
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- The 53rd Annual Perry Awards were presented by NJACT (The New Jersey Association of Community Theatres) on October 4, 2026 at The Strand Theater. Some notable winners: The Community Theater of the Year went to Studio Players; Kevin Gunther received a Lifetime Achievement Award; John Wells received the David P. McMenemie Award; and the Reviewer of the Year Award went to Richard Siegel.
The Perry Awards are named in honor of Wm. Perry Morgan. Perry, as his friends have always known him, was a gifted director, actor, composer, and musician who was once a driving force in New Jersey Community Theater. During his time in New Jersey, Perry and several of his close colleagues realized the need to recognize the many great accomplishments of their fellow thespians, who gave so freely of their talents to enrich the lives of theater patrons. And so the AVY Awards were born in 1973, named after the town of Avenel, NJ, where Perry lived. The AVY Awards were held every June, and the announcement of each year’s nominees was always a much-anticipated event throughout New Jersey’s theater community. Perry continued to produce the AVY Awards for more than 20 years until, in 1994, he announced that he and his wife were relocating to Memphis, TN.
After Perry’s departure and the AVY Awards’ retirement, a small group of individuals decided to keep the AVY Awards’ spirit alive by creating the ACT Awards. This awards program continued for several years until 1998, when it was renamed the Recognition of Excellence in Community Theater Award, or RECT Award for short, and with Perry’s permission, the awards were named the “Perry Awards.” Then, in 2004, the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters, or NJACT Perry Awards, was formed to take over the awards program, and the tradition continues to this day.
At that time, Wm. Perry Morgan stated, “The acknowledgment of excellence in Community Theater by any award serves only to reinforce that which is already known: that some of the finest theatrical productions ever produced are done so year after year in community theaters throughout New Jersey.”
The complete list of nominees and categories winners is listed below with the winner presented in bold text.
Outstanding Production of a Play
ARMS AND THE MAN, Shakespeare 70, Jake Burbage, Hannah Rapaport-Stein-Producers, Janet Quartarone -Director
HARVEY, Nutley Little Theatre, Mead Winters-Producer/Director
SEASCAPE, Bergen County Players, Sharla Herbert-Producer, Dottie Fischer-Director
THE 39 STEPS, Maurer Productions OnStage, Diana Gilman Maurer, John M. Maurer-Producers, John M. Maurer-Director
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Westfield Community Players, Leslie Schwartz-Producer, Sharon Coyle-Director
THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre, Sean Lough-Producer, Mike Burdick-Director
THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Chester Theatre Group, Ellen Fraker-Glasscock-Producer, George LaVigne-Director
Outstanding Production of a Musical
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, Phoenix Productions, Inc., Tom Hessman-Producer, Anthony Viera-Director
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players, Michele Roth, Kathleen Ruland-Producer, Alyson Cohn-Director
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc., Anthony Viera-Producer, James Grausam-Director
FROZEN THE MUSICAL, ShowKids Invitational Theatre, Diane Lehnert, Carol Newman-Producers, Kristen Nasto, Carol Newman-Directors
MARY POPPINS, Villagers Theatre, Villagers Theatre-Producer, Jack Tomy-Director
SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players, Jayne Myers-Producer/Director
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company, Kitty Cleary, Ellen Ruane-Producers, Donna Battaglia-Director
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Steve Bell, THE 39 STEPS, Bergen County Players
Mike Burdick, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
Sharon Cullen Garry, THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE, Chatham Community Players
Richard Curcio, THE MOUSETRAP, Levoy Theatre
George LaVigne, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Chester Theatre Group
Darren Nye, ON TIME, Villagers Theatre
Janet Quartarone, ARMS AND THE MAN, Shakespeare 70
Mead Winters, HARVEY, Nutley Little Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Donna Battaglia, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company
Alyson Cohn, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players
James Grausam, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Jayne Myers, SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players
Kevin Ohlweiler, FIRST DATE, Studio Players
Emily Steen, PIPPIN, StageWorks Theatre Group
Mike Trujillo, DIARY OF A SIMPY KID, Villagers Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Thomas Balne, THE BIRDS, Masquerade Theatre
Ashley Basile, HOLIDAY SPIRITS, Thinkery & Verse
Al Caggiano, THE MOUSETRAP, Levoy Theatre
Alex Fritsch, THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE, Chatham Community Players
Judi Parrish, THE 39 STEPS, Maurer Productions OnStage
Mark Reilly, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
Allan Seward, SEASCAPE, Bergen County Players
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical
Eric Baker, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Glenn Burroughs, GODSPELL, CHAOS Theatre Company
