In this heartfelt episode, Penji’s Partnership coordinator, Daniela talks to John McEwen from New Jersey Theatre Alliance to discuss his lifelong passion for theater and how the Alliance supports 42 professional theaters in New Jersey. Discover how they champion accessibility, foster a collaborative community, and nurture the next generation of theater leaders.
Three things you’ll learn in this episode:
Supporting New Jersey's Thriving Professional Theater Community: John McEwen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, leads an organization that promotes, strengthens, and supports 42 professional producing theaters in New Jersey. They aim to raise awareness of the high-quality theater available locally, distinguishing themselves from nearby major cities like New York and Philadelphia, and providing essential services and resources to their member theaters, which operate as small businesses.
Overcoming Post-Pandemic Challenges and Fostering Community: The podcast highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on live theater, noting that the New Jersey Theatre Alliance successfully supported its members to prevent any theater closures. While challenges remain, such as audience planning habits and subscription rates, the Alliance emphasizes the unique, irreplaceable energy of live performance and the deep community relationships regional non-profit theaters build, contrasting them with the more transactional nature of Broadway.
Championing Accessibility and Nurturing Emerging Talent: The New Jersey Theatre Alliance is a national leader in making arts accessible to people with disabilities through its Cultural Access Network Project, ensuring full and equal access for all. Additionally, the Alliance is dedicated to developing the next generation of arts leaders through programs like the Career Accelerator, which provides paid fellowships and networking opportunities to young, emerging professionals of color, leading to successful employment in the arts field.
About John and New Jersey Theatre Alliance:
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