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New Jersey producer James N. Vagias has founded American Theater Group, an ambitious new performing arts company that will offer musicals and spoken plays; a new musical reading series; and theater education programs beginning next fall at Hamilton Stage.

Known for their beautiful, intricate performances and tremendous educational and engagement efforts, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is our Artistic Engagement Partner to lead the way on the development of numerous programs designed to fully engage the region in interactive performing arts experiences.

The preeminent classical and contemporary ballet company in New Jersey, American Repertory Ballet, brings the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to state and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs.

New York City–based dance company Ballets with a Twist has everything you need for an intoxicating evening of entertainment. In the company’s signature program, Cocktail Hour, critically acclaimed dance-maker Marilyn Klaus’s extravagant ballet-vaudeville style shakes it up with Grammy-nominated Stephen Gaboury’s jazz and classical hip hop remixes and ultra-chic costumes by Catherine Zehr.

StrangeDog Theatre Company brings a different dynamic to Hamilton Stage, and will attract a new demographic to the Rahway arts scene. StrangeDog is a small group of award-winning young theater artists intent on developing and performing original, diverse work in a variety of genres and media.

Vital Theatre Company is a community of artists who believe that a shared theatrical experience profoundly affects people’s lives. The company creates stories tailored for children that challenge audiences to ask questions, make discoveries and engage in dialogue. Their mission states, “If one adult is inspired, if one child’s imagination is awakened, if one student is empowered, our theatre is important and vital.”

Some of the brilliant minds who are helping to make Hamilton Stage come to life. Hamilton Stage Architect Michael R. Schnoering (right) with Theater Consultant Joseph Mobilia, of Fisher Dachs Associates. Michael R. Schnoering, Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC

Hamilton Stage Floor Plan

This is the floor plan for the new Hamilton Stage. Feel free to take a look!

Rahway Arts District Tour

Pamela Cichy, a guest on one of our flash tours of the new Hamilton Stage, looks around at the space under construction and sees all of the possibilities.

Join Us!

A Beautiful New Home for Creativity and Innovation will Soon Open its Doors in the Rahway Arts District!

Principal Artistic Affiliate
American Theater Group
James N. Vagias, Artistic Director

Jim Vagias (left) Founder and Artistic Director of American Theater Group.
Steven Schwartz (right) Artistic Advisor of ATG’s New American Musical Reading Series.

In addition to a season of three fully-staged plays, American Theater Group will launch the New American Musical Reading Series. Artistic Advisor for the series is Stephen Schwartz, composer of some of Broadway’s most memorable scores including Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin. The series is an offshoot of Mr. Schwartz’s ASCAP Foundation Musical Theater Workshop, a national program held in New York and Los Angeles that features 40-minute excerpts from a dozen new musicals. From these twelve, Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Vagias will select the top three musicals — each to be rehearsed for a week with professional actors, who will give two full-length readings for the public, exclusively at Hamilton Stage.

Hamilton Stage Construction Almost Complete

Fast emerging as a regional destination for arts, culture, and entertainment, the Rahway Arts District will soon celebrate the opening of Hamilton Stage — a glittering new jewel box of a theater with 199-seats, a large, fully-equipped stage, and beautiful rehearsal and classroom spaces.
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Free Open House Preview May 19-20, 2012

Be among the very first to see inside this beautiful new state-of-the-art theater at our Open House Preview, Saturday, May 19, 10am to 4pm and Sunday, May 20, noon to 4pm. Admission is free!. Peek in on music and theater rehearsals, explore the art of stage make-up, converse with professional performing artists, and learn about summer camp programs.
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Featuring A World of Originality

Hamilton Stage will be home to six performing arts companies, soon to be announced, that will perform breathtakingly original plays, soaring dance, uplifting concerts, and delightful events for children. Also featured will be a parade of innovative visiting artists.
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Join Now for First Access and Other Benefits

Become a Charter Member of Hamilton Stage and be among the first to experience all the new theater has to offer.