The Children's Theater of New Jersey
Mike Ham travels to the Palace Theater in Netcong, NJ to talk with the Founder of The Growing Stage - The Children's Theater of New Jersey, Stephen Fredericks. Mike and Steve discuss the history of both The Growing Stage and the Palace Theater, educational programs the nonprofit provides, its connection to the community and more!
About The Growing Stage
The rich history of The Growing Stage is equally matched to its home, The Palace Theatre. It was founded by Executive Director Stephen L. Fredericks in 1982. The organization enjoyed its humble beginnings at the Black River Playhouse and the Williamson School in Chester, New Jersey.
Along with a small professional staff and dedicated corps of volunteers, Steve’s dream to bring professional theatre to children and their families grew. As the audience and our reputation for outstanding theatre grew, the company embarked on a journey to create the only performing arts center in the state dedicated solely to young people and their families.
The History of The Growing Stage is incomplete without The historic Palace Theatre. Built in 1919, it was a New Jersey entertainment landmark for over 50 years. Originally a silent movie and vaudeville house, it later featured talking movies, local plays and graduations, minstrel shows and other live entertainment.
In 1934, the Palace was leased by a prominent operator of theatres in Newark and the Oranges, and a period of major renovation began. The interior was stylishly redecorated in 1934, employing fabric wall covering and ceiling draperies.
The Hopatcong Broadway Players, a summer troupe of nationally known actors, directors and writers who vacationed at Lake Hopatcong, were a featured attraction in the mid-1930s. Bert Lytell, Celeste Holm and Gale Sondergaard were among the actors who appeared on the Palace stage as the troupe tried out theatrical productions before taking them onto Broadway.
During the mid-1940s, the commercial storefronts in the Palace’s facade were removed, and the theatre served as a popular movie house until the 1960s. It then fell on hard times as competition from television and multiplex theatres led to a decline in attendance. In 1981, the venerable theatre was converted into a warehouse for a moving company, a purpose it served until 1994.
In May 1995, The Growing Stage purchased the Palace Theatre and began the process of restoring it to a regional center for the performing arts. Since then, we have raised and re-invested $3 million, and in September 2012, we celebrated the completion of our final major capital project, the restoration of the Palace’s front façade.
The Growing Stage is the only theatre-for-young-audiences company in the state of New Jersey that owns its own facility. The fully-restored Palace features a 240-seat theatre and balcony/art gallery graced with hand-painted murals by company artist-in-residence Perry Arthur Kroeger, a modern concession area, rehearsal space, classrooms and administrative offices.
growingstage.com
@thegrowingstage
Today in New Jersey History: Actress Tara Reid is born on November 8, 1975 in Wyckoff, NJ
New Jersey Fun Fact: The first submarine ride took place in the Passaic River.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Calandra's Bakery and Restaurants www.calandrasbakery.com
Albert & Whitney CPAs www.awcpasllc.com
TRJ Consulting Services www.trjconsultingservices.com
Contact the show: greetingsfromthegardenstate@gmail.com
Website: greetingsfromthegardenstate.com
Follow us on Instagram: @greetingsfromthegardenstate
Music (used with permission): "Crazy" by Manny Cabo https://www.mannycabo.com/
