Mission & History
PHOTO: Kevis Hillocks and Robert Barnes in Antoinette Nwandu's PASS OVER, directed by Devin E. Haqq (February 2020).
Our Mission
Luna Stage develops and produces vibrant plays about local and global experiences. We bring communities together for artistic events that spark conversations and create understanding and change. Firmly rooted in New Jersey's Valley Arts District - a crossroads of cultures - we celebrate the diverse voices that surround us. As producer, innovator, and educator, we are dedicated to eliminating barriers to participation, and nurturing the next generation of audiences and artists.
PHOTO: Production still from Luna Stage’s 2022 production of Shakespeare’s RICHARD II. Photo: John Posada.
Our History
Luna Stage was founded in 1992 by Jane Mandel and became a professional theatre in 1995. For its first 18 years, the company made its home in Montclair, New Jersey, first in a small space on Walnut Street and then in a larger facility on Bloomfield Avenue.
In 2010, Luna became a partner and tenant of HANDS, a community reinvestment and revitalization organization; we moved to the Valley Arts District as an anchor organization in the dynamic movement to inspire creativity, vitality, and community engagement in the Valley. We have a deep commitment to serving the audience that resides in this traditionally-underserved neighborhood, and to building connections between long-term and new residents.
Our artistic programs reflect our neighborhood and region. As producer, educator, and innovator, we work intensively with artists of multiple disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives, and prioritize partnerships that illuminate obscured experiences and amplify underrepresented voices.
By enriching our theatre programming with pre-and post-show events, film screenings, and interactive activities, we deepen the impact of our work, and invite new audiences to have access to and ownership of the work that is produced onstage. Our outdoor site-specific performances and Luna-wide pay-what-you-wish policy further support equity and access.
Luna Stage has contributed to the development of over 100 new works for the stage. Our World Premieres have had ongoing life on regional, New York, and international stages.
Luna’s unique approach to producing, as well as the work itself, fosters an environment of inclusivity, understanding, and infinite possibility.