(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company is proud to host the naming of the Mill Hill Playhouse stage, to forevermore be known as "The Larry Hilton Stage," in honor of great donor, patron, producer and friend of the company Lawrence M. Hilton. Mr. Hilton was a beacon for Passage Theatre for nearly 40 years and a steward for all art, music, theater, and education in his hometown of Trenton, NJ.
This honor is commemorated with a 6'x5' mural painted by renowned Trenton artist Dean Innocenzi that will permanently be affixed to the Passage Theatre stage entrance. This canvas was donated to the artist by Mr. Hilton's longtime friend and collaborator, the late great Mel Leipzig. Friends and supporters can contribute to the Larry Hilton Memorial fund to support Passage Theatre in his honor.
"Larry built our audience and championed Passage Theatre like few others," said Passage's Executive Artistic Director Brishen Miller. "This honor was planned before his unfortunate passing and we were so glad to celebrate him last year at our 40th Anniversary gala. Larry, if you're watching us now, Passage hopes to forever make you proud."
The naming ceremony will take place with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in attendance on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00pm at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton, New Jersey. Admission to this event will be free, with donations in honor of Hilton's legacy encouraged at the form linked here.
Passage Theatre is a professional theatre company in the city of Trenton whose mission is to create and produce socially-relevant plays and arts programming that deeply resonate with their communities. Performances are typically held at the historic Mill Hill Playhouse downtown, a 100-seat proscenium theater space housed in a converted gothic church.
