(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center invites audiences to experience Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility in a charming outdoor production this summer at duCret Center of Art in Plainfield. Performances take place July 10-12, 2026.
Adapted by acclaimed playwright Kate Hamill, Sense and Sensibility brings Austen's timeless story of love, family, heartbreak, and resilience to life with humor, energy, and a contemporary theatrical flair. The play follows sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they navigate romance, societal expectations, and financial uncertainty after the death of their father.
Directed and produced by Dragonfly founder and Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux, the production features Jamie Staub as Elinor Dashwood, Avery Peters as Marianne Dashwood, and Elena Marie Abdou as their mother. The cast also includes Dragonfly regulars Tim O’Connor as Sir John, Liz Rapelye as Mrs. Jennings, and Eloy Rosario as John Dashwood. They are supported by a talented cast of performers from across Central New Jersey.
Performances take place Friday, July 10 at 6:00pm; Saturday, July 11 at 6:00pm; and Sunday, July 12 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. duCret Center of Art is located at 1030 Central Avenue in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Dragonfly's annual summer "porch play" tradition, begun during Covid, offers audiences a unique theatrical experience in an intimate outdoor setting. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for outdoor performances. In the event of rain, performances will move indoors and seating will be provided.
"Kate Hamill's adaptation captures all the wit, romance, and emotional depth of Austen's novel while making it feel fresh and immediate for modern audiences," said LaMoreaux. "We're excited to share this beautiful story in the relaxed atmosphere of our summer outdoor theater."
Outdoor performances: Audience members should bring their own chairs. Rain location: performances will move indoors and seating will be provided.
This program is made possible in part by a 2021 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Additional support has been generously provide by The Westfield Foundation, The Plainfield Foundation, and the Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is a nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to celebrating diversity through arts education, dramatic performances, and the creation of new works. Founded in 2014 by Catherine LaMoreaux and Anna Paone, Dragonfly is in residence at duCret Center of Art and presents productions that enlighten, entertain, and educate while serving the diverse communities of Central New Jersey.
Photos by Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center
