The following timeline highlights the significant benchmarks in The Growing Stage’s history:
1982: Debuts at The Black River Playhouse; 500 patrons attend four Main Stage productions. Inaugurates the Touring Company entertaining 1200 students; Annual Budget: $ 30,000
1984: Moves to the Williamson Building, Chester, New Jersey. Begins ten-year association and establishes itself as a cultural fixture in northwestern Morris County. Receives final IRS determination as a 501-c-3 not for profit corporation. Over the next several years The Growing Stage opens a summer camp for the arts and establishes an intern program for students of theatre.
1992: Becomes an associate member of the New Jersey Theatre Group – an association of professional theatre groups.
1994: Acquires the Palace Theatre; average season attendance grows to 6000 and Touring Company travels throughout the state; Annual Budget reaches $ 75,000
1995: The Growing Stage opens the Palace with The Wizard of Oz attracting 1,200 patrons through six performances.
1996: Becomes a professional member theatre of the Association of Actor’s Equity. Annual attendance approaches 10,000.
Our most recent accomplishments include:
- In July, 2008 The Growing Stage received its first national recognition when it was awarded the Sara Spencer Award by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education’s, which recognizes a theatre for making significant contributions to the field of theatre for young audiences.
- In September, 2008 TGS Executive Director Stephen L. Fredericks received the 2008 Exemplary Performance in Nonprofit Management Award from the Community Foundation of New Jersey. This award is presented annually to recognize an outstanding and dedicated chief executive who has demonstrated exemplary nonprofit leadership, has accomplished significant accomplishments, and has made a significant impact on New Jersey.
- In September, 2009 we completed Phase I of our restoration of the front façade. The Growing Stage was awarded a $126,914.00 grant from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust to begin Phase I of our restoration of the front façade. The Growing Stage has recently been awarded $215,296 to complete the front façade restoration which we plan to begin in the spring of 2011. This marks the 5th consecutive grant to be funded 100% of the requested amount for a total of $375,618 from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust.
- In May, 2009 TGS Director of Educational Programming Lori B. Lawrence received the 2009 Arts Educator of the Year from the Arts Council of the Morris Area.
- On September 25th, 2009 we unveiled a new lobby restoration and began a season long project that will complete the interior design work of our theatre. The project under the direction of TGS Resident Artist, Perry Arthur Kroeger, has been made possible through a $ 75,000 commitment of the R&R Family Foundation. The scope of the project included new energy efficient doors throughout the facility; exterior improvements to the grounds; and a complete re-finishing of the murals that currently adorn our theatre.