Christian Confalone, ANYTHING GOES, Villagers Theatre
Sam Franz, ASSASSINS, StageWorks Theatre Group
Sam Lazofsky, ALICE BY HEART, BAC Community Players
Emily Lovell, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Judi Parrish, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Maurer Productions OnStage
Kyle Santopadre, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Outstanding Sound Design of a Play
Eric Collins, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, The MTM Players
Aster Kiesche, ON TIME, Villagers Theatre
Gary Kochey, Natasha Thompson, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Village Playbox
Chris Loos, ARMS AND THE MAN, Shakespeare 70
Judi Parrish, THE 39 STEPS, Maurer Productions OnStage
Don Schlachter, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Westfield Community Players
Craig Tiede, THE SPOILS, StageWorks Theatre Group
Drew Villafuerte, THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER, OffBook Productions
Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical
Nate Burwell, Christopher Vehmas, Emily Steen, SCHOOL OF ROCK, StageWorks Theatre Group
Ashanty Gil, Aaron Little, AS ABOVE, SO BELOW, Ferrell Studios
Anthony Graceffo, DIARY OF A SIMPY KID, Villagers Theatre
Tom Hessman, Zack Tenety, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Marcus Orozco, Chris Rocco, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company
Jason Rand, IF/THEN, Playhouse 22
Mike Russell, GHOST THE MUSICAL, The Blue Moon Theatre
Noah Schwartz, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Maurer Productions OnStage
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play
Donna Allen, Anita Rowland, Natasha Thompson, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Village Playbox
Melissa Hommes, COME BLOW YOUR HORN, Somerset Valley Players
Autumn Hyun, ALL MY SONS, Trilogy Repertory
Brianna Martinez, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, The Maplewood Strollers
Dina Martini, John Rattacasa, THE MOUSETRAP, Levoy Theatre
Muriel Rand, FENCES, Playhouse 22
Heather Tumbleson, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical
Derek Alfano, Alefiyah Danish, Anna Espinoza, Andi Kern, Hilary Pearson, Maria Printon, Jared Milian, MARY POPPINS, Villagers Theatre
Derek Alfano, Anna Espinoza, Charles Milian, Alyson Pemoulie, Maria Printon, LEGALLY BLONDE, Villagers Theatre
Hailey Aversa, Jenn Pifher, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, Porch Light Productions
Kitty Cleary, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company
Kathy Ferrigno, CHRISTMAS IN NEVERLAND, Main Street Theater Company
Joanne Penrose, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Adrienne Skokan, SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players
Sarah Wiessner, PIPPIN, StageWorks Theatre Group
Outstanding Properties in a Play
Rich Ciero, Tina Marie Ferrara, THE CAKE, Bergen County Players
Jennifer Cooper, Corina Lupp, Mead Winters, HARVEY, Nutley Little Theatre
Justine DeNicola, Kelly Weeden, ARMS AND THE MAN, Shakespeare 70
Diana Gilman Maurer, John M. Maurer, THE 39 STEPS, Maurer Productions OnStage
Joanne Guerriero, COME BLOW YOUR HORN, Somerset Valley Players
Joe Leo, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
Paul Porowski, THE CAKE, Playhouse 22
Outstanding Properties in a Musical
Jennifer Bancks, Tina Marie Ferrara, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players
Kitty Cleary, Amethyst Fiorentino, Ellen Ruane, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company
Ian DiGuilio, Joanne Guerriero, Noelle McManus, MARY POPPINS, Villagers Theatre
James Grausam, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Elaina Misciagna, ALICE BY HEART, BAC Community Players
Kevin Ohlweiler, FIRST DATE, Studio Players
Kevin Pavron, SHE LOVES ME, Burlington County Footlighters
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play
Gabrielle Affleck, Georgia DeFrank, THE BIRDS, Masquerade Theatre
Sharon Coyle, Jackie Hartley, Armand Marino, Robert Palladino, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Westfield Community Players
Michael Gilbert, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, The MTM Players
Vincent Gunn, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, StageWorks Theatre Group
Szczesny Lipinski, PLAY ON, Bergen County Players
Emily Muller, Mark Noble, COME BLOW YOUR HORN, Somerset Valley Players
Lauren Van Embden, THE MOUSETRAP, Levoy Theatre
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical
Donna Battaglia, Sara Ruane, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theater Company
Joelle Bochner, Joe Devico, John AC Kennedy, Roy Pancirov, Dean Sickler, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Chatham Community Players
Michael Gage Costa, Shannon Knopf, Brian Mulligan, JEKYLL & HYDE, North Brunswick Drama Group
Ashley Cusack, Kyle Santopadre, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Jim Fraser, SHE LOVES ME, Burlington County Footlighters
Bree Guell, IF/THEN, Playhouse 22
Steve Moger, Kevin Ohlweiler, FIRST DATE, Studio Players
Shawn Simmons, SOUTH PACIFIC, The MTM Players
Shawn Simmons, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, Playful Theatre Productions
Ivie Wren, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Outstanding Choreography
Lyle Dungee, LEGALLY BLONDE, Villagers Theatre
Maya Fortgang, SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players
Jenna Garrison, MARY POPPINS, Villagers Theatre
