Interview: STEPHEN FREDERICKS of The Growing Stage in Netcong

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey will kick of its 34th Main Stage Season in with Really Rosie from October 4th through October 18th with book and lyrics by Maurice Sendak and music by Carole King. This is just one of the shows that will be a part of the 2015-2016 season. A Christmas Carol - The Musical, The Book of D, James and the Giant Peach and How I Became a Pirate will also be produced on their Main Stage. Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Stephen Fredericks, the theatre's Founder and Executive Director about his career and the exciting season ahead.

Fredericks founded The Growing Stage in 1981 following his graduation from Arizona State University. He has served as Artistic Director for the majority of the company's Main Stage productions and contributed as a playwright and designer as well. As a playwright, he has adapted and written 15 plays for young people either individually or in collaboration with Growing Stage Resident Artist, Perry Arthur Kroeger. The American Alliance of Theatre and Education presented Fredericks and the company with the Sara Spencer Award in 2008 in recognition of significant contributions to the field of theatre for young audiences. Fredericks also served for 10 years as Chairman of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance Board and currently serves on the PLOYTA (Producer's League of Theatre for Young Audiences) negotiating team for Actor's Equity.

What was your earliest interest in the performing arts?

My father was a director in community theatre and he first put me on the stage at a very young age. I believe I was 7 or 8, had one line, but I guess it was enough to encourage future attempts.

Do you have any mentors you'd like our readers to know about?

In addition to my father, my primary artistic mentor would be Dr. Don Doyle, my professor whose class in Children's Theatre at Arizona State University literally changed the direction of my life. We have remained in contact through the years, though not as often as either of us would like. When the theatre and I received the Sara Spencer Award from the American Alliance for Theatre & Education in 2008 he was the one that presented it. A very special moment. I have several business mentors as well that have helped The Growing Stage build a foundation to grow on for thirty-four years.

Who are some of the people you have admired in the arts?

I think anyone who has strived to make a career in the arts is an inspiration to me considering the challenge that every artist faces in realizing that dream. It's incredibly daunting, at times lonely, often frustrating, but the comradery and experience to create something unique is a treasured gift. I also believe that the people, foundations and institutions that fund the arts are incredibly inspiring because without their support dreams rarely have the chance to become reality.

Tell me about some performances that have inspired you.

From my Growing Stage perspective I consider pieces that stretch the preconception of our audience of what is children's theatre into what is better suited for adults - when we blend those two worlds into one I think we create something very special for both the audience and the artists we work alongside. Past productions of THE MIRACLE WORKER, THE SECRET GARDEN and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM immediately come to mind. I also believe that our effort to introduce new works in our genre though our New Play Reading Festival has helped to develop very thought-provoking and entertaining works such as WITH TWO WINGS, AND THEN CAME TANGO and this year THE BOOK OF D.

Why is Growing Stage such a remarkable venue?

In addition to the physical space that has been designed by Resident Artist Perry Arthur Kroeger to resemble a jewel box theatre, the fact that we are the only professional company in our State with its own space solely dedicated to young people and their families helps to make it special. We configured our stage and seating specifically for a child's enjoyment. Our audiences are limited to 250 per performance, the atmosphere we create invites and welcomes a young person's enthusiasm, and we provide each audience member with the opportunity to meet the actors after the show - not as the characters they just portrayed but as the artists that they are. One of the comments we often get from our audiences is that "this wasn't what we expected, it was so much more." We believe that stems from our commitment to this genre of theatre. It's all we're focused on, it's not part of a limited family series or an early morning pre-show - it's our mission and we strive to get better at it all the time. The other aspect is our accessibility, both physical and economically - our tickets start at $15 - where else can you find professional theatre at that cost?

Tell me a little about the teams behind your productions.

Perry and I have worked together as the designers for our productions for close to thirty years now. His talents include stage design, puppetry, prop building and mask making. He has worked professionally in all levels of theatre from Broadway to regional theatre, from Moscow to Netcong and he has created extensively in the visual arts field. I have been the lighting designer and artistic director for the majority of our Main Stage productions. Lori B. Lawrence, who is our Director of Educational Programming has designed and built the majority of our costumes throughout the years. Musical Director is Melinda Bass-O'Neill who first performed at TGS when she was 9 years old and a Snowflake in THE STORY OF THE NUTCRACKER. She went on to study at Ithaca College, toured nationally in TITANIC and performed professionally in a number of regional theatres. Our choreographer is Jillian Petrie who also first performed as a young child at our theatre and went on to study dance and choreography with a number of professional artists including Mark Morris, David Zurak and Gianluca Vincentini as well as with companies such as The Ailey Citigroup Theater; Queens Museum of Art; Alvin Ailey Studios; and the Joyce SoHo Studios.

Why is the Growing Stage not just for children?

Just like a well-crafted piece of music or a beautiful painting or sculpture is not age-specific, neither is good theatre and The Growing Stage strives to create interesting, thought-provoking works that both entertain and enlighten. All of our works are designed to stretch beyond the intended target age so that both younger and older siblings as well as their parents or grandparents can enjoy the artistic experience to its fullest extent. Speaking of grandparents - that is a growing audience for our Friday night performances and they don't even bring the kids!

What "surprises" are in store this season for Growing Stage Audiences?

We have a new, improved sound system and hope to have a new lighting system in place before the end of the calendar year. Our slate of shows feature the artistry of Carole King and Maurice Sendak's REALLY ROSIE to Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens A CHRISTMAS CAROL - The Musical to Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's new musical adaptation of JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH! We have the World Premiere of Cody Daigle-Oriens THE BOOK OF D and finally, we share the popular children's book by Melinda Long and illustrated by David Shannon HOW I BECAME A PIRATE which was adapted musically by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman and together with our audience sail off in the sunset. We will also be hosting musical concerts, a film series, the 5th New Play Reading Festival, and a few other surprises along the way.

Anything else, absolutely anything you want BWW readers to know.

We appreciate and read BWW!

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is located at located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey. For more information and ticketing, you can call them at 973.347.4946, e-mail the box office at boxoffice@growingstage.com or visit their website at www.growingstage.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stephen Fredericks

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