The Black Box 2023-24 Season Fundraising Drive

August 21, 2023

As a completely independent entity, The Black Box provides a safe space for important American voices to flourish, a comfortable and professional 'black box' for the new and world-class artists who will collectively help ensure that influential live theater and the related arts will once again regain their rightful place in our culture and society at large. We are currently in the unique position to specialize in the creation of risk-taking, cutting-edge material that is often hard to find today, all offered in our intimate new loft space just outside of NYC.

Starting in the Fall of '21, The Black Box sought press-worthy, artistically satisfying opportunities to save our Northern NJ theater during the height of the pandemic. This led to The Black Box’s theater-saving pivot, the ongoing 'incubation' of new and under-produced plays offered to us by world-class artists such as Paul Schrader, Beth Henley, Craig Lucas, Neil LaBute, Caridad Svich, and John Guare. Since then, we began collaborations with The Estates of Sam Shepard and IB Singer as well as with participating Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Hollywood-based artists Craig Lucas & Craig Carnelia, Nicky Silver, Migdalia Cruz, John Lahr, Keith Reddin, David Auburn, Ishmael Reed, and Halley Feiffer. Guest directors have included Broadway's Danielle Ferland, Gregg Edelman, and Dorothy Danner. World-class drummer/percussionist, filmmaker, and visual artist Billy Martin (of Medeski Martin & Wood) continue our first non-theatrical residency with a monthly series of ongoing solo shows and workshops.

In late Spring '23, Eric Bogosian’s 1+1 (which was developed at The Black Box in November 2021 and had its Special NYC Premiere in July '22 at The Chain Theatre) celebrated a formal Off-Broadway run at The SoHo Playhouse in February and March 2023. Also in March, The Black Box hosted Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) for a week-long developmental workshop of his new play IMAGINARY COMFORTS, OR THE STORY OF THE GHOST OF THE DEAD RABBIT, a poignant comedy/drama which will enjoy its East Coast premiere at The Black Box in very near future. Ken Levine's new play, GUILTY PLEASURES: AN UNAPOLOGETIC COMEDY, premiered here in May.

Summer 2023 brought new endeavors: The Estate of Edward Albee has offered The Black Box exclusive rights to produce a year+ long staged reading series of EVERY play written throughout the remarkable career of Mr. Albee, an honor that will long serve as a true highlight of our ongoing artistic endeavors. Our monthly series, From A To Zoo, started in May, with performances followed by a conversation with the cast, director, and Jakob Holder (Mr. Albee's longest-serving assistant and Executive Director of his namesake Foundation).

Additionally, Oscar, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer John Patrick Shanley workshopped a brand new play-in-progress, THE LOST YEARS, at the end of July to sold-out houses.

Coming up in early Fall: The Estate of Sam Shepard has offered us the opportunity to present the U.S. premiere of LITTLE OCEAN, a “lost”, never published play that will be presented with ACTION and THE UNSEEN HAND for ten performances only starting on September 21st.

In addition to The Black Box's work with these world-class artists, our educational branch continues to offer proprietary collaborative theater education for kids, teens, adults, and those considered "on the spectrum" (originated nearby in 2007 by Black Box Studios). Our community outreach includes our "Shakespeare in the Park Bergen County" series, which has presented new takes on classic plays free to the public each summer since 2018.

The Black Box is 100% committed to this vital work despite the publicly acknowledged lack of financial resources traditionally available for this: substantial grants and local support are virtually non-existent in our area and have been since December of 2021.

"Black Box is a vital source of marginally known theater. A unique collective--a theatrical treasure in Englewood." - Paul Schrader

"I was delighted when BB decided to keep working on my play, "1 + 1", eventually opening in New York City last spring. This talented gang brought enthusiasm, vigor and focus to my beloved work. They delivered a production filled with laughter, tension and a few tears. Thank you Black Box!" - Eric Bogosian

"Black Box is making theater the way it ought to be done—enthusiastically, thoughtfully, and with the audience in mind. My refreshing and inspiring time with these quick bright company members made me think someone should give them a ton of funding. Get to it.” - Daniel Handler a.k.a. Lemony Snicket

"The Black Box is a little jewel. In a warm intimate space it provides artists with the tools and support to create their best work. My experience with The Black Box was a joy — a truly collaborative atmosphere where everyone pitched in. The end result was a stellar production of my play. It’s the way theatre is supposed to be but so rarely is. I look forward to many more projects with The Black Box..." - Ken Levine

"Black Box in Englewood is an extremely vital space for developing performance artists in Northern NJ. I have been part of this wonderful community space for over a year now and I cannot imagine being without it." - Billy Martin

"The Black Box did the world premiere of my play EXPOSED with devotion and enthusiasm. I loved working with this gifted and passionate company. The Black Box is an important theatre space that struggles to survive. Give them money, give them money. Be part of the sublime." - Beth Henley

“…I went to the BLACK BOX PAC - an adventurous 50 seat theater company here in Englewood that takes me right back to the golden days of Off Off Broadway when we did theater for its own sake - and I saw a staged reading of a monumental new play - THE LOST YEARS - by JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY. It was thrilling and what a joy to see creativity abound and no money!! I felt that the level of the writing and the power of the play were right up there with the great American masterpieces. And, if that weren't enough, there was a talkback with the author and cast afterward with John speaking beautifully and straightforwardly about his life and craft. I think he said something to the effect of, "Playwrights are everyone." One of those magic nights that can only happen in the theatre and that make you grateful to be a part of it.” - Albert Poland

"Working on a new play with The Black Box was a joyful and useful way to develop a project. They were relentlessly helpful, good-humored, and intelligent! I commend and recommend The Black Box." - John Patrick Shanley

Your support will help us immediately. For further information, visit www.blackboxpac.com.

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