(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- The Rialto's Spotlight Series continues this spring with Publishing Prose and Pop Biographies: Wendy Loggia, an evening exploring the craft of writing, storytelling, and publishing. The program takes place on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at The Rialto Center for Creativity. The event begins at 7:00pm.
This month's Spotlight welcomes Wendy Loggia — a Westfield resident, Penguin Random House editor, and author of young adult books — to talk about what goes into making worldwide bestsellers.
Loggia is VP and Publisher of Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, where she leads a team shaping literature for young readers. Delacorte publishes acclaimed and bestselling middle-grade and young adult fiction, including Newbery and Printz winners and major screen adaptations. Loggia also oversees Delacorte Romance and Joy Revolution.
A veteran editor, she has worked on more than 20 New York Times bestsellers, including The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Sun Is Also a Star. She is also the author of more than 40 books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography.
During her Spotlight appearance, Loggia will share insight into what goes into creating books that resonate with readers around the world, offering her perspective on the importance of creativity, storytelling, and human connection in shaping meaningful experiences for young audiences.
Tickets are $25 and available for purchase online. Rialto Center for Creativity is located at 250 East Broad Street in Westfield, New Jersey.
Due to high demand and limited seating, attendees are asked to limit ticket purchases to a maximum of four per order. Community members are encouraged to purchase early. Audience questions may be submitted in advance via Instagram and Facebook for consideration during the conversation.
A digital recording will be available after the event on the Rialto’s Youtube channel.
Spring Fling Open House: Sunday, May 3 - Ahead of the Loggia program, the Rialto invites the community to a Spring Fling Open House on Sunday, May 3, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore plans for the Rialto Center for Creativity, meet the team behind the vision, and learn how this future space will serve the community. Whether you're curious, inspired, or ready to get involved — all are welcome.
Spotlight Series: Showcasing the Vision for the New Rialto - The Rialto's Spotlight Series brings the community together for intimate conversations with artists, thinkers, and storytellers connected to Westfield and the surrounding region. Each event highlights the creative journeys that shape culture while building momentum for the Rialto Reimagined campaign, supporting the opening of the Rialto Center for Creativity in winter 2028.
Past Spotlight Series guests have included music photographer Jay Blakesberg, journalist Mike Emanuel, playwright Marc Acito, touring drummer Lucy Ritter, and scholars Tanya Birl-Torres and Monica L. Miller. Most recently, it was Tony and Emmy Award-nominated composer, Matthew Sklar. Digital recordings of the events are on their Youtube channel.
The Rialto Center for Creativity is transforming Westfield’s historic Rialto Theater into a vibrant hub for cultural conversation, live performance, and hands-on learning. Guided by values of creativity, inclusion, and community, the Center will host performances, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, and classes in a welcoming, flexible space designed to inspire.
The project is part of the Rialto Reimagined campaign, which will fund construction and operations through government support, private donations, and future earned revenue streams, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026 and a grand reopening anticipated in 2028.
