George Street Playhouse

George Street Playhouse is a renowned cultural institution and professional theatre located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Founded in 1974 by Eric Krebs, a former Rutgers faculty member, the Playhouse initially took residence in a converted supermarket at 410 George Street. Its mission is to enrich lives through world-class theatre, focusing on producing intellectually and emotionally challenging new works, re-imagined classics, and educational programs that resonate with contemporary society. Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint since 1998, George Street Playhouse has been dedicated to creating new work for the American stage and providing a nurturing environment for new and emerging artists. Saint's tenure has been marked by a commitment to innovation and quality, which has seen the Playhouse's productions represented both on and off-Broadway. Notable productions include "It Shoulda Been You," "The Toxic Avenger," "The Spitfire Grill," and the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Proof" by David Auburn, which was developed at the Playhouse. In 1984, the Playhouse moved to a renovated YMCA at 9 Livingston Avenue, becoming a cornerstone of the New Brunswick Cultural Center. The Playhouse played a significant role in the revitalization of the city's arts and cultural landscape and has continued to serve as a vital cultural institution in New Jersey and a creative force nationally. In June 2017, it temporarily relocated to the former New Jersey Museum of Agriculture during the construction of a new, state-of-the-art performing arts center. Beginning with the 2019-20 Season, George Street Playhouse found its new home in the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, which features two state-of-the-art theatres: The Arthur Laurents Theater with 253 seats and The Elizabeth Ross Johnson Theater seating 465. This move marked a new era in the esteemed history of the Playhouse, further enhancing its ability to present high-quality productions and educational programs. George Street Playhouse's educational initiatives, reimagined in the 22-23 Season, align with the Arts EDNJ and New Jersey Department of Education's 2020 Visual and Performing Arts Learning standards. These programs prioritize teacher professional development, student learning experiences, and theatre arts teaching methods, emphasizing social and emotional learning competencies and the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Playhouse's commitment to its community is also reflected in its EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Values Statement, which celebrates the diverse identities and experiences of its audiences and participants. Additionally, the Playhouse's Touring Theatre presents issue-oriented productions that address topics such as tolerance, respect, climate change, and health and wellness to over 35,000 students annually. George Street Playhouse's programming is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and grant funding from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. On May 31, 2023, George Street Playhouse honored the recipient of the 2023 Thomas H. Kean Arts Advocacy Award, Withum, at its annual Gala Benefit, reflecting the organization's ongoing engagement with and appreciation for its supporters and partners in the arts.