(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse recently unveiled The Next Act Campaign, a bold philanthropic campaign that will lead the historic institution into the future and transform Paper Mill into a state-of-the-art theatrical and educational space for patrons, students, artists, and community members.
For 86 years, Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive) in Millburn has produced the highest quality of work in musical theater. A home for cherished revivals and an incubator for new works, Paper Mill has established itself on the regional, national and international stage through numerous Broadway transfers and a reputation for excellence, including the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2016. Paper Mill welcomes more than 200,000 audience members each season, including over 15,000 subscribers, and brings theater and the arts to over 40,000 students every year.
Following the 2018 refurbishment of Paper Mill’s main theater space, the Ferolito Family Auditorium, and 2022 upgrades to backstage production technology, The Next Act Campaign lays out a vision to renovate and modernize Paper Mill’s entire facilities and campus. Infrastructure improvements are planned to include:
* Front of house construction that will transform the arrival experience for Paper Mill audiences, including expanded outdoor courtyard and green space; a re-envisioned entrance and double storied lobby connected by a grand staircase; increased restroom facilities; expanded lobby spaces to accommodate concessions, merchandising, improved accessibility features; and site improvements that include repairs to retaining walls, improved exterior lighting, signage and on-site parking.
* Back of house modernization including a new HVAC system, new roof systems and refurbished dressing rooms, costume and wig rooms, administrative offices, and other support spaces.
* Expansion of the F.M. Kirby Carriage House Restaurant, owned and operated by Paper Mill, to double its current seating capacity, improve accessibility and add a much-needed function space. A key architectural element is the re-recreation of the façade of the existing theatre as the southern exterior wall of the restaurant, creating a new “gateway” to the entire campus.
The plan also includes the future relocation Paper Mill’s world-class Education department to a new facility in downtown Millburn, housing new dance and rehearsal studios, private coaching studios, a black box theater, and other office and meeting spaces. The site has not yet been confirmed.
The Next Act Campaign has a $43.7 Million fundraising goal, of which over $30 Million has already been raised from the State of New Jersey ($4.625M), the Township of Millburn/Short Hills ($7M) and private philanthropy ($19.3M). The 30 member Board of Trustees is chaired by Carolyn Ferolito. The Next Act Campaign is being chaired by W. Theodore Burke, a member of the Board of Trustees. The Chair of the Facilities Committee is Ian Mount, also a member of the Board.
“The roots of Paper Mill Playhouse run deep in Millburn, Essex County, New Jersey, nationally, and throughout the world,” said Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director and Mike Stotts, Executive Director. “As stewards of this theater, we are committed to ensuring Paper Mill remains a cornerstone of our community for generations to come. The Next Act Campaign is essential to that vision. The renovations will not only preserve the rich history of our theater and surrounding campus but will greatly enhance the experience for our patrons and artists alike. These necessary upgrades will allow us to create a more welcoming and accessible environment.”
Mike Stotts (Executive Director) and Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director), photo by Daniel Rader
“By improving our facilities, we will be better equipped to serve the diverse needs of our growing community, offering a space where people can come together to share in the joy of the arts. This campaign is an investment in our shared future, and we are grateful to everyone who supports this transformative vision and the exciting future ahead.”
“Our community is ready, and the leadership of Paper Mill is dedicated to making this vision a reality. This is more than a campaign — it’s our chance to shape the future. Together, we can build something extraordinary that will inspire and enrich generations to come,” said Ted Bourke, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Next Act Campaign.
For more information on The Next Act Campaign, visit https://papermill.org/TheNextAct/.
Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2024-2025 season continues with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (November 27-December 29); the new musical Mystic Pizza (January 29-February 23); the world premiere musical Take The Lead (March 29-April 27); and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (May 29-June 29).
Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including The Great Gatsby, Disney’s Newsies, Bandstand, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Les Misérables (25th Anniversary production). The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
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