Cape May stage
Encyclopedia
The Cape May Stage is a theatre company that performs in the Robert Shackleton Playhouse located at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May
, New Jersey
.
The organization continued to grow its budget and audience base annually over the next several years. Grant funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts was awarded in 1996, which allowed for further improvements to the company’s productions. In 1998, the theatre programming expanded to an eight month/six production season, to more fully serve the year-round residents and off-season visitors to the Cape May area.
Upon the passing of Cape May Stage’s founder in early 2001, a new Artistic Director was recruited and hired to run the day-to-day operations of the theatre as well as to expand the programming and services provided to the community and its visitors. Michael Carleton's remarkable contributions changed the theater from a small semi-professional stage to a top-notch, nationally respected theater company. During this transition, Cape May Stage achieved a higher level of recognition and creativity. The core audience of Cape May Stage began to support the theatre in ever-rising numbers each season. In 2008, Cape May Stage celebrated their 20th anniversary season with the unveiling of the fully restored and refurbished Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
The shows produced annually include six or seven main stage productions plus featured solo productions that range from Magicians and Puppet Shows to new and original biographical one-act plays frequently scheduled on Monday and Tuesday nights during the season. This additional featured programming provides an opportunity for audiences to experience more ethnically and culturally diverse productions that are created and performed across the country.
Directors, designers, actors, production staff, and teaching artists are brought in from around the country (New York, Philadelphia, Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles) to fulfill an eight month production season and ten month Education Outreach calendar. In addition to award winning regional artists, Cape May Stage has also attracted internationally renowned actors such as Robert Prosky
(Tony Award
nominee) and Estelle Parsons
(Academy Award winner) to take part in projects. In 2008, the theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s “The Price” which starred Robert Prosky and his two sons, transferred to The Walnut Street Theatre
in Philadelphia, the nation’s oldest theatre, and then to Theatre J in Washington D.C. to be part of a national Miller celebration.
Additionally, Cape May Stage is the only theatre company in southern New Jersey consistently promoting and commissioning new works. The annual production roster generally includes at least one world premiere, and several New Jersey or regional premieres. For several seasons now Cape May Stage has been able to bring a nationally renowned playwright to Cape May to work in conjunction with the company on a production of the playwright’s work. Past seasons have included Tony and Emmy Award winners and a Pulitzer nominee. Since the inception of the organization, the Artistic Director and Stage Manager have maintained a strong track record of writing and producing original works at Cape May Stage.
The high level of quality and distinctiveness of the organization’s programs are evident in the feedback received through audience comments for each show. Productions are selected to appeal to a wide audience base allowing patrons to experience programming that is entertaining and insightful; and is something that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience, especially in South Jersey. The qualifications of the Artistic Director contribute significantly to the quality and success of the programs which are also reflected in the reviews and through awards received.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Mission
"Cape May Stage provides high quality professional Equity theatre, focused on excellence in acting in an intimate setting, to the residents and visitors of Cape May and surrounding areas, and fosters Arts Education in academic and non-traditional venues."The History of Cape May Stage
Cape May Stage has operated as a professional Equity theatre since 1988. It was founded by Michael Laird, a Cape May resident and professional actor and director. For the first five seasons the theatre operated in the summer months only. Programming eventually grew to an ambitious and acclaimed 70 night season in 1992 due to popularity and demand. Over the next few years, organizational progress continued, and in 1995, leasing of the former Welcome Center (a city owned historical landmark building) as a performance site was established. (This 1853 structure is considered one of the key buildings in the Historic Landmark district by the Historic Preservation Commission.)The organization continued to grow its budget and audience base annually over the next several years. Grant funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts was awarded in 1996, which allowed for further improvements to the company’s productions. In 1998, the theatre programming expanded to an eight month/six production season, to more fully serve the year-round residents and off-season visitors to the Cape May area.
Upon the passing of Cape May Stage’s founder in early 2001, a new Artistic Director was recruited and hired to run the day-to-day operations of the theatre as well as to expand the programming and services provided to the community and its visitors. Michael Carleton's remarkable contributions changed the theater from a small semi-professional stage to a top-notch, nationally respected theater company. During this transition, Cape May Stage achieved a higher level of recognition and creativity. The core audience of Cape May Stage began to support the theatre in ever-rising numbers each season. In 2008, Cape May Stage celebrated their 20th anniversary season with the unveiling of the fully restored and refurbished Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
About Cape May Stage Programming
Cape May Stage operates from mid-May through December with over 150 performances. Shows produced are mostly traditional and contemporary works over the past three years; however, emphasis has been placed on the commissioning of new works by both established and up-and-coming playwrights.The shows produced annually include six or seven main stage productions plus featured solo productions that range from Magicians and Puppet Shows to new and original biographical one-act plays frequently scheduled on Monday and Tuesday nights during the season. This additional featured programming provides an opportunity for audiences to experience more ethnically and culturally diverse productions that are created and performed across the country.
Directors, designers, actors, production staff, and teaching artists are brought in from around the country (New York, Philadelphia, Orlando, Chicago, Los Angeles) to fulfill an eight month production season and ten month Education Outreach calendar. In addition to award winning regional artists, Cape May Stage has also attracted internationally renowned actors such as Robert Prosky
Robert Prosky
Robert Prosky was an American stage, film, and television actor.-Life and career:Prosky, a Polish American, was born Robert Joseph Porzuczek in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Helen and Joseph Porzuczek. His father was a grocer and butcher...
(Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominee) and Estelle Parsons
Estelle Parsons
Estelle Margaret Parsons is an American theatre, film and television actress and occasional theatrical director.After studying law, Parsons became a singer before deciding to pursue a career in acting. She worked for the television program Today and made her stage debut in 1961...
(Academy Award winner) to take part in projects. In 2008, the theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s “The Price” which starred Robert Prosky and his two sons, transferred to The Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre
The Walnut Street Theatre , located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 825 Walnut Street, is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the English-speaking world and the oldest in the United States...
in Philadelphia, the nation’s oldest theatre, and then to Theatre J in Washington D.C. to be part of a national Miller celebration.
Additionally, Cape May Stage is the only theatre company in southern New Jersey consistently promoting and commissioning new works. The annual production roster generally includes at least one world premiere, and several New Jersey or regional premieres. For several seasons now Cape May Stage has been able to bring a nationally renowned playwright to Cape May to work in conjunction with the company on a production of the playwright’s work. Past seasons have included Tony and Emmy Award winners and a Pulitzer nominee. Since the inception of the organization, the Artistic Director and Stage Manager have maintained a strong track record of writing and producing original works at Cape May Stage.
The high level of quality and distinctiveness of the organization’s programs are evident in the feedback received through audience comments for each show. Productions are selected to appeal to a wide audience base allowing patrons to experience programming that is entertaining and insightful; and is something that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience, especially in South Jersey. The qualifications of the Artistic Director contribute significantly to the quality and success of the programs which are also reflected in the reviews and through awards received.