Mission & History
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.
Shakespeare’s RICHARD II. Photo: John Posada.
About Luna
Luna has contributed to the development of over 100 new works for the stage. Voted Favorite Small Theatre of New Jersey, Luna was recently granted a Venturous Theatre Plays For Now commission, awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant, honored with The Giles R. Wright Designation for Excellence in African American History, and received a 2026 NJEDA Activation, Revitalization, Transformation (A.R.T.) II grant to create community-inspired work in underserved public spaces.
In addition to producing a year-round season of bold new plays at our theatre in West Orange, Luna also transfers plays Off-Broadway and tours internationally. Our world premiere Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library is now playing at 59E59 Theaters (its third Off-Broadway venue!) after a sold out run at Scotland’s Traverse Theatre. Our commissioned world premiere RIFT also transferred to the Traverse, where it received the 2025 Scotsman Fringe First Award. Other Luna world premieres include Tony Award winner Matthew Lopez’s breakout play The