Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 02/23/2026
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) has announced the appointment of Susan Speidel as the company's first Youth in Arts Director. This landmark position was established through the generous support of LONJ Trustee Shari Loe.
The Youth in Arts Director (YIAD) will play a vital role in advancing LONJ’s mission to make the arts accessible, inclusive, and relevant to young audiences.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Susan Speidel to our leadership team as the first Youth in Arts Director for Light Opera of New Jersey," said Jason Tramm, Executive Director of LONJ. "Susan’s unparalleled pedigree in arts education makes her the ideal leader to bridge professional performance with youth engagement. With the support of Shari Loe, this role allows us to deepen our commitment to the next generation."
Ms. Speidel brings a wealth of experience to LONJ, having served as the first Director of Education at the Tony Award-winning Paper Mill Playhouse. There, she created the Rising Star Awards, the Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory, and the Adopt-A-School Project.
“I am honored to step into this new role at Light Opera of New Jersey—a company I have long admired as both a performer and an educator. LONJ has established a foundation for recognizing and training young singers through its Stars of Tomorrow Vocal Competition and other programs. My goal is to build on that foundation, not only expanding young singers' knowledge of operetta and musical theatre repertoire, but also providing them with meaningful training and performance experiences. I'm delighted to be working with LONJ's leadership to plan inclusive programs that will inspire and transform these young performers as artists and as individuals,” said Susan Speidel.
Her extensive background also includes:
*Morristown Beard School: Served as Chair of the Performing Arts Department (2007–2019), directing over 35 productions.
* Higher Education: Currently teaches for the Department of Theatre at Kean University and serves as a Lecturer for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University.
* Academic Credentials: Holds master’s degrees from Kean and NYU and a doctorate from Drew University.
Acclaimed Performance Career and Recognition - An accomplished performer, Ms. Speidel has appeared in LONJ’s productions of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Ragtime. She has also been a soloist with the Indianapolis, Seattle, and Portland Symphonies.
Her contributions to the arts have earned her the NJ Governor’s Award for Theatre Education and induction into the NJACT Hall of Fame.
Strategic Vision for Youth Engagement
In this capacity, Ms. Speidel will be responsible for:
* Designing and managing school and youth-based engagement programs.
* Cultivating partnerships with youth leaders and educators across the region.
* Ensuring young audiences experience the transformative power of LONJ's artistic programming.
* Collecting qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate the program’s impact for community stakeholders and funders.
* Establishment of the LONJ Youth Ensemble designed for young singers and actors to develop their skills in a professional-level environment
Light Opera of New Jersey is a premier regional theater company dedicated to bringing high-quality operetta, opera, and musical theater to the community while fostering the development of emerging artists and engaging young audiences through innovative outreach.
EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Tour organizers for the acclaimed 80's New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL have announced a line-up change due to the unfortunate cancellation of The Motels. Bow Wow Wow will replace The Motels for some shows and Men Without Hats will replace The Motels for others. The tour comes to the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The tour's colorful lineup also features Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, and Tommy Tutone.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on August 8th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the legendary Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. Guy won his 9th career Grammy Award for 2025's Ain't Done With The Blues. Limited tickets remain.
The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is a Tribute to the Elton John, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson Trio Tours of 1970 – 1972 featuring Jeff Kazee (Southside Johnny + The Asbury Jukes), Rich Pagano (The Fab Faux) and John Conte (Southside Johnny + The Asbury Jukes).
Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will be filled with peace, pickin' and harmonies on Sunday, August 9, 2026 as Pineystock returns for a "far out" afternoon celebrating the sounds and spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Legendary producer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Rundgren is bringing his 2026 Damned If I Do Tour to the Garden Sate in August. He's got shows at bergenPAC in Englewood on August 8th; Ocean City Music Pier on August 11th; and Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on August 12th.
The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on August 12th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart charts a course through new territory at every chance possible.
BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August
(NEWTON, NJ) -- BoDeans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 2026. In honor of the anniversary, the band has a special tour planned which comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on August 14th
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Music Box at the Borgata presents The Marshall Tucker Band on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram to Headline 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has been announced as the headliner for the 2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. The free festival will be held on Saturday, August 15th on the Green. The music begins at noon and runs until 10:00pm. The lineup also includes James Langton New York All-Star Big Band, Richard Baratta Gotham City Latin/Jazz Septet, LaBamba and the Hubcaps, and Dylan Triplett.
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