Somerset
New Jersey
Villagers Theatre
Mission Statement :
The Villagers Theatre was founded in 1960 by twenty people who dedicated their organization to bringing ongoing cultural enrichment to the Central New Jersey Area. For over forty years, the Villagers Theater has been providing quality entertainment and community service to Franklin Township. We constantly strive to provide a diversity of theater styles and encourage the participation of a broad spectrum of the population. There are numerous opportunities to participate at the Villagers, either as part of the audience, part of the productions or as part of our business operations and we hope to see you at the Villagers soon.
History:
The Villagers Theatre was founded in 1960 by twenty people who dedicated their organization to bringing ongoing cultural enrichment to the Central New Jersey Area. For over forty years, the Villagers Theater has been providing quality entertainment and community service to FranklinTownship.
The Villagers presented their first production in October of 1960 in the Van Middlesworth barn behind what is currently Oconners Restaurant. By January 1961 the group swelled to over one hundred people as the Villagers became involved in plays, musicals, children’s theatre, puppet shows, variety shows, playwriting and art contests. The Villagers used the Van Middlesworth’s barn until 1979 when the property was sold and the building converted to commercial use.
Rather than search for a new home, the Villagers, at that time lead by Ron Schapow, decided to build their own. They convinced to township to lease them a piece of swampy ground in the back corner of what would eventually become the Municipal Complex. It was on this spot that the Villagers erected NJ’s first purpose built community theater in the history of the state.
The new theater, a prefabricated metal barn, opened in 1980. This “new barn” was the Villagers home for the next seven years, until changing fire code and access laws forced the Villagers to close their building. Rather than give up and move, the Villagers rallied the township residents and raised over $250,000 to renovate and expand the Villagers theatre into the facility that it is today. The renovated Villagers Barn Theatre opened its doors in September 1988. The main theater seats 222 people and the Black Box Theater holds 100 spectators. The building is both air-conditioned and fully accessible for the disabled.
Recent News
Villagers Theatre News: Haunted House - Cancelled
Haunted House - October 25-26, 2024 - Cancelled It is with great sadness that we announce that our Haunted House has been cancelled and postponed (until next season) due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize to both anyone who was planning on…
Read More »Call for Volunteer Crew and Actors for Villagers Haunted House
Call for Volunteer Crew & Actors! HAUNTED HOUSE CALL FOR VOLUNTEER CREW! We are looking for volunteers to help assist with Set Construction, Painting, and Prop Design for our upcoming Haunted House Event! We will be working on devising the…
Read More »'Burn The Jukebox - Youth Cover Band' at Villagers Theatre
Renowned for their ambitious endeavor of releasing a cover song daily for an entire year, Burn the Jukebox has amassed nearly 50 million views across social media platforms. This impressive feat has not only showcased their versatility and…
Read More »Seeking a Volunteer Facility Manager or Assistant
We are currently seeking someone who is willing to volunteer as our Facility Manager, or as Assistants to what will become a Facility Manager. The Facility Manager would ideally be: - available daytime, to contact and supervise vendors, that may…
Read More »Seeking To Fill 1 High School Role For: Guard *******
SEEKING TO FILL 1 ROLE FOR: GUARD ******* WINNER OF THE 2023 MIKE SOCKOL NEW WORKS SERIES Granted a Full Production STORY SUMMARY Seventeen-year-old Julie wants to be captain of the color guard, and Julie ALWAYS gets what she wants. The…
Read More »Summer Theatre Arts Experience - Finding Nemo Jr. and Beauty and the Beast Jr!
It's that time of year again for Villagers CAMP REGISTRATION! Our summer program offers extensive training in theatre arts, with an emphasis on a professional attitude, preparing the young performer for the stage. Students ages 7-16…
Read More »Villagers Theatre Announces Audition for ‘Monty Python's Spamalot!'
Villagers Theatre is holding open auditions for its Main Stage production of Monty Python's Spamalot! PERFORMANCE DATES: June 7-9, 2024 June 14-16, 2024 (Fri & Sat at 8:00pm, Sun at 2pm) AUDITION DATES & LOCATION: …
Read More »Villagers Theatre Announces Audition for ‘Guard *******’
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT: GUARD ******* CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT AN AUDITION APPLICATION NOW! WINNER OF THE 2023 MIKE SOCKOL NEW WORKS SERIES Granted a Full Production STORY SUMMARY: Seventeen-year-old Julie wants to be captain of…
Read More »Volunteers Needed! Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka
Villagers Theatre is seeking energetic, motivated individuals to assist in our upcoming production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka in a number of capacities - from rehearsals to performances, backstage to front-of-house! Available…
Read More »Register Now for MMM's Freaky Friday
We're thrilled to announce our latest production, FREAKY FRIDAY, and invite you to register your child for the unforgettable Miniature Musical Makers (MMM) workshop. About Miniature Musical Makers: Miniature Musical Makers is our tuition-based…
Read More »Audition Announcement: Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR AUDITION SPOT TODAY! Calling all candy lovers! Villagers Theatre is excited to announce auditions for our upcoming Kidsvill production of Roald Dahl’s Willy…
Read More »Villagers Theatre News - Calling All Playwrights!
