Curtain Opens on New Theater Group

The Bayshore’s newest theater group is holding a karaoke party at 6 p.m. tonight, Weds. Sept. 7, at the Red Oak Diner in Hazlet on Route 35. The Garden State Players will raise funds with a gift auction and announce auditions for its first musical

The theater group was created by Lauren Matthews Raad of Hazlet, who graduated from Red Bank Regional High School of Performing Arts and minored in Theater at Rutgers.

For years, the Raad family had been active in local SOAR Productions shows. But SOAR is now working out of the historic Post Theater at Sandy Hook, making it too far for her 9-year old daughter, Gabriella, to make rehearsals after school.

An initial meeting of the Garden State Players at the Hazlet Library on August 24 drew more than 2 dozen interested people. The group discussed presenting a variety of stage productions for all audiences.

On the list of things to do is to find a permanent rehearsal space, stage manager and musical director. Some potential rehearsal spaces include the Cullen Center, Brookdale Community College Hazlet campus, and various school auditoriums in the community.

Holmdel's Bayshore Academy of Dance is lending its support -- and a choreographer -- to help the group.

Enthusiasm is running high among the thespians.

 “If I had one activity to do after school, I would choose theater -- because it does all the stuff that I love… dance, gymnastics, and theater,” said Gabriella.

Anyone interested in being involved or making a donation to the company can contact Lauren at Lauren@gardenstateplayers.org. The group also has a Facebook page.

 The Red Oak Diner is located at 2973 Rte 35, Hazlet