The arts are back! There’s nothing better than catching live entertainment--especially during the holidays. Located in downtown Newark, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is America’s most diverse performing arts center and the heart of artistic, educational, and civic culture in New Jersey.
NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing artistry, music, education, and culture in the heart of New Jersey with transformational performances featuring an array of national and international performers. The performing arts center is a catalyst of change and renewal for the City of Newark and is committed to shaping the next generation of dancers, vocalists, and musical performers.
We spoke with David Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Executive Producer of NJPAC. He’s also a Newark native. After a professional career as a musician, he ran the Apollo Theater for ten years, after which he was offered the opportunity to work at NJPAC. “It was important to me to create diverse programs that resonate beyond the four walls of the venue—not just fill seats,” he says.
His return to the city of Newark is particularly gratifying. “It reflects what I hold dearest,” he says. “Diversity, performing arts, and making a long-term impact.”
Bringing NJPAC programs to underserved communities is a significant focus of the organization’s efforts. “We are the largest arts education program in the state, and we serve school districts in every county,” says David. “We fill the gaps where the arts have been cut from school programs. There are arts education programs under the auspices of NJPAC in churches and community centers, too. We aren’t just selling tickets to a headliner. We are focused on creating a relationship as opposed to a transaction.”
No one is turned away because of the inability to pay at NJPAC. “The arts are important for the soul,” says David. “They help us to understand each other’s cultures. The underserved have fewer resources and more barriers to reaching the arts. Our programs put kids from Newark and Short Hills together in the same class, and they are able to discover that they share passions for the same things. In a world with so much disagreement, it’s important to have something in common, such as a love of the arts.”
NJPACs unique mission makes it a desirable venue for guest performers who get the opportunity to become role models for the community. “George Clinton was here recently. He is originally from Newark, and it was amazing to see him go into the public schools to perform a concert and share his experiences of growing up in Newark. He later admitted to me that he was rarely ever that nervous! But it was a wonderful interaction, and the kids were proud to see someone of that level of success coming from their own community. For a performer, it’s not just a stop on the tour. It’s more rewarding than that—they get to make a difference.”
NJPAC recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an all-star gala on October 1st, as the Arts Center hosted its Women@NJPAC Spotlight Gala fundraiser featuring headliners Regina Belle, Laura Benanti, George Clinton, Savion Glover, Christian McBride, and more. The event honored founding Chairman Ray Chambers and the Chambers family, raising $2.2 million for NJPAC’s extensive arts education and community engagement programs.
Looking forward to the holiday season, NJPAC will continue its tradition of excellence in presenting classic and creative performances. Now is the perfect time to support NJPAC by bringing the family to a show. Take a look at what’s in store.
On Sunday, December 11, NJPAC welcomes the State Ballet Theater of Ukraine to perform The Nutcracker. Bring the family to celebrate tradition and nostalgia with this much-loved classical ballet. Ukraine’s national ballet troupe elevates the performance to new heights with choreography by Andrei Litvinov.
Light up the holidays on December 13 with Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas. This magical family show is performed in complete darkness, illuminated with electroluminescent costumes, puppets, and scenery set to classic and current holiday hit music. Kids of all ages (and adults!) will be dazzled as the North Pole comes to life in front of their eyes.
If you and yours prefer a more “reimagined” version of a classic, check out The Hip Hop Nutcracker on Saturday, December 18, returning to the stage for its seventh season. This contemporary dance spectacle is a remix and reimagination version of Tchaikovsky’s ballet with supercharged hip hop choreography--a truly inspirational holiday event.
The fun continues with Cirque Dreams Holidaze, lighting up the day after Christmas (December 26) with an electrifying stage spectacular. Broadway director Neil Goldberg has assembled the most unique cast of incomparable cirque artists and theatrical talent to wow audiences with a new cirque adventure wrapped into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family.
Get your holiday entertainment signed, sealed, and delivered, reserve tickets for a show (or all of them!), and celebrate the arts in a place that creates positive change.
njpac.org