Jessica Brotherton Newlin, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Gina Morisano, PIPPIN, Pegasus Production Company
Makenzie Newbury, RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA, Levoy Theatre
Amanda Papa, ALICE BY HEART, BAC Community Players
Emma Taylor Schwartz, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CDC Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction
Louis Danowsky, ROCK OF AGES, Pebble Players
Diana Dorhrmann, SISTAS THE MUSICAL, Bridge Players Theatre Company
Tom O’Brien, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Robert Sammond, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company
David Shirley, ALICE BY HEART, BAC Community Players
Ethan Smith, PIPPIN, StageWorks Theatre Group
Amanda Zook, DIARY OF A SIMPY KID, Villagers Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
David Beil, BECKY’S NEW CAR, Magnolia Productions
Jake Burbage, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Shakespeare 70
Brian Danner, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Village Playbox
Nick Foil, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Wharton Community Players
Bill Geltzeiler, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
John Jesse Jeffords, HARVEY, Nutley Little Theatre
Jahi Kassa Taharqa, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center
Mike Patierno, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
Kori Caicedo, DIARY OF A SIMPY KID, Villagers Theatre
Michael Gage Costa, JEKYLL & HYDE, North Brunswick Drama Group
Eric Harper, IF/THEN, Playhouse 22
Jarrod Scott, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
James Steele, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, The Premier Theatre Company
Michael Zweig, THE PROM, Thank You 5 Productions
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play
Samantha Ambler, BECKY’S NEW CAR, Magnolia Productions
Susie Bischoff, CRY IT OUT, Playhouse 22
Valerie Doran, THE LION IN WINTER, Somerset Valley Players
Brenna Knight, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Wharton Community Players
Lauri MacMillan, THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE, Chatham Community Players
Allana Mariano, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Chester Theatre Group
Miriam Salerno, WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, Pioneer Productions
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Angelina Amara, CHRISTMAS IN NEVERLAND, Main Street Theater Company
Hadar Baron, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players
Lexi Ciardella, ROCK OF AGES, Pebble Players
Jessica Heitmann, PIPPIN, Pegasus Production Company
Michele Mueller, CURTAINS, Somerset Valley Players
Jojo Parks, JEKYLL & HYDE, North Brunswick Drama Group
Alexis Rizzo, SHREK THE MUSICAL, West Milford Players
Jennie Santiago, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Reagan White, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Candice Belina, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players
Ericka Davis, IF/THEN, Playhouse 22
Tracey Lynne Haskell, MARY POPPINS, Villagers Theatre
Maria Heitmann, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Karaline Rosen, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Playhouse 22
Elizabeth Rzasa, BRIGHT STAR, North Brunswick Drama Group
Zoe Seitz, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Nicholas Anderson, CRY IT OUT, Playhouse 22
Justin Del Valle, THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER, OffBook Productions
Tom Farber, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Chester Theatre Group
Trevor Henderson, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, StageWorks Theatre Group
Juice Jackson, THE TEMPEST, Stone Church Players
Jacob Turchi, THE LION IN WINTER, Somerset Valley Players
Robert Williamson, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Cumberland Players
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Nick Culver, ASSASSINS, StageWorks Theatre Group
Tim Herman, SHE LOVES ME, Burlington County Footlighters
Don Howes, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Chatham Community Players
Ken Locicero, HAIRSPRAY, Levoy Theatre
Billy Mills, IF/THEN, Playhouse 22
Joe Ronga, THE LITTLE MERMAID, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
T’Bone Rube, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players
Justin Walsh, EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Chantal Amissah, CRY IT OUT, Playhouse 22
Joanne Guarnaccia, BLITHE SPIRIT, Players Guild of Leonia
Karen Lisa Javois, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Westfield Community Players
Hannah Portmann, 2026 MARSHALL PLAYWRIGHTS SHOWCASE, Players Guild of Leonia
Lorraine Stone, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, Magnolia Productions
Nina Rangel, ANGELS IN BOSTON, First Avenue Playhouse
Cara Talty, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, Chester Theatre Group
Tasha R. Williams, 31ST ANNUAL JERSEY VOICES ONE ACT FESTIVAL, Chatham Community Players
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Tess Borsecnik, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Chatham Community Players
Tracey Fama, CURTAINS, Somerset Valley Players
Ali Gleason, EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Marisa Jean Giachetti, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Lex Goyden, JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Haddonfield Plays & Players
Camryn Ragland, THE LITTLE MERMAID, Phoenix Productions, Inc.
Fiona Wang, SOUTH PACIFIC, The MTM Players
Outstanding Youth Actor in a Play
Alasdair Adams, EBENEZER: A SHADOW CAROL, Chester Theatre Group
Wyatt Botsko-Bridge, ARCANA, Villagers Theatre
Nate Burwell, FOURTH ANNUAL TEEN ONE ACT JAMBOREE, StageWorks Theatre Group
Ethan Deych, ALL MY SONS, Trilogy Repertory
Elliott Peterson, OUR TOWN, Studio Players
A.M. Teo, AN AMERICAN MACBETH, Thinkery & Verse
Charlie Worthington, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Westfield Community Players
Outstanding Youth Actor in a Musical
Nate Burwell, PIPPIN, StageWorks Theatre Group
Logan Ebersole, ANYTHING GOES, Villagers Theatre
Caiden Loyer, SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players
Liam Pollack, PIPPIN, Pegasus Production Company
Thomas Sullivan, CHRISTMAS IN NEVERLAND, Main Street Theater Company
Jordan Wolf, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, ShowKids Invitational Theatre
Outstanding Youth Actress in a Play
Caleigh Anne, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Westfield Community Players
Anna Caruso, ALMOST, MAINE, Artist Collective Troupe
Brooke Olivia Ginsberg, OUR TOWN, Studio Players
Wendy Green, SEASONAL ALLERGIES, In Death’s Company
Devon Reed, THE 24 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, Somerset Valley Players
Laci Sova, THE WOLVES, Old Library Theatre
Outstanding Youth Actress in a Musical
Adalyn Campione, MATILDA THE MUSICAL, Aspire Performing Arts Company
Julia Dennis, LITTLE WOMEN, Masquerade Theatre
Sophie Gaeta, SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players
Noelle Gaunt, SOUTH PACIFIC, The MTM Players
Catherine Golioto, SOMETHING ROTTEN, Pebble Players
Camila Pereira, THE ICE QUEEN, Porch Light Productions
Sophia Silvera, PIPPIN, StageWorks Theatre Group
Outstanding Production of an Original Musical
AS ABOVE, SO BELOW, Ferrell Studios, Ananya Kakkilaya, Emily Mautone-Authors, Luke Ferrell-Producer, Emily Mautone-Director
DIARY OF A SIMPY KID, Anthony Graceffo, Mike Trujillo-Authors, Villagers Theatre-Producers, Mike Trujillo-Director
MACBETH: A MUSICAL ADAPTATION, Ferrell Studios, Luke Ferrell-Producer, Ryan Kalin-Author/Director
SHOWPLACE: THE STORY OF STEEL PIER, Village Playbox, Rob Kristie-Author, Rob Kristie-Producer, Steve Allen, John Blackwell-Directors
STAGE FRIGHT: TRICK OR TREAT, Porch Light Productions, Ryan Pifher-Author, Jennifer Boles, Ryan Pifher-Producers, Hailey Aversa, Chad Colacurcio-Directors
WHERE THE TIME GOES, Players Guild of Leonia, Michael Bias, Victoria Casella-Authors, Diana Arabella, Marc Leland-Producers, Michael Bias -Director
Outstanding Production of an Original Play
31ST ANNUAL JERSEY VOICES ONE ACT FESTIVAL, Chatham Community Players, Susan Brown-Peotz, Stephanie Buckley, Caroline Grant, Steven Hayet, John AC Kennedy, Alexis Kozak, Akhir Stewart, Jonas Wilcox-Authors, Aaron Kellner, Jessica Phelan-Producers, Giovanna Disanto, Leslie Ellis, Kayla Fiore, Brooke Harrsch, Jeanne Johnston, Lauri McMillan, Ann E. Pattan, Sarah Pharaon, Emma Schwartz-Directors
AN AMERICAN MACBETH, Thinkery & Verse, Dr. John Meyer-Author, Mariah Hale-Producer, J.M. Meyer-Director
ARCANA, Villagers Theatre, Scott Doyal-Author, Jared Milian-Producer, Scott Doyal-Director
HOLIDAY SPIRITS, Thinkery & Verse, Karen Alvarado, Dr. John Meyer-Authors, Thinkery & Verse-Producer, Karen Alvarado-Director
