Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 04/09/2026
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents its 2026 New Jersey One-Act Play Festival, featuring five world premiere one-act plays by New Jersey playwrights, from April 24-26, 2026 at duCret Center of Art. The annual festival continues Dragonfly's mission of championing local artists, producing new work, and bringing diverse, community-centered storytelling to the stage.
Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux noted that the festival remains a cornerstone of Dragonfly’s artistic vision. “We believe new plays are essential to the future of theater,” she said. “This festival gives New Jersey writers a platform, connects artists with audiences, and reminds us that live theater is one of the most immediate ways to build empathy and community.”
Performances will take place Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at 8:00pm, and Sunday, April 26 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $20–25 and are available for purchase online at the door. The duCret Center of Art is located at 1030 Central Avenue in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Following the Friday evening performance, audiences are invited to stay for a special talkback with the playwrights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the opportunity to engage directly with the writers behind these world premieres.
“In these times, it’s difficult to find places that celebrate new works,” said playwright Benjamin V. Marshall, writer of Elizabeth, NJ. “Dragonfly is tremendous because it takes chances with producing new plays, and it also celebrates the communities who comprise their audiences.”
This year’s festival features:
* Unlove Me by Charles Grayson, directed by Andrew Rodriguez: A couple terribly in love visits a relationship counselor and tries to explain why they need help.
* Reunion by Stephen Patrick, directed by Matt Holbert: An elderly woman in a nursing home is depressed until she is given a possibly magical laptop.
* A Grave Mistake by Susan Cain McQuilkin, directed by Aidan O'Rourke: A man arrives in a wooded area with a body in a tarp. As he digs a grave, the tarp begins to move.
* Elizabeth, NJ by Benjamin V. Marshall, directed by Kat Perez and Aaliyah Whitfield: The story of two immigrant women waiting to see loved ones at a detention center.
* Game Company by and directed by Catherine LaMoreaux: A Baby Boomer and a Gen Z gamer are forced to work together at a video game company.
The productions feature a talented ensemble cast including Theresa Copeland, Kamirah Owens, Mark Vallaro, Whitney Bailey, Doris A. Dollard, William Bardusch, Vicki Cardona, Eloy Rosario, Tatum Thompson, Carla Breton, Lorena, Tim O’Connor, Christine, Comerci, and Jillana Kucey.
Aaliyah Whitfield, who is co-directing Elizabeth, NJ, spoke to the power of local theater and community believes “Local art matters.” She says “there’s a level of community that is built when you know the people who are on stage and the people who come to support. What is created on the stage is a magic that folds, like paper into origami—literature, language, and design into something with structure, substance, and empathy. And the beauty of theater is you never get the same thing twice.”
This program is made possible in part by a 2026 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners, and grants from The Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission, and The Plainfield Foundation.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is a Plainfield-based nonprofit theater company in residence at duCret Center of Art. Dragonfly is dedicated to producing inclusive and diverse programming that reflects the voices and experiences of its community. Through classic works, new plays, and world premieres, Dragonfly fosters dialogue, empathy, and artistic excellence.
EVENT PREVIEWS
"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th
(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- On Monday, July 20, 2026, Chip and Gus, a comedy with balls will be presented at The Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory. The play is performed, directed, and created by John Ahlin & Christopher Patrick Mullen. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- The Narrator is ready to start the show, but how is that supposed to happen when nobody else in the cast has read the script and the costumes haven't even arrived yet? Children, families, and the young at heart will find out when Nutley Little Theatre presents The Worst Fairy Tale Ever by Todd Wallinger July 25-26, 2026.
The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret
(UNION, NJ) -- Kaleidoscope Kabaret (that's Kabaret with a K), The Theater Project's annual festival of live music and short comedic plays, will liven up the stage of DMK Black Box Theatre in Union Township's new Arts Center from July 24-26, 2026.
Aspire Performing Arts presents Disney's "Descendants: The Musical"
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company, an award-winning performing arts company based in Wayne, will present Disney's Descendants: The Musical from July 24-26, 2026 at the Barn Theatre in Montville. The production features two casts of young performers and is directed by Joey Nasta with musical direction by Shannen Lynn and choreography by Charlize Dominguez.
Mile Square Theatre presents "Urinetown: The Musical"
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre (MST) is proud to present its first-ever Pre-Professional Theatre Program production, Urinetown: The Musical, book and lyrics by Greg Kotis, music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann. The entire production is led by a team of professionals - the assistants and cast are all young artists ages 18 to 25, based in Hudson County and from across North and Central New Jersey. The production runs from Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Country Gate Players presents "The Addams Family Musical" (Youth Production)
(BELVIDERE, NJ) -- Country Gate Players presents The Addams Family Musical (Youth Production) from July 24-26, 2026. This is the spectacular culminating production of their 2026 Summer Youth Performance Workshop.
Award-Winning "5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche" Returns for One-Day Fundraising Preview Before Edinburgh Fringe Debut
(GARWOOD, NJ) -- Before taking their award-winning production to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this August, Cheese Platter Productions will present one final hometown performance, and one final opportunity for audiences to help send the company overseas.
Woodbridge Community Players present "9 to 5, The Musical"
(WOODBRIDGE, NJ) -- The Woodbridge Community Players present 9 to 5, The Musical from July 23-26, 2026 at The Theater at Woodbridge Middle School. Three unlikely friends take control of their office and learn there is nothing they can't do, even in a man's world.
The 1964 Civil Rights Act Takes Center Stage with "All The Way" at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on July 27th
(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its acclaimed Revolutionary Voices play reading series with Robert Schenkkan's Tony Award-winning drama All the Way on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 7:30pm at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. This special one-night-only event brings together an exceptional cast to dramatize one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
Mystic Vision Players presents "Seussical, the Musical"
(LINDEN, NJ) -- Mystic Vision Players presents Seussical, the Musical across two weekends from July 24 through August 1, 2026 in the Susan L. Hudak Auditorium inside Linden High School. The musical features a Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; Music by Stephen Flaherty; and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. It was Co-Conceived by Eric Idle and Based on the Works of Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss).
FEATURED EVENTS
