New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Announces 2026 Summer Educational Programming

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 11/20/2025

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ)'s Education Department is excited to unveil the newly rebranded Summer Shakespeare Academy, the refreshed identity for its esteemed summer education programs. Building on the institution's existing Academy — which currently serves adult students — STNJ is expanding its offerings with the Summer Shakespeare Academy, featuring programs such as Shakespeare's Players, Shakespeare's Players Jr., and Camp Shakespeare, the Theatre's newest educational initiative.

SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYERS (formerly Senior Corps, Ages 14-18): July 6 – July 24, 2026. Shakespeare's Players is a three-week summer acting intensive for teens who are serious about growing as performers. Building on the skills introduced at the Junior level, Shakespeare's Players features a special focus on Shakespeare and the individual actor. Classes focus on acting, text analysis, characterization, bringing Shakespeare's language to life through voice and movement, audition techniques, and more!

SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYERS, JR. (formerly Junior Corps, Ages 10-14): July 27 – August 7, 2026. Shakespeare's Players, Jr. is a two-week summer acting program for young artists ranging from first-time performers to budding stars. The focus of Shakespeare's Players, Jr. is ensemble — and each two-week session culminates in a final presentation that involves the entire group performing a theatrical version of a piece of classic literature.

CAMP SHAKESPEARE (Ages 6-9): August 10 – August 14, 2026. Camp Shakespeare is a one-week program designed for any and all, ages 6 – 9. Over the course of a week, participants will explore Shakespeare through creative movement, storytelling, and beginner-friendly acting activities. With plenty of laughter, teamwork, and guidance from the Shakespeare Theatre Education staff, students will discover the joy of the stage while building confidence — all in a supportive, high-energy environment perfect for budding actors.

To learn more about the Summer Shakespeare Academy or to enroll in these exciting programs, please visit their website at ShakespeareNJ.org or contact the Education Department at (973) 845-6742.  




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is one of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving approximately 75,000 adults and children annually. It is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated to Shakespeare's canon and other classic masterworks. Through its productions and education programs the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as contributions from numerous other foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individuals.

Additional support for the Theatre's education programs is provided in part by the Hearst Foundations; Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest; Marta and David Black; the Jack K. Ayre and Frank Ayre Lee Theatre Foundation; the Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation; the Turrell Fund; the Nora Roberts Foundation; and the John Bickford Foundation.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



EVENT PREVIEWS

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents their 2026 One-Act Play Festival from August 28-29. The festival features one-act comedies from practicing and promised playwrights from around the world!

George Street Playhouse presents "Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares - a comedy show with original songs from August 26-30, 2026. Direct from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements comes this one-woman comedy show from the mind of Tony Award® winner Laura Benanti.

Spring Lake Theatre Company presents "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret"

(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre Company presents two performances of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret from August 29-30, 2026. This is a one-act play from the experiences of America's longest war, blending heartfelt storytelling with a unique cast of combat veterans and military family members.
Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31

Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- In 2022, as the world was finally coming out of COVID-19, Aaron Lazar was invited to return to the stage to lead the cast of The Bridges of Madison County, playing opposite Kate Baldwin at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. Just days into rehearsal, Lazar received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. Thus began Lazar's "extraordinary" journey.
Light Opera of New Jersey to Hold Auditions for "Amahl and The Night Visitors"

Light Opera of New Jersey to Hold Auditions for "Amahl and The Night Visitors"

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey will hold auditions for Amahl and the Night Visitors, a heartwarming holiday opera, on August 27th and September 3rd from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on September 5th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Auditions will be in Basking Ridge. Registrants will be advised of exact location after registering. All roles are opened and paid.

Haddonfield Plays & Players presents "Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis"

(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- What happens when fantasy meets 50-something reality? Find out when Haddonfield Plays & Players presents Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis from September 4-6, 2026. This is a sharp-witted, satirical play written by Amy Ferris and adapted from her best-selling memoir.
Fifth Annual Broadway in the Park concert to Take Place September 7th

Fifth Annual Broadway in the Park concert to Take Place September 7th

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- SOMA Stage presents the fifth annual Broadway in the Park concert on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 at the Memorial Park Amphitheater in Maplewood. This year's concert, Broadway in the Park: Let's Rock!, features Broadway's biggest rock and pop hits from the 1950s through today. Showtime is 4:30pm.

East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey Premiere of "Lunar Eclipse" by Donald Margulies

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey Premiere of Lunar Eclipse by Donald Margulies from August 27 through September 20, 2026. In the play, George has been waiting for this night – the seven stages of a lunar eclipse are viewable from the farm that he shares with his wife Em – and she decides to join him in taking in the view.

Nutley Little Theatre presents "A Doll's House, Part 2"

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Fifteen years after leaving her family and stagnant marriage, Henrik Ibsen's Nora returns home in Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House Part 2. Nutley Little Theatre presents this sequel to Ibsen's classic play across three weekends from September 11-26, 2026.
Center Players to present "The Realistic Joneses" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center

Center Players to present "The Realistic Joneses" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Center Players of Freehold will present The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno as its first Signature Series production of the 2026-27 season. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Michael Tota, the production will run from October 2-4 at the Herbst Theatre at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, marking the first time Center Players has performed in the venue.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


All The Devils Are Here

Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 2:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Sunday, August 23, 2026 @ 2:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ



 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info