Published by New Jersey Stage
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
Two River Theater Unveils Bold Five-Year Strategic Plan 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The award-winning Two River Theater has announced a comprehensive five-year strategic plan through 2031, positioning the organization for continued growth and national leadership at a pivotal moment for the regional theater field.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents 2026 New Jersey One-Act Play Festival 
(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.
music
Jersey Arts Podcast: Pearls of Wisdom with Violin Virtuoso Itzhak Perlman 
Today, we are speaking with the legendary violin virtuoso, Itzhak Perlman.
Winner of four Emmy Awards, sixteen Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, a Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Perlman is a superstar! A status, rarely afforded to classical musicians. He is beloved the world over for his talent, charm, and humanitarian efforts.
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 04/09/2026 
"It's not long enough but it's a pretty good run of shows. I haven't done a tour like this in about three years, even though it feels like yesterday, I haven't done a tour like this in a long time," laughed multi instrumentalist Hunter Hayes shortly before his two recent New Jersey shows at the Newton Theatre and The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. "I am thoroughly looking forward to it, I have been looking forward to doing a tour like this since "Evergreen" started coming together, you know, coming to life; "Evergreen" has been an eight to ten year process, depending on where you want to start, it's a pretty good run of shows and I'm really excited about it."
Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile 
(FORT LEE, NJ) -- Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Barrymore Film Center on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. Ann joined Actors' Equity with co-star Elizabeth Taylor in 1981 when she landed the plum role in The Little Foxes playing Miss Taylor's daughter on Broadway. The Little Foxes traveled the world for eighteen months including six months in London and their loving friendship lasted for the rest of Miss Taylor's life.
WilloLand Duo performs on April 16 as part of Westminster Conservatory Noontime Series 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:15pm, Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will present the WilloLand Duo. The performers, Kevin Willois, flute and Patricia Tupta Landy, piano, are members of the teaching faculty of Westminster Conservatory. The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church (61 Nassau Street) in Princeton. It is open to the public free of charge.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox 
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
film
Puffin Cultural Forum and Teaneck International Film Festival present "Horsegirls" as part of the 18th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival 
(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with the ReelAbilities Film Festival—the largest film festival in the world dedicated to films by and about people with disabilities. This marks the first time TIFF will serve as an official New Jersey host site for ReelAbilities, further advancing its commitment to inclusive storytelling and diverse voices.
dance
Carolyn Dorfman Dance to Hold Benefit on April 23rd 
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- An evening benefiting the community impact, performance and arts education programming of Carolyn Dorfman Dance (CDD) will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the Maplewood Country Club. The event, billed as REACH, is an evening that connects and builds "community through the Power of Dance."
Middlesex College presents 24th Annual Spring Dance Concert 
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex College's Visual, Performing, and Media Arts Department presents performances of the 24th Annual Spring Dance Concert, Moving Canvases, from April 24-26, 2026.
art
Gallery Space presents Face(t)s of America Exhibition 
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe and the Rahway City Council are pleased to present Face(t)s of America, a curated exhibition at Gallery Space from April 18 through June 13, 2026. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
community
NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub to Power Host Committee's Fan Experience in New Jersey 
(HARRISON, NJ) -- The FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee has announced the NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub, a premier fan destination in New Jersey that will bring the energy of the tournament to fans across the region.
A Rainbow Bridge Memorial Is Coming to Elysian Park in Hoboken 
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- The Rainbow Bridge Memorial Project is coming to Elysian Park in Hoboken in 2026. It was created as a community-led effort in partnership with the City of Hoboken, WISE Animal Rescue, and The Local Girl Media Group.
books
Learn to Write Beloved Characters and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience with Author Jason Reynolds 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join bestselling author Jason Reynolds in a virtual discussion on Thursday, April 30, 2026 presented by the Ocean County Library. Reynolds will discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth and final entry in the highly popular Track series. The event begins at 7:00pm.
