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Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre

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Coordinates: 40°18′28″N 74°51′37″W / 40.3078°N 74.8604°W / 40.3078; -74.8604
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A view of the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in 2023. The camera is situated in the middle of the House Right seating facing the stage. The outdoor venue is showing significant signs of neglect, and part of the stage has fallen away.
A view of the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in 2023.

The Open Air Theatre in Washington Crossing State Park in the Titusville section of Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, is a permanent outdoor venue with a six-month summer seasonand has hosted a variety of performances, including musicals, plays, concerts, and dance recitals. The venue is available for use by submitting a special use application to the Park Office.[1]

The theatre was built in 1935 as part of the New Deal's Works Progress Administration (WPA) programme.[2] It was designed by architect Aymar Embury II, who also designed the Cape May Point State Park Lighthouse and the New Jersey State Capitol Annex.[3]

From 2010–2017, the venue was leased by the Downtown Performing Arts Center (DPAC).[4][5] The company have now moved indoors and rebranded as the Music Mountain Theatre.[5] The company has no intentions of coming back,[5] and the theatre has remained closed and abandoned since.[6]

Early History (1935-Late 1900s)

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As part of the Federal Theatre Project the theatre was constructed in 1935.[2] Architect Aymar Embury II was responsible for its design.[3]

Downtown Performing Arts Center (2010–2017)

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Founded in 2001 by Virginia 'Ginny' Brennan, Downtown Performing Arts Center moved into the Open Air Theatre for the summer of 2010.[5] The company was led by Co-Artistic Directors Louis Palena and Jordan Brennan.[5] During their eight-year tenure, the company produced over 50 productions. Amongst these were numerous World Premieres, written by playwright Louis Palena.[5] In addition to their extensive list of "Mainstage" productions, the company ran a parallel programme of "Children's Theatre" shows, which were produced in a week and performed for two weekends.[5]

"Mainstage" Production History included:

"Children's Theatre" Production History included:

  • Sleeping Beauty [World Premiere] (2016)[9]

Curtain Up! Productions

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Due to the difficulties experienced with the weather they soon began looking for a new indoor venue.[5] In November 2013, the company founded Curtain Up Productions Inc. to fund the creation of a new theatre.[11] The two organisations worked together to fund indoor performances during the off season away from the park, including DPAC's annual performance of A Christmas Carol.[12]

Production History included:

Recent History (since 2017)

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A view of the tool shed and dressing room backstage at the Open Air Theatre. The ground has been eroded due to repeat flooding, and large overgrowth has taken root. One of the buildings is obscured from view by new foliage.
A view of the backstage of the Open Air Theatre in 2023. The visible structures are the tool shed (left) and the dressing room (right).

Downtown Performing Arts Center has since relocated indoors and changed its name to the Music Mountain Theatre.[5] The theatre has been "dark" and deserted ever since, though it is accessible to the public via footpaths and the original car park.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "NJDEP | Washington Crossing State Park | New Jersey State Park Service". www.nj.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  2. ^ a b UMD - Retrieved 2023-10-30
  3. ^ a b "AYMAR EMBURY, ARCHITECT, DEAD; Designer of Many Buildings and Bridges Here Was 86". The New York Times. 1966-11-15. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  4. ^ "Downtown Performing Arts Center - Lambertville, NJ". Yelp. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Just Upstage of Downtown: Episode 1: Back To Before on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  6. ^ a b Abandoned Open Air Theatre @ Washington Crossing State Park, NJ!, retrieved 2023-10-30
  7. ^ Democrat, Hunterdon County (2012-09-25). "'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' closes season at Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in Titusville". nj. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  8. ^ Kantor, Christopher (August 2016). "Open Air Theatre". Google Maps.
  9. ^ a b "The Open Air Theater". Foursquare. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  10. ^ Trenton, Ted Otten | For The Times of (2017-08-16). "Theater: 'The Wizard of Oz' at Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre". nj. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  11. ^ "Curtain Up Productions Inc in Lambertville, NJ". www.orgcouncil.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  12. ^ a b c Latimer, Ashlee. "Curtain Up Productions and Downtown Arts Center of New Jersey to Present A CHRISTMAS CAROL and A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  13. ^ Democrat, Hunterdon County (2015-03-23). "Curtain Up Production and Downtown Performing Arts Center present 'Rapunzel'". nj. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
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40°18′28″N 74°51′37″W / 40.3078°N 74.8604°W / 40.3078; -74.8604

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