Happy December, all!
Where did 2025 go? How are we already halfway through the Perry season? Didn’t we just have the ceremony? Time truly flies in the blink of an eye.

This is the season where we remind ourselves to reach out: to loved ones, to friends, and even to people we haven’t connected with in years, while also celebrating the people who are here with us now. I feel so blessed to have my theater family in my life, whether we only see each other once a year at the ceremony or we’re together all the time! I’m grateful for my family, friends, my job, a roof over my head, and, of course, my kitty fur-babies, Sophia and Dorothy.

This Perry year, I’ve been especially appreciative of all of my theater family across the state. Seeing so much incredible theater reminds me just how much magic we all bring to the stage. Thank you to every theater, board member, production team, actor, technician, and volunteer who keeps that magic alive. I also want to thank the NJACT Board for making my job easier and for being such a joy to work with. I’m proud to serve this community, and my goal is always to lead with kindness and help everyone smile a little more along the way. We have a lot planned for next year and cannot wait to share it with the community!

And you know what I want for Christmas? You, yes, you, to nominate your stage manager, your Wm. Morgan Perry Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and your David P. McMenemie backstage hero Special Award honorees. It is never too early to submit nominations. Please don’t make me sad later when someone says, “Why wasn’t I nominated?” Get them in now!!

On a different note, each month I love highlighting a theater’s town. I always say: make a whole day of reviewing a show! This month, I found a few great links with restaurants, events, and fun things to do to turn your trip into an outing. Personally, I love stopping by the candy shop and the antique store (yes, I know I’m an antique myself who does not need sugar). And a fun fact: my favorite Halloween movie is Halloween, which takes place in Haddonfield, Illinois. They used that name because one of the production members was inspired by Haddonfield, NJ. So this month, check out a theater in that town or area and make a day of it!

Links to restaurants and things to do are below…enjoy exploring!

The Best Restaurants in Haddonfield | New Jersey Monthly

shop | Downtown Haddonfield

With much love and appreciation,