Today is FOUNDER’S DAY, a special day of celebration at The Growing Stage, as we recognize the anniversary of our very 1st performance as a company in 1982. This date was established in 2023 to recognize all that helped to launch our mission with the inaugural production of Hans Christian Andersen’s THE NIGHTINGALE at the Black River Playhouse in Chester, NJ.
In honor of this special day, we recently sat down with Founder & Executive Director, Steve Fredericks to chat about our 43rd Season.
Season 43 is underway with Charlie And The Chocolate Factory! What else can audiences expect from our season of “Pure Imagination”?
In crafting this season, we aimed to celebrate the imagination that infuses every opportunity to experience live theatre. Much like sharing a book with our children, we aspire to evoke that exhilarating “turn the page” feeling. The thrill of anticipating what happens next is only surpassed by the vivid images we conjure in our minds, inspired by the words and visuals on the page. With every scene, song, and moment we create with our artists, we strive to capture that same sense of wonder and inspiration.
Prior to the start of this season, our building, the Historic Palace Theatre received a “stage” lift. Can you tell us about it?
While much of our work remains unseen by audiences, it is essential to our dedication to preserving and restoring our jewel-box theatre. We have reconstructed the foundations that support our stage in the basement, resurfaced the entire performance stage to better accommodate diverse artistic disciplines like music and dance, and are adding a new spiral staircase from our balcony gallery to the stage. Additionally, we’re enhancing our side entrances with improved lighting and awnings. These efforts reflect our unwavering commitment not only to preserve our historical theatre but also to protect and elevate its legacy for future generations.
In 43 seasons, what has changed? What remains constant at TGS?
It’s too much to capture in just one paragraph! The most significant change we face is what we compete against. When we started the theatre, there were no cell phones, let alone “smart” phones. Our performance schedules were planned around local events like little league games and the Flea Market on Sundays in Chester. Today, our sports calendars have expanded to include soccer, football, and baseball—many of which are now year-round. Technology has become both a blessing and a curse, presenting challenges that every parent and individual grapples with.
Yet, our constant remains our mission. What we established 43 seasons ago continues to be our guiding light and inspiration as we create, perform, and present works for young people and their families. We strive not just to create a moment, but to forge lasting memories through professional live theatre that everyone in the family can share and experience.
Consider the historical significance of our art form: the first play requiring a large venue was Aeschylus’ ORESTEIA, produced in 458 BCE, and in 1576, the first permanent theater in England was built exclusively for stage productions. Given this rich legacy, I feel optimistic about our chances to advance our mission, no matter what challenges tomorrow may bring
In addition to performances and educational programming, how can patrons support the mission of The Growing Stage?
We are excited about the response to our new chair campaign, designed to significantly enhance the comfort and experiences of our patrons. Your support would mean the world to us. Each season, we reach out to our community for financial contributions to sustain our mission.
We understand that many families, just like their children, are facing new challenges; raising a child is increasingly costly. We also recognize that for some, purchasing tickets to see a show at The Growing Stage or enrolling their child in a class is already a meaningful contribution.
However, our ongoing commitment as an organization is to ensure that ALL our programming remains economically accessible to EVERYONE. This dedication means we have essential gaps to fill in order to provide a professional, high-quality experience in the arts.
Every gift, no matter the size, is invaluable and makes a difference! Thank you for considering supporting our efforts. Together, we can create an enriching environment for all.
Any future goals you want to share with the TGS audience?
If I told you, where would the surprise be? I guess you just have to join me, and imagine!
Thank you Steve for sharing insight into this exciting 2024-2025 season. To learn more about our season, click here. If you’d like to make a donation or participate in our new chair campaign, please visit our Support Us page here.