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OUR STORY

New Jersey Theatre Alliance was founded in 1981 by five professional theatres on the belief that the theatre community is stronger united, not divided, and that one theatre’s success is a success for all.

Today we serve forty-two professional theatres in New Jersey and the region, representing fifteen of the state’s twenty-one counties.

Member theatres of the Alliance support the economic development of our state and region, contribute to their communities with arts education opportunities, and offer performances that inspire, challenge, and entertain close to one million theatregoers annually.

The Alliance is proud to serve and support this vital theatre ecology.

Mission & Vision

The mission of New Jersey Theatre Alliance is to unite, promote, strengthen, and cultivate New Jersey’s professional theatres. We advance the theatre community by developing innovative, collaborative, and engaging programs and services for member theatres and their diverse audiences.

New Jersey Theatre Alliance and its members envision a field that is flourishing, collaborative, and equitable for artists, administrators, member theatres, organizations, and audiences.

A dancer in a musical exuberantly kicks his leg to the side and raises his arm.

Core Values

  • Equity & Access
  • Innovation & Creativity
  • Collaboration & Partnership
  • Integrity & Accountability
Children and adults watch a performance with expressions of wonder and entertainment

Guiding Principles

  • Leveraging collective power
  • Advancing equity, access, & justice
  • Communicating the value of theatre 
  • Facilitating innovation

“New Jersey Theatre Alliance truly is the lifeblood of professional theatre in New Jersey, providing much-needed advice, materials, financial resources, professional development, and networking opportunities, and exposure of member institutions and their programs to the widest possible audience of regional theatergoers and artists.”

–John Wooten, Producing Artistic Director of Premiere Stages

“It is always abundantly clear to us that our needs and challenges are forefront in the considerations of the Alliance. The Alliance believes in the work we do and in the notion that New Jersey can rival New York and Chicago as a home for outstanding, cutting-edge theatre.”

–Cheryl Katz,  Co-Director of The New Jersey Play Lab

All of us in the State’s theatre community benefit greatly from the Alliance’s efforts and advocacy on our behalf. We are deeply grateful for the Alliance’s existence and for their passionate commitment to the art form.”

–Bonnie Monte, Artistic Director of
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

“In theatre, we tell stories that have the power to change perspectives on culture, to reach beyond borders, and unite. As artistic visionaries, we often work in isolation. It is incredibly important for us to exchange experiences, ideas, and resources not only to survive but to grow professionally and as a community. New Jersey Theatre Alliance gives us a sense of community.”  

– Olga Levina, Artistic Director of Jersey City Theatre Company