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
Ridge High School's "Peter Pan and Wendy" Named Outstanding Production of a Play at Montclair State University Theatre Night Awards 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- More than 100 high school plays across New Jersey entered into the Montclair State University Theatre Night Awards on May 21, 2026. Each year, Ridge High School consistently ranks among the top high school theatre programs in New Jersey. Often winning Best Direction of a Play, Best Musical, among other accolades at both the Montclair State University Theatre Night Awards, and the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards over the past few years. This year added to that legacy.
Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Award Winners 
(MILLBURN, NJ) -- On June 9, 2026, Paper Mill Playhouse hosted the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards Ceremony on the stage of its Tony Award-recognized theater in Millburn. Celebrating excellence in New Jersey high school musical theater, the ceremony honored students and schools from across the state with more than 30 awards.
music
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 06/11/2026 
Due to a much needed vacation, this week's piece will be short and far more sweet than its creator but that being said, there are a few things of note those of you may wish to check out.
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
Jersey Arts Podcast: Bring on the Bacon! The Princeton Festival Features The Bacon Brothers 
Today, Gina is speaking with the Bacon Brothers. Yes, that is Hollywood A-lister Kevin Bacon and Emmy Award-winning composer, Michael Bacon. The siblings have spent the better part of three decades creating their own mix of folk, rock, soul, and country music. They call that diverse sound "forosoco," and it's taken them around the world, from headlining gigs in Japan to American performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry and Gruene Hall.
New Jersey Youth Symphony Embarks on International Concert Tour Across Northern Europe and the Baltics 
(NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ) -- The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts, will embark on its 2026 international concert tour from June 27 through July 3, 2026, performing in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under the direction of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Helen H. Cha-Pyo.
comedy
State Theatre New Jersey and Live Nation present Aries Spears on July 10th 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Live Nation present Aries Spears on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New York native's quick wit, charisma, and ferociously aggressive comedy style have earned him critical acclaim, accolades, and, above all, a busy schedule
film
SOPAC to screen Director's Cut of "Riot: From Rebellion to Redemption" on June 20th 
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- In its first public screening since premiering on PBS stations earlier this year, Kevin McLaughlin's Riot: From Rebellion to Redemption will show the Director's Cut at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 7:30pm. The special edition contains 23 minutes of compelling material not included in the broadcast version, followed by a live conversation with the people behind the film.
art
Toms River Library presents "Snipping, Sticking & Laughing Out Loud" Collage Exhibit by Michelle Dillon 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library is hosting Snipping, Sticking, and Laughing Out Loud, a collage art exhibit by Michelle Dillon, from now until the end of August in the McConnell Gallery.
West Windsor Arts and The Arc/Mercer Inc. Announce Open Call for "Together We Are..." Exhibit 
(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts and The Arc/Mercer Inc. are proud to announce an open call for "Together We Are ...," a collaborative exhibition celebrating artists of all abilities and exploring the power of art to connect people through shared experiences, community, and creativity. The deadline to submit art is Monday, June 29, 2026.
Grounds For Sculpture presents site-specific work exploring the nature of time in "Shantell Martin: Past, Present, Future" 
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Explore the fleeting nature of time through murals, daily meditative practices and newly commissioned sculptures in "Shantell Martin: Past, Present, Future," on view from September 20, 2026-July 23, 2028 at Grounds For Sculpture (GFS). The immersive, site-specific installation will feature new work indoors and sculptures in the park's gardens.
poetry
Scott Laudati to Have Book Release Party for "Rainbow Road" on June 25th 
(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Hazlet's Scott Laudati will celebrate the release of his new book, Rainbow Road (Bone Machine), on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the My Way Cafe in West Long Branch. Doors are at 6:30pm, the event begins at 7:00pm.
community
Ocean County College Foundation Raises Over $200,000 For Student Scholarships 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Foundation celebrated its annual Scholarship Celebration on Thursday, June 4, 2026, raising over $200,000 to support the students of Ocean County College.
books
Chris Malarkey to Have Book Signing and Talk in Clifton on July 10th 
(CLIFTON, NJ) -- Chris Malarkey, owner of CMTKD in Belleville, NJ is a 6th Degree Black Belt, United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, and author of Moving Meditation: From Black Belt to Inner Balance. On Friday, July 10, 2026, he will have a book talk and signing at the Barnes & Noble in Clifton. The event begins at 2:00pm.
