Paper Mill Playhouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paper Mill Playhouse

Main entrance
Address	22 Brookside Drive Millburn, New Jersey United States
Coordinates	40°43′40″N 74°18′33″W / 40.72778°N 74.30917°W / 40.72778; -74.30917
Operator	Mark S. Hoebee
Type	Regional theater
Capacity	1,200
Opened	1934
Years active	77

The Paper Mill Playhouse is a famous theater located in Millburn, New Jersey. It's a "regional theater," which means it's a professional theater outside of New York City that produces its own shows. It has about 1,200 seats, making it a pretty big place!

Because it's close to Manhattan, many actors and audience members from New York City come to the Paper Mill. It's so important that it's even called the "State Theater of New Jersey." In 2016, the Paper Mill Playhouse won a special Regional Theatre Tony Award, which is a huge honor in the theater world!

History of the Paper Mill Playhouse

From Mill to Stage: The Building's Story

The building where the Paper Mill Playhouse stands today has a long history. It started as a paper mill way back in 1795! A man named Sam Campbell built it, and it was called The Thistle Paper Mill.

After about 20 years, a fire forced the mill to close. The building was empty for a while, changing owners several times. In the late 1870s, another paper company used it until 1928.

Then, in the late 1920s, a writer named Antoinette Scudder and an actor named Frank Carrington had an idea. They wanted to create their own theater! They found the old, empty paper mill and worked hard for many years to turn it into the beautiful theater we know today.

In 1980, another fire damaged the theater, and it had to close for repairs. But it reopened on October 30, 1982, ready for more amazing shows!

The Theater's Beginnings and Growth

The Paper Mill Playhouse officially opened its doors in 1934. Its very first performance, The Kingdom of God, was on November 14, 1938. In the early years, the theater showed many different kinds of plays, both old and new. By 1941, it started focusing on operettas, which are like plays with lots of singing and music.

Over the years, many important people helped the Paper Mill Playhouse grow. Angelo Del Rossi joined in 1964 and worked there for almost 40 years, helping to make it a top theater.

In 1971, the New Jersey Ballet started performing their famous The Nutcracker show at Paper Mill. This special holiday show has been a tradition there every year since!

In 1972, the Governor of New Jersey, William T. Cahill, officially named Paper Mill the "Official State Theater of New Jersey." This shows how much the theater means to the state. It's known as a place of artistic excellence.

Many famous actors have performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse over the years. Some of them include Anne Hathaway, Kristin Chenoweth, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, and even Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brothers!

Overcoming Challenges: Financial Issues

Like many theaters, the Paper Mill Playhouse has faced tough times. In 2007, it needed a lot of money to keep its doors open. Luckily, people rallied to help, and the theater received donations to continue its shows.

To stay strong, the Paper Mill decided to put on more well-known shows that audiences loved. In 2008, the town of Millburn bought the theater's building and land for $9 million. This helped the Paper Mill pay off its debts. The theater now leases the property from the town for a very low price, allowing it to keep operating independently. Many people credit the artistic director, Mark S. Hoebee, with helping to save the Paper Mill during this difficult time.

Popular Shows and Seasons

The Paper Mill Playhouse is known for putting on a wide variety of musicals and plays. They often feature new shows before they go to Broadway, or bring popular Broadway shows to New Jersey. Some of the many shows they've performed include Newsies, Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, and Beauty and the Beast. They keep their schedule exciting with new productions each season!

Working with Others: Affiliations

The Paper Mill Playhouse works with other groups in the theater world. It's part of the Council of Stock Theatres (COST). This group helps theaters like Paper Mill work with unions for actors and stage crews. This allows Paper Mill to put on big shows, sometimes even faster than Broadway productions!

The Paper Mill is also a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, which helps support theaters across the state.

Learning and Growing: Educational Programs

Paper Mill Playhouse isn't just about watching shows; it's also about learning! They have a large theater school where kids and teens can take many different classes. These programs help young people learn about acting, singing, dancing, and all aspects of theater. They even have special classes for students with disabilities, working with VSA New Jersey to make theater accessible for everyone.

Shining Bright: Rising Star Awards

Since 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse has hosted the annual Rising Star Awards. These awards are a bit like the Tony Awards for high school theater! Every spring, high schools across New Jersey compete, and the awards celebrate the best performances and productions. It's a great way to recognize talented young actors and theater programs in the state.

Rising Star Award Winners