlington Depot Park in Kearny on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 7:00pm and in East Newark's new Riverfront Park on Sunday, July 20 at 6:00pm. Both performances are free of charge.
music
Reese Van Riper Releases Grit-Soaked EP "The American Dream" - A Swamp-Rock Wake-Up Call 
New Jersey's high priests of swamp rock, Reese Van Riper, return with The American Dream, a five-song fever dream that drags the myth of Americana through a backwoods dive bar and leaves it bleeding on the floor. The new EP is a tongue-in-cheek, gut-punching journey through Middle America's darkest corners — equal parts patriotic nightmare and protest hymn. Appropriately, the EP was released on July 4th.
"Every Note She Sings is Perfection!" Linda Eder LIVE! at Axelrod PAC 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Linda Eder at Axelrod Performing Arts Center on June 26, 2025.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Golden Cage" by Cranston Dean 
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Golden Cage," the latest single from Cranston Dean.
art
Akwaaba Gallery presents Martryce Roach Solo Exhibition Reflecting the Great Migration 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Akwaaba Gallery is proud to present "Patterns: People in Transition," the second solo exhibition of New Jersey born artist, Martryce Roach. The exhibition features a collection of brand new paintings, ranging in size, that explore the rich history of the Great Migration and its synergy with blues music. The exhibition will be on view through August 15, 2025 with an opening reception on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
film
Fall 2025 New Jersey Film Festival Preview 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Film Festival returns to Rutgers University September 5 through October 10, 2025. As it has done the last few years, the festival will include select in-person screenings with all films available via video on-demand (VOD) as well. There are also a few screenings available only via VOD. Twenty films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere (Middlesex County).
community
Monmouth County Fair Offers Family Fun 
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- The scent of cotton candy! The thrill of the rides! The cheers from the crowds! There's something magical about the Monmouth County Fair. Find out for yourself when this five-day event celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Wednesday-Sunday, July 23-27, 2025 at East Freehold Showgrounds (Kozloski Road) in Freehold.
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from June 29 to July 5, 2025 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from June 29 to July 5, 2025. Each week we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 10 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Union).
Behind the Curtain: Ten Years of Covering the Arts and Battling MS 
Gary Wien, the publisher of New Jersey Stage, details his last decade - a period in which he was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive MS. He describes his symptoms, treatments, and why it is difficult for him to attend events. He also offers a few suggestions for how to improve accessibility for people with "invisible disease" and talks about the growth of New Jersey Stage during this period of time and the wine magazine that was forced to be put aside.
FEATURED EVENTS
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or region of New Jersey
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EVENT PREVIEWS
The Chatham Community Players presents Reading of "In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play" by Sarah Ruhl
November 16, 2025
The Glorious Sounds of Brass to Take Place in Trenton
November 16, 2025
Vivid Stage Brings Pop-Up Theatre: Fiona's Café to Serra Doce in Summit
November 18, 2025
The Newton Theatre presents Colt Ford
November 20, 2025
Jersey City Theater Center to Open 20th Anniversary Season with Brent Birckhead Jazz at White Eagle Hall
November 20, 2025
StocktonPAC presents Swift Nation - Taylor Swift Tribute
November 20, 2025
Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts Hosting Open House on November 20th
November 20, 2025
NJPAC presents Carlos Varela with special guest Diana Fuentes
November 21, 2025
Jonas Brothers, David Bryan, and The Isley Brothers among New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2025
November 21, 2025
The Newton Theatre presents Yesterday, A Tribute to The Beatles
November 21, 2025