EBENEZER: A SHADOW CAROL, Chester Theatre Group, John AC Kennedy, Lauri MacMillan-Authors, Lauri MacMillan-Producer, Sharon Garry-Director
HEY! I HEARD YOU’RE BLACK!, Unidentified Stages, Alicia Whavers-Author, Alicia Whavers-Producer, Alicia Whavers-Director
ON TIME, Villagers Theatre, Wesley Cappiello-Author, Darren Nye-Producer/Director
OUR TIME: 4TH ANNUAL ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL, Ferrell Studios, Molly Kate Babos, Eliza Epstein, F.J. Hartland, Steven Patrick, Frankie Perez, Jay Rehak, Michael Roche-Authors, Luke Ferrell, Holly Stefanik-Producers, Danielle Bouie, Aidan Colon, Samantha Egge, Ashanty Gil, Mikaela Lukowicz, Frankie Perez, Alyssa Scott, Holly Stefanik, Kathi Troy-Directors
Outstanding Stage Management of a Play
Monica DiMauro, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Cumberland Players
Nicole Dougherty, Ashley “Ash” Nichols, A NIGHT AT THE THEATER: AN IMMERSIVE MURDER MYSTERY EXPERIENCE, Studio Players
Anne Kaufman, BECKY’S NEW CAR, Magnolia Productions
Melissa Noble, COME BLOW YOUR HORN, Somerset Valley Players
Daraius Phillips, THE SHARK IS BROKEN, CDC Theatre
Marijah Sroczynski, FENCES – Playhouse 22
Amanda Zelinski, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Westfield Community Players
Outstanding Stage Management of a Musical
Gia Cagnano, GODSPELL, CHAOS Theater Company
Marissa DeVeau, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET THE MUSICAL, Phoenix Productions
Nicole Dvorin, Shannon Olsen, MARY POPPINS, Villagers Theatre
Christine Heffron, Rachel Piscopo, SOUTH PACIFIC, The MTM Players
Shannon Knopf, BRIGHT STAR, North Brunswick Drama Group
Michele Roth, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, Bergen County Players
Jack Tomy, LEGALLY BLONDE, Villagers Theatre
Community Theater of the Year - Studio Players
Lifetime Achievement Award - Kevin Gunther
David P. McMenemie Award - John Wells
Reviewer of the Year Award - Richard Siegel
** Just a reminder that New Jersey Stage covers community, equity, high school, and college theatre. Most of our stories are created in-house, but theatre companies can email press releases to [email protected] - we also offer great promotional packages for theaters starting at just $10 per show! Our event pages cost $10 and include individual web pages for every performance of the show's run (with tons of information fed to search engines and A.I. to help raise the show's profile across the Internet). We have individual banner ads for just $50, two banner ad sizes for $75, and a set of four different banner ad sizes for $100. Each banner ad comes with event pages for the run as well. For more information on advertising at New Jersey Stage, click here.
New Jersey Stage also publishes a comprehensive look at theatre throughout the Garden State each Tuesday. Our weekly column not only shows the plays taking place this week, but has information on shows coming to stages in the next few weeks. The latest column can always be found at https://www.newjerseystage.com/sections/TheatreThisWeek.php


Monday, October 12, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

Monday, October 12, 2026
@ 10:00am
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

There are multiple performances including:
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
@ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ

There are multiple performances including:
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
