Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce an expansion of the theater’s award-winning Theater School with the lease of a storefront building in Downtown Millburn. The new space, totaling 2,500 square feet, is at 20 Main Street. This is the first property extension of the theater since 1996 and the first expansion of the theater’s footprint into Downtown Millburn. This expansion is a result of a board-approved strategic plan to move Paper Mill Playhouse forward, reimagining the Millburn theater as the center for musical theater in America.

Paper Mill Studios Rendering

The official ribbon cutting for the new space will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at 9AM on site at 20 Main Street, Millburn. The community is welcome to visit the new studios on Saturday, March 14 for an open house featuring free classes for students ages 6 to 15. Free class spots during the open house must be reserved in advance and are first come, first served with an online registration at PMP Studios. The theater’s spring session of classes kick off the week of April 20 with classes for all of life’s stages. For more information on upcoming Paper Mill Theater School offerings click here.

Paper Mill Playhouse will host two ‘Master Classes’ to celebrate the studio opening and the 25th Anniversary of the Rising Star Awards. Two former Rising Star winners will return to Millburn to share their expertise with students.  On Monday, March 30 at 6:30PM, Broadway performer Jelani Remy (Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud, The Lion King, Smokey Joe’s Café) will present a dance workshop for ages 11–15.  On Monday, April 6 at 6:30PM, Broadway performer Natalie Weiss (Emojiland, American Idol, You Tube’s Breaking Down the Riffs, Broadway’s Everyday Rapture) will present her ‘Breaking Down the Riffs’ vocal Master Class.  For Master Class times, prices and to register, email Classes@PaperMill.org.  Space is limited.

In June 2019, Paper Mill Playhouse engaged Posen Architects, LLC for the architectural design of the interior. In December 2019, Haas Construction Management, LLC began work on the renovation of the interior to create a space suitable for classes. Within the 2,500 square feet of space at 20 Main Street, Paper Mill has created two new studio classrooms, a reception area and two accessible bathrooms. The larger studio will be used for classes of 20-25 students and features a newly installed sprung floor and dance mirrors. Classes are typically held on weekdays from approximately 3PM–9PM, and weekends from 9AM–6PM. The smaller classroom will be used for private voice lessons and college prep offerings.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees adopted a new strategic plan “Paper Mill Forward,” created by managing director Michael Stotts and a strategic planning committee led by Andrew Gottesman on November 19, 2019 which outlines a roadmap for the theater through 2023. The vision of Paper Mill Playhouse is to be internationally recognized as the leading musical theater where new and reimagined musicals and innovative education programs are cultivated and produced. Paper Mill Playhouse is the place where artists, theater lovers, and students come together to realize their creativity and to be inspired by the theater’s unmatched passion and commitment to excellence.

According to the theater’s strategic plan the vision is guided by several goals that include making investments in quality art, artistic programming, theater employees and technology. The theater will work to build a vibrant audience, volunteer, and student/parent base that reflects the broad demographics of the region that will help sustain Paper Mill Playhouse and increase the theater’s capacity for continued growth. The plan calls for an expansion of Paper Mill’s value to the region, particularly Millburn and the surrounding towns with an effort to strengthen and promote the transformational work happening in the theater’s education, access, and outreach programs. The opening of Paper Mill Studios is one of many steps to realize this vision.

“We are thrilled to see our beloved Paper Mill increase their footprint into downtown Millburn,” stated Jackie Lieberberg, Mayor of Millburn/Short Hills. “The addition of Paper Mill Studios to our downtown will contribute a special vibrancy to the area and provide an increased economic benefit to our community.  We look forward to seeing parents, caretakers and students patronizing our retail shops and dining establishments –before, during or after class. “We are so excited to have them here!”

Paper Mill Playhouse is New Jersey’s largest producing theater and its community extends to all 21 counties and the New York metropolitan area. As the nation’s premier musical theater, the theater fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. Paper Mill Playhouse inspires over 220,000 patrons and students each season. As a not-for-profit theater, Paper Mill thrives because of donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and government grants. Paper Mill Playhouse a cultural hub for the community with over $20 million of economic impact each year.

“Paper Mill Playhouse is the economic engine for our Downtown district,” said Alex McDonald, Township Administrator Millburn. “Paper Mill brings hundreds of thousands of people into town and has made Millburn a destination. Paper Mill Playhouse is part of the fabric of this community.”

Paper Mill champions nearly 40,000 students each year with transformative education programs, which are at the heart of this not-for-profit organization. Paper Mill takes keen responsibility to ensure children have access to theater’s life-changing opportunities, regardless of economic, physical, or developmental challenges. Paper Mill responds with high-quality arts education, cultural partnerships, and outreach–impacting teens, aspiring artists, and families of children with autism and other cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Former Paper Mill students and Rising Star Award nominees and winners have gone on to take the entertainment industry by storm. Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married, Les Misérables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy), Ali Stroker (Oklahoma) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin, Mrs. Doubtfire), Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon-West End), Jelani Remy (Disney’s The Lion King, Ain’t Too Proud), Joshua Dela Cruz (Blue’s Clues, Disney’s Aladdin), Julia Knitel  (Beautiful, the Carole King Musical); Jordan Barrow (Madame Sousatzka) and Shanice Williams star of NBC’s The Wiz LIVE! all got their start at Paper Mill Playhouse. Paper Mill Playhouse alumni appear on Broadway, in national tours, and in television and films.

Paper Mill Playhouse Education and Outreach programs are proudly sponsored by The Goren Family and The Harmony Helper App.

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Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce student auditions for the theater’s prestigious Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and August Musical Theater Intensive on Saturdays, Feb 2 and 9, at Montclair State University, College of the Arts/Life Hall, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ. Students who earn coveted spots in the July Conservatory in the Senior (ages 15–18), Junior Plus (ages 13–14), and Junior Companies (ages 10–12) are directed and choreographed by Paper Mill’s professional artistic staff in a fully produced, original concert at Paper Mill Playhouse on Aug 2 and 3, titled New Voices of 2019: Learn Your Lessons Well.

An audition appointment is required. To request more information or to schedule an audition appointment please email Summer@PaperMill.org. For audition guidelines and other important information click here.

As one of the nation’s leading theaters, Paper Mill Playhouse has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Broadway industry. Since its inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and the New Voices Concert have ignited the careers of many notable performers. Among the Conservatory alumni are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), Jelani Remy (Disney’s The Lion King), Shanice Williams, star of NBC’s The Wiz Live!, and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon). For the full list of notable alumni, click here.

The New Voices Concert is the culmination of the five-week program. Also appearing will be numerous winners and nominees of the 2019 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards presented by Investors Foundation, who win scholarships to attend the Conservatory. Paper Mill Playhouse Education and Outreach programs are generously supported by the Goren Family and Harmony Helper.

Conservatory alumna Julia Knitel, who played the role of Carole King on the national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, states,

“Growing up, I was always in the ensemble. That was where I’d feel comfortable because I love being a team player. That’s one of the things that was so great about being at Paper Mill Playhouse, because in their Conservatory you had an equal amount of dancing, singing, and acting training every day. I got a great foundation in being a team player and ensemble member, and serving a production. The producers and creatives of Beautiful saw in me something they couldn’t find elsewhere.”

Noted Broadway talent agents and casting directors flock to New Voices every summer. Victoria Kress, Abrams Artists Youth Theatrical Agent states,

“(I’m always) super excited to head to Paper Mill Playhouse for their New Voices show! Having trained some amazing performers, I know this night will prove to be no different! It’s one of my best scouting field trips of every summer.”

Nora Brennan, casting director for Matilda, Billy Elliot, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, agrees,

“The kids were great, the show was fun and entertaining, and the material was tailored so that each child shone. Well done!”

Paper Mill’s professional casting partner, Telsey + Company, attends annually and often offers workshops to our advanced students.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory is a program of rigorous study allowing students to enhance their individual performance potential while developing a broad base of theater experience and knowledge. Students participate in intensive classes including musical theater performance, acting, dance, private voice lessons, and improvisation, while also attending guest workshops led by professional actors, directors, and casting agents. The final weeks are devoted to rehearsals for the annual New Voices Concert. The Conservatory offers the unique opportunity for gifted and talented young performers to work at their own level and challenge themselves to achieve new goals and learn new skills. Key to the curriculum is the development of self-discipline, respect, and a commitment to excellence that will serve these young artists throughout their lives.

Students can also audition for the theater’s August Musical Theater Intensive Program. This three-week program allows performers between the ages of 10 and 16 to build individual technique and learn about themselves as performers, explore their own abilities, and refine their skills. Like the July Conservatory, admission to the August Intensive is by audition only. Intensive students do not perform in the New Voices Concert; rather, the Intensive classes prepare a musical theater showcase for family and friends. The focus of this program is on strengthening skills and building self confidence in a non-competitive environment. Accepted students are placed in one of two sessions according to age. The small class size in each session allows for individual attention and instruction from the faculty.

Paper Mill Playhouse Director of Education, Lisa Cooney stated ,

“From the first day of class all the way through opening night of New Voices, we require our students to rise to the demands of this rigorous program. We ask them to work harder than they ever have before as young performers, and we strive to build an incredible ensemble company, while each student hones their own individual performance skills. Our faculty pushes the students to believe in themselves as professional artists and treats them as such. We find summer after summer that our students meet our expectations and more. When they move on to college or the professional world, they are ready for the challenges they’ll face, and time and again they thrive and ultimately live their dream of being a professional performer. It’s gratifying when they make a name or themselves on Broadway or in Hollywood, but even if they do not, the skills they learn and the work ethic they develop will serve them in any field.”

Stated Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill’s Producing Artistic Director,

“Paper Mill Playhouse’s Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and August Intensive are some of the finest programs for musical theater in the United States. It is amazing to see these young performers learn and grow into professional artists with a culminating performance produced by leading industry professionals.”

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