South Orange Invitational
Founded in 2017 by South Orange Village President Sheena C. Collum and former Trustee Deborah Davis Ford, the South Orange Invitational was initiated to provide a fun day of friends, golf and dinner while raising money for nonprofit organizations serving the local community. This year, the Host Committee has selected interACT Theatre Productions, an award-winning nonprofit theatre based in the South Orange-Maplewood community.
About interACT
interACT Theatre Productions is an award-winning 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre of the community in SOMA, NJ. Founded in 2009, they are currently in their fifteenth season. It is their mission to be an inclusive, accessible, true theatre of the Community, creating opportunities for those who wish to be involved, novice or veteran, and explore works that create conversation, challenge the status quo, and embrace diversity, while maintaining high-quality productions.
interACT's projects include main stage productions, ranging from well-known, well-loved titles to brand new or experimental original works and adaptations by local playwrights; pocket theater productions including smaller scale benefit productions and small-budget or short-run considerations for main stage performances; and pop-up productions, employing seated and semi-staged readings of new plays with talkbacks with the playwright. interACT's education aspect includes fully produced youth productions, summer theater camps, masterclasses with broadway stars, and instruction in various aspects of the performing arts. For those interested in the production side of the performance, interACT offers mentorships and internships in Directing, Stage Managing, Lighting Design, Costuming, and several other areas of the creative staff. In the ever-changing world of theater, all of their participants are encouraged to be adventurous and explore the reaches of their imaginations both on and off the stage.
interACT is committed to building strong ties within the community by producing thought-provoking plays and musicals that entertain, challenge stereotypes and prejudices, create opportunities or view the betterment of life through art. Their mission of inclusivity and accessibility is a cornerstone of each and every activity in which they engage. They draw people together from different towns, different backgrounds, and different ages to be part of this exciting endeavor. On the production side, they reach out to the broadest possible array of performers and strive to create as many opportunities as possible for community members to take part in live theater, whether it be a Wall Street worker exploring their creative outlet or a determined performer looking to hone their skills.