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The Barnegat Township School District is finalizing a contract with the newly formed Ocean Professional Theatre Company that will make the high school the company's home stage, and both parties say they're excited about the agreement.
Steve Steiner, director of the new performing arts nonprofit and former artistic director at Surflight Theatre on LBI, said OPTC looked at a number of options before settling on Barnegat. The high school offered a lot to be excited about, he said.
"It's certainly the best designed facility in the area," he said. "It was built to be able to expand its capabilities," from an electric setup that can handle more lights as needed and a sophisticated curtain system. "The quality of the work that we're going to be able to do is enhanced by the capabilities of the space," Steiner said.
Also a big plus is the established drama program at the school, he said. Drama and stagecraft teacher Kerry DeBari has fostered great talent in Barnegat, said Steiner, and OPTC is looking forward to including students in its productions through programs designed to give them experience working with professional actors.
"Where she has taken her kids is far beyond where high school kids are often taken," he said, "and that's going to help tremendously as we build an intern program" – for college-age students – "and an apprenticeship program" – for high schoolers.
And when it comes to casting younger roles in musicals and plays, "we're going to be working with Kerry to design a program that gives first shot at parts to the Barnegat students," Steiner said.
The residency-style program will allow students in grades 9 through 12 in Barnegat and nearby districts to get onstage and backstage experience tuition-free, according to a joint press release issued by OPTC and the district earlier this week.
Barnegat Schools Superintendent Karen Wood said school officials are excited about the partnership, too.
"The Barnegat Township Schools will be able to impact our community in a positive way, bring live professional theater to southern Ocean County and expose our students to the arts and production of professional shows," she said. "It will be wonderful to afford this opportunity to our students."
The agreement will also benefit the school district financially, Wood said, though details on fees paid by OPTC won't be available until a year-long contract is signed. she said. The contract is in front of lawyers now, she said, and would be finalized soon.
Steiner's Ocean Professional Theatre Company recently produced two holiday shows in Toms River. Previously a performer and director in New York, Steiner spent twelve years as artistic director at Surflight before parting ways with the theater's leadership because of differences over how to best fix Surflight's financial problems. The LBI nonprofit announced last month that it had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The planned 2012 season at Barnegat High School will include productions of Sunset Boulevard,Man of La Mancha, Titanic the Musical, Ring of Fire – the Music and Story of Johnny Cash, I Left My Heart – The Music of Tony Bennett and a world premiere play, The Poe Mysteries.
Jim
1:07 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
Boy is that good news for us. The performances we have seen at Surflight have been pretty good. Now the performances will be much closer. LBI can be a hassle. Hopefully with a fresh start, and no mortgage, their ticket prices won't be so high in the future. I'd go to most things of their events - and bring the family, but it was too expensive.
Bruce Baker
4:06 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
How come Steve Steiner's group is allowed to use the theater facilities and OUR GANG PLAYERS ARE NOT? Considering the TOTAL non-profit status of Our Gang, never been part of Actor's Equity, let alone the less than friendly effort to remove Our Gang from the Edwards Facility... never allowing Our Gang to repair or to upkeep the Edwards building ... how can this offering be made to Steiner's group and not to other NON-PROFIT Community theater groups? Considering the obstacles that must be overcome at The STAC/ OCEAN FIRST THEATER and the performances of OUR GANG PLAYERS is truly unpaid amateurs who live, work, go to the schools of Barnegat, Waretown, Manahawkin ... How is it .. This semi-professional PAID group is allowed to use the theater facilities? Something is not right and QUESTIONS need to be asked. How about we ask some more questions and get some more answers before we close this deal, eh? Wouldn't that be prudent?
Bob Wise
5:49 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
I find it outrageous that the Patch allows people like Mr. "BeyondReality" to make claims that a private individual (in this case Karen Wood) "stole" money. I hope Ms. Wood and our school district takes this accusation of a crime very serious and takes legal action against Mr. "BeyondReality". Also, the Patch should be held responsible for allowing these criminal charges to be made public if they don't take responsibility for correcting the defamation of character printed here. Private employees have rights and I hope that Mr. "BeyondReality" is held responsible for making these libelous remarks.
Bob Wise
9:39 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
You sir are a real class act. Some of us believe in the law. Your libelous remark that Karen Wood "stole" money is a disgrace (not to someone like you) but to those of us that have respect for the law. I hope that if the BOE sues Graelyn Brashear over your comments that she in return has you prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
BeyondReality
12:19 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Yea Ill hold my breathe...
Karen Wood is responsible to the tax payers of this town. And whatever personal relationship you have going with her does not mean that she should not be held just as accountable as you try and hold the township committee. Theres nothing worse than a hypocrite.
And I dont know what "Law" you are referring to. But if you are referring to the "law" that requires people who hold office in a township or public sector to be fiscally responsible and honest. The same law that requires public finances to be out in the open and not hidden. Than yes, I do believe in it and believe that those who break it should be held responsible (BOE).
And my Morality (Not to someone like you) would demand that in the face of such a blatant disregard for the taxpayers of this town, I would take full responsibility for this dishonesty and do whatever I could to pay it back to those who it belongs to. I am not saying that Karen Wood concocted a plan to steal from the taxpayers but it happened on her watch, she is the president, the buck stops there.
Bob Wise
2:07 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Sir, you said "Give back the money you stole" naming Karen Wood. You are accusing this woman who is not an elected official of a crime. The funny thing is that you have violated several terms of service. Your attack on this woman has nothing to do with this great story about something positive for our town. You committed libel on a individual. Also, I don't think attacking someone by calling them a "doucher" is acceptable behavior. Well we will see. I reported you comments and lets see if Graelyn Brashear, the editor of the Patch condones your behavior as what she excepts on the Patch. Again I hope you are prosecuted to the full extent of the law for you false statement, as Ms. Wood has not "stole" any money. Your comments have no credibility, as your behavior is reprehensible. It is so sad to see the Patch used as a libel machine by the likes of people like you.
Mike Howard
7:38 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Unless i'm not seeing the big picture here, this agreement sounds like win-win for all of Barnegat Twp. on so many levels. First it allows our student a front row into the makings of these productions. I have heard and seen our students act and sing, so it will give them a chance to be in these plays. The people of Barnegat will not have to leave town to enjoy these great shows while people from other towns will now come into Barnegat and not just drive though on Rt9. That should make our business owners happy. There is new money coming into the school system that is not shouldered by the taxpayers. So I guess the question is, what's the down side?
Bob Wise
10:48 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012
It's a fantastic thing for our town Mr. Howard. It says a lot about our committee though, that they would have their supporters attack the good people who are involved. The editor removed the vulgar and libelous posts by Mr. BeyondReality. I have a copy of them in cast the school district would like to take legal action. We have to stand together against those with such low moral values that don't respect the basic laws of our society. Again, best of luck to this new theater company.
BeyondReality
1:00 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Mr Wioucher,
the hypocricy in this town is staggering. To think you will hold one person in such high accountability (Which I agree with by the way) and than in the same day not hold another elected official to the same standard because you have a personal relationship with her is unbelieveable.
I encourage you to hand deliver my comments to the board. Hopefully they will read them and face the responsibility of their actions. I Love this "Prosecute to the fullest extent of the law" Stuff, to much CSI much? You elmers make me laugh. You complain and complain but refuse to hold yourself or friends to the same standard. You might want to get off patch you might miss your matinee movie.
And way to use my comment about low moral values and repeat it. It speaks highly for your staggering case that your building for yourself. Low moral values = allowing someone to lie and cheat and not hold them to a responsibility level that you spend all day doing to others. This is why no one takes your comments seriously.
Make sure you copy this post. You may one to "Prosecute me to the fullest extent of the law" for the matinee comment. HAHAHAHAHA...
Bob Wise
2:09 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Mr. Howard as someone who has bought honor to Barnegat by serving in our police department, I am glad we have people like you. As you can see by the juvenile comments from this poster above, we need good moral people to set standards. I am happy that Mr. BeyondReality had his vulgar and libelous posts removed. It says much to his character and respect for the law, and those of us that follow it. Libel laws are on the books for a reason, and again I hope this person is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. What I don't understand is why this obnoxious miscreant behavior is tolerated on the Patch, while Mr. Lightbody was banned.
BeyondReality
4:06 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2012
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories. Da Daaa
Bob Wise
7:21 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2012
Ironic as we mourn someone who believed in the law... http://barnegat.patch.com/articles/a-year-later-tears-over-a-smile-sorely-missed In Barnegat we have people of such low moral character, that they make fun of the law they have no respect for. Mr. BeyondReality your actions disgrace those who wear a badge. very sad. I'm glad you have stopped making you libelous remarks though.
BeyondReality
9:27 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2012
hahahaha... riiiiggghhhhhtttttt....
Wiouche you better get to bed. You dont want to miss you matlock marathon tomorrow. Warm up a nice glass of milk and it will put you right out.
Where did you get the low moral character line from? Super original. Caught me totally off guard.
But I find it awesome how you pull an officers death in the LOD into such a mature argument. There is nothing like dropping so low that you would think to twist an officers death to try and make your point. Its people like you who give the elderly a bad name. Always think you are right, hypocrites, and think everything is owed to you and those you have relationships with.
Bob Wise
9:56 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2012
Thanks for proving my point. Classy!
Bob Wise
2:39 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Mr. BeyondReality, educate yourself by reading this http://barnegat.patch.com/articles/boe-fires-back-at-committee-claims-budget-criticisms-politically-motivated Then apologize for your false accusations against Karen Wood. Then join the rest of Barnegat by calling for the whole Committee to step down. You say "the hypocricy in this town is staggering." Well, hold your Committee accountable then and make them "take full responsibility for this dishonesty". Or will you just do what the Committee does when it makes false claims they can't back up... not show up.
Ken Bank
4:46 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012
I hope they do "Robin Hood" starring the Mayor of Barnegat as King John and the Deputy Mayor as the Sheriff of Nottingham. They wouldn't have to act.