Our mission is to produce stimulating and intellectually provocative theatrical work at a high level of professional competence; draw from and enrich the Cape May Community
Our mission is to produce stimulating and intellectually provocative theatrical work at a high level of professional competence; draw from and enrich the Cape May Community; facilitate theatrical development and collaborations; and provide an educational theatrical resource for the community.
HISTORY
In January of 1853, the trustees of the Cape Island Presbyterian Church purchased a lot on the north side of Lafayette Street, at the corner of what is now Bank Street. Local builder, Peter Hand, designed and built their church. He designed a Georgian-vernacular style building with an oddly graceful, onion-curved, mosque-like belvedere. For the rest of the summer, Cape Islanders and visitors alike thronged the beautiful new church. In the fall of 1853, the Cold Spring trustees sold it to the Methodists.
The church served the congregation until 1898 when they moved to their new church at Hughes and Decatur Streets. The trustees sold the old church to Annie Knight. She bought it for the local Episcopalians, who had no building.
In the mid 50’s, one of the City’s proposed solutions to the increasing automobile problem was to tear down the church and an old fire station next to it to create a parking lot. The City purchased the Church for $2,000 and began demolition plans. However, an early Cape Island preservationist, Tom Harris, intervened to save the building. He pointed out that Cape May did not have a much-needed Central Community House. The City fathers agreed to support Tom’s effort. Incorporation papers were drawn up for the Historical and Community Center of Cape May (HCC), Inc. The Board declared the building available for art shows, dances, plays, association meetings, banquets, etc.
After running the center for 17 years, Harris grew tired of the job and its responsibilities. In 1973 Mayor Bruce Minnix suggested that the City take over operating the Center. The City converted its primary use into a Visitor Welcome Center, though it still served for meetings, plays and such.
In 1988, Michael Laird descended upon Cape May and incorporated Cape May Stage as an Equity theatre company. Laird, self-described as ‘an Equity actor and a director and producer and a sculptor and a playwright and a poet and a clown’ launched the first Cape May Stage production Sea Marks featuring Tom McCarthy at the Chalfonte Hotel in August, 1989. Ably assisted by Executive Director Angel Conran, during the theatre’s formative years, Laird produced plays at various venues in the Cape May community.
Get To Know Dancer / Actor Monica Cioffi as we caught up with her backstage at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY
Learn more about her…
Gina is a Long Island born, actor/singer based in New York City. She most recently appeared as Martha Vail in the York Theater's Mufti production of Subways are for Sleeping and Tanya in Mason Street's production of Mamma
Matt Gibson is an award-winning actor with representation in NYC & London.
Cait is a New York City based actor, dancer and singer who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University.
Eddie attended NYU for acting, training at the Stella Adler Studio and the Experimental Theatre Wing, and while he was there, he picked up a minor in Music, while also enrolling in the dance program at Peridance in Union Square.
Lance is currently a working actor out of New York City, and is loving every minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DlPRZyZpwY
Richard Lafleur is a Canadian born actor, singer, dancer, and aspiring writer. He is an alumnus of both the American Musical and Dramatic Academy…
Meet Carina Avila got her start in Los Angeles working on TV and music videos. She is now focused on transferring her early success to the theatre.
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Cape May Stage
Our mission is to produce stimulating and intellectually provocative theatrical work at a high level of professional competence; draw from and enrich the Cape May Community