The Mike Sockol NEW WORKS SERIES 2024 Produced by Darren Nye See your work performed in a live Reading! And possibly be selected for a Full Production Run! Villagers Theatre in Somerset NJ (Franklin Township) is now accepting…
Read More »Opening in One Week: SWEAT presented by Villagers Theatre
Villagers invites you to a Main Stage Production of.. SWEAT by Lynn Nottage Directed by Mimi B. Francis Buy Tickets PERFORMANCE DATES: Friday, Sep 15, 2023 – 8:00pm Saturday, Sep 16, 2023 – 8:00pm Sunday, Sep 17, 2023, 2023 –…
Read More »Villagers Needs Fundraising Help
In the past, you expressed an interest in helping out Villagers Theatre located in Somerset NJ (Franklin Township). We are currently looking for people to help with our Fundraising Committee. Villagers has major renovation goals for next summer…
Read More »Villagers Theatre News - Seeking Fundraising Volunteers
Villagers is seeking fundraising volunteers! Villagers Theatre in Somerset NJ (Franklin Township) has major renovation goals for next summer 2024 (in between our seasons). We need volunteers to help us reach our fundraising goals! Our first…
Read More »Villagers Theatre News - July 6, 2023
We have a thrilling announcement to make! The upcoming season at Villagers Theatre is just around the corner, and we can't wait to share all the fantastic shows and performances we have in store for you. To ensure you don't miss out on any of the…
Read More »Unveiling the Spectacular New Season at Villagers Theatre!
Unveiling the Spectacular New Season at Villagers Theatre! We are delighted to announce the highly anticipated lineup for the upcoming season at Villagers Theatre! Prepare to be swept away by a series of captivating productions that will ignite…
Read More »Register for Camp and Audition for Teensvill's Carrie at Villagers Theatre!
Dear Parents and Young Performers, Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to spend your summer? Don't miss out on the opportunity to audition for Carrie (ages 13-19) or register for the camp production of Shrek Jr. (ages 7-16) at Villagers…
Read More »Villagers Presents: The Eleventh Hour!
Villagers invites you to a Main Stage Production of... The Eleventh Hour! An original musical by: Dave Seamon Directed by: Mariella Klinger-Seamon & Dave Seamon THE STORY: The Eleventh Hour! is an original and irreverent rock musical comedy…
Read More »Villagers Theatre News - New Playwrights Series Starting from April 28
You're Invited To The Mike Sockol New Playwrights Series 3 plays are being presented on 2 different nights! FRIDAY APRIL 28TH - 1 PLAY (2 acts) 7:30PM: Guard ******* - by Molly Kate Babos THURSDAY JUNE 1ST - 2 PLAYS (1 act each) 7:30PM:…
Read More »Villagers Theatre is looking for volunteers - March 20, 2023
Call for volunteers! We're recruiting creative and dedicated people to help bring the joy of live theatre to more people in our community! Care to join us!? BECOME A VOLUNTEER Community Theatre is a great creative and social outlet! No Experience…
Read More »Villagers Theatre is Updating Our Volunteer list - March 18, 2023
Calling all volunteers! We're updating our volunteer lists, to note current theater skills and interests that you may have. Please let us know by clicking below! Also please share to any new recruits - we're looking for additional creative and…
Read More »Villagers Theatre is Looking for Volunteers - March 18, 2023
Call for volunteers! We're recruiting creative and dedicated people to help bring the joy of live theatre to more people in our community! Care to join us!? Become A Volunteer Community Theatre is a great creative and social outlet! No…
Read More »Villagers Theatre : Summer Theatre Arts Experience - Mean Girls Jr. and Shrek Jr!
Dear Parents and Young Performers, Are your kids interested in theater and performing arts? Do they love Mean Girls and Shrek? Then we have the perfect opportunity for them! Our Summer Theatre Arts Experience is back, and this year we'll be…
Read More »Final Weekend to See 'Sweet Charity' at Villagers Theatre!
Villagers Theatre proudly presents its Main Stage production of Sweet Charity, closing on Feb 19, 2023! Inspired by Federico Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, Sweet Charity explores the turbulent love life of Charity Hope Valentine, a hopelessly…
Read More »Villagers Theatre : Calling All Playwrights!
See your work performed in a live Staged Reading! And possibly be selected for a Full Production Run! Villagers Theatre in Somerset NJ (Franklin Township) is now accepting submissions for the 2023 New Playwrights Series. Selected plays will be…
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