New Jersey Stage 2015 - Issue 6 | Page 30

vital. Plays have to be realized. It’s always a gamble because there is absolutely no way to know what will connect with an audience. New plays will not be produced unless certain theaters make that their primary objective. That has to be their philosophy regardless of financial considerations.” For NJ Rep, that has always been their philosophy and in 2017 they hope to open a new theater, which will house several performance spaces, an art gallery, studios, classrooms, and environments for a wide range of arts. They are developing plans to renovate the West End School (Long Branch) property, which was purchased earlier in the year. “Our acquiring the West End School property for expansion is the result of 18 years of work and oftentimes struggle,” said Barabas. “We have been operating in a neighborhood where there is hardly any foot traffic and just one block away from our building thirty buildings are boarded up. Our audiences come from significant distances and represent a certain sub-set Rosemary Conte Voice Teacher & C oach Innovative technques for great singing. All styles, levels & ages. Matawan, NJ. 732-583-4959 New Jersey Stage www.NewJerseyStage.com 30