THE GARAGE THEATRE GROUP INC
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As a theatre critic for North Jersey Media started to review plays and was impressed with both the quality of productions and the interesting and challenging plays they chose to produce. Soon discovered that Artistic Director , Michael Bias and I, have similar artistic sensibilities and we established a professional relationship and I now both direct and act for the Garage Theatre Group.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Working on superior scripts, with first rate, professional actors, designers and tech staff. With these people, I get to make meaningful theatre that's garnered criticalcal praise in "The Star Ledger", "Talkin' Broadway", "Irish Echo", etc. etc.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Schedule a six or eight play season, do large cast classic and original plays and maybe build a repertory company
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I both performed and took classes at The Garage from eighth grade until I graduated from high school. After graduating and after completed four years at NYU for drama I was honored to perform my one woman show at the Solofest. Both performing in shows and taking Michael Bias's classes were instrumental parts of my development as an artist and as a young adult. Michael's classes encouraged me to respect theatre and view acting it as a craft. What began as a hobby soon turned into a passion that I knew I would pursue throughout my life. Class was a time to learn and ask questions, a safe place to try new things without fear of failing or looking silly. Without these classes, I don't think I would have fallen in love with theatre. Performing in the Garage shows was THE highlight of my high school years! Often times in conversation with other alumni we say that these were the best years of our life! Through these shows I gained confidence and courage. I found a community, a family really, who shared my dedication to theatre. At the Garage, no one feels like an outsider. I made best friends at the Garage that I will have for life. In summary, I highly recommend participating in the Garage Theatre Group!!!
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The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
as a student and performer
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2006
My experience with GTG has been rich, rewarding, and reflective. Rich, in the way only live theater can provide; rewarding, as the parent of a child who, through involvement with the Youth Conservatory, has seen first hand and up close the nurturing and thriving of creative growth; and reflective with consistent offerings of plays that challenge the theatergoer long after the curtain has closed by way of provocative substance and creative presentation. While the theater suffers aesthetically with age - ripped my stockings on my seat while getting up - the performances trump! The Youth Conservatory is amazing under Michael Bias and his staff. Unlike other 'performing arts programs' Michael allows each student to find and nurture their creative bliss. Students are not limited to simply acting in the theater, but rather, are encouraged to explore all the avenues of the theater experience with an interesting hands-off approach which mentors, not meddles.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Watching the creative growth of the students in the Youth Conservatory.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Can the word "amazing" be overused? I am awed by the dedication and the way the staff
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Garage Theatre is the best kept secret in Bergen County! NYC-style theatre, right in our own back yard. Great staging, great actors, great productions, great direction, shows you can't see anywhere else, a terrific youth program - all in all about the best entertainment value out there. Don't just take my word for it - go see for yourself!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the terrific shows it puts on
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get them more money!
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the variety and depth of quality that Michael Bias brings together
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
very real and dedicated people
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
build its own Broadway-quality theatre
Ways to make it better...
they had a facility that was more worthy of the quality of their talent
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of visibility within the community and lack a more appropriate venue for showcasing their talent
One thing I'd also say is that...
you can't beat the value for the entertainment dollar
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
My husband and I were looking for local entertainment on a wintry Sunday afternoon and decided to check out the Garage Theater's production of Enigma Variations. We've been raving about it to friends ever since. The play was totally absorbing as the plot unfolded with one surprise after another; the professional actors, onstage alone for almost two hours without intermission, gave wonderful performances. Thank you. We wish you a long and successful life.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing a top level production without having to cross a river or pay a big parking fee
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
cordial and welcoming
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
do more advertising;have its own home with an artful lobby environment where artists could exhibit and bring in new people; offer grants for a competition to which playwrights could submit new plays; give two tickets monthly to a randomly selected person
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I'm a member of the Garage family. I performed in their Youth Conservatory and Summer Camp productions from the time I was 10 years old until age 18, when only leaving for college could take me away. The artistic experience Garage provides for children and adolescents is without equal: educational classes provide fundamental theatrical building blocks that can then be applied in rehearsals for productions. Garage provides seasoned professionals that act as teachers and mentors at every step of the process. Just as importantly as the theatrical experience of Garage, though, the atmosphere is truly phenomenal. As Chelsea (another reviewer on this page) wrote, the friendships made in Garage last a lifetime. Although most of us have since gone off to (or graduated from) college, my Garage friends are some of my closest friends and confidants to this day. As one example, Chelsea and I are actually friends from our Garage days (we were both in the shows she included pictures from!). The fact that Chelsea and I are both currently seniors in college but still feel strongly enough to come years later and share our feelings and experiences regarding Garage I think speaks volumes about the impact it can have on one's life. Looking forward, the people I've met through Garage will undoubtedly be an invaluable network of support and advice as I forge my way into the real world after graduating from college this June. To put it succinctly, as anyone who's been a part of GTG knows, "There's always a home for you at the Garage."
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
difficult to sum up. Garage is a huge part of who I am today.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2006
Everything I know about performing I learned from my experience with Garage. Michael Bias has dedicated his life to sharing his vast knowledge with his students, and I am so grateful to have been one of them. The Garage Theatre youth productions provided me with a community of artists and friends throughout middle and high school. In fact, almost ten years later, I am still close with people from my very first production of Free to Be You and Me at Garage. We are out of college and still talk about how well Garage Theatre set us up for our chosen profession. I cannot express enough how much this theatre company has inspired and changed the lives of so many young people. I am eternally grateful for my experience with Garage Theatre.
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The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I am graduating from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in May and I was accepted after auditioning with a piece I learned in Garage Theatre. I will be pursuing the dream that started at this organization.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The level of professionalism I encountered from everyone who worked here was astounding. From our directors to the crew, I was always surrounded by amazing role models.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Build its own theatre! I was with Garage before it had a "home base." We rented out high school auditoriums- a different one each show- to perform in. It now exists in the basement of a college. Garage needs and strongly deserves a beautiful new facility.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Our family has been part of the "Garage Theatre family" for many years. Our daughter has attended their fine summer program for several summers. In fact, our family vacations are planned around our daughter being able to attend both summer sessions. Each summer our daughter has learned and thrived in a caring, nurturing and supportive environment. She is also able to appreciate the "arts" by attending a weekly Broadway preformance. What an amazing opportunity! Our family also benefits from attending many fine preformances throughout the year that are available to the community. The Garage Theatre offers so much and enriches the lives of those who share in all they offer.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
share on a larger scale what if has to offer!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I've always loved the theater. When my son developed his love for it also I was overjoyed. Through the Garage Theater he had the chance to develop his passion through their exceptional Youth Conservatory Program and I had the wonderful opportunity to watch him grow through the musicals he was in and also to attend Garage's entertaining and moving equity shows which, director Michael Bias produces in this intimate theater. My son is now off to college pursuing his passion. A passion which he would never have realized if it wasn't for Michael and his wonderful theater. I still attend the adult and youth shows to this day. Don't let this gem of Bergen County slip by you. Go see a Garage Show today.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
wonderful people that I am friends with to this day. People who love the arts and want to support it.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
and would not have to worry about raising money and instead be 100% focused on providing great theater to our community, maybe in thier own little theater.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
The productions at this little theatre are top notch! There is a tangible feeling of community from the moment you enter the theatre, and being able to access a show up close, and participate in a talk-back with the actors and creators after the performance, makes this theatre experience outstanding! I would definitely come back and recommend this theatre group to others!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
attending multiple theatre performances from both their adult and youth groups - all were fantastic and very well received by the audiences!
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
How dedicated they are to serving the community and staying true to the power of local theatre to a community
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Helpful, passionate, and dedicated! Fantastic people!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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