SummerStage at Leonia is a non-profit [501(c)(3)] organization which cultivates a love of the Arts, and nurtures education in the cultural Arts--theatrical, musical, and visual--in Leonia and in our greater community. Our annual theatrical event takes place the last two weeks of every July, so the heart of our Midsummer's Dream can be yours too.

What are SummerStage's Goals?

^1.  To produce a high quality musical suitable for family theatergoing in the mid-summer.
^2.  To encourage community participation in all aspects of musical theater production.
^3.  To establish partnerships with other community organizations.
^4.  To nurture education in the cultural arts, focusing on local schools and disadvantaged inner city youth.
^5.  To raise funds to support the Arts in the schools and expanded community.
^6.  To provide opportunities for mentoring.
^7.  To provide an arena for the visual and performing arts.
^8.  To promote awareness and community involvement through a widespread publicity campaign.

What are SummerStage's activities?

^1.  A Musical Play: Auditions in mid-May, followed by two months of intensive rehearsals, culminate in the staging of a well-known musical suitable for family theatergoing.  For our 2ooo inaugural season we presented The Wizard of Oz, in 2oo1 Peter Pan, in 2oo2 Carnival, in 2oo3 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, in 2oo4 Oliver, in 2oo5 The Sound of Music, in 2oo6 The Music Man, and in 2oo7 Oklahoma all of which were highly acclaimed throughout the area as spectacular and very professional productions of these classics.
Well over 100 people helped produce each show, which was enjoyed by over 1500 theatergoers, including children from our regional cancer program, "Tomorrow's Children," who were invited free of charge. We are excited to be staging Carousel, another family classic, in July.
^2.  An Art Exhibition: Talented student artists at Leonia High School paint various items of furniture in the style of the Grand Masters and then auction them to support their Fine Arts program. SummerStage theatergoers are treated to a viewing of these wonderful pieces and can bid on them in a silent auction before each show.

Who benefits from SummerStage?

^1.  The Sponsors: SummerStage donors will be pleased to know that their contributions will serve to nurture a love of the Arts in the expanded community. Sponsors will benefit from broad exposure to a grateful audience and an appreciative greater community.
^2.  Participants: SummerStage provides an opportunity for all participants--whether on stage, backstage, or in the audience--to glean insight into aspects of life and relationships presented in the play and in the artwork; to instill self-confidence, teamwork, pride in accomplishment, to further develop artistic talents, and perhaps even to launch careers.
^3.  Families: SummerStage activities often become a focus of family activities during the summer--bringing family members together in support of one another in a wholesome endeavor.
^4.  Recipients: SummerStage awards its net proceeds to the local schools, to disadvantaged inner city youth via The Fresh Air Fund, and to other local community theater groups expressly to support and nurture their cultural arts programs.
^5.  The Community: SummerStage serves as a focus of cultural life for the community during the summertime. Our greater community includes "Tomorrow's Children" from Hackensack University Medical Center, and disadvantaged children from The Fresh Air Fund. The Arts can turn young lives around. We want that to happen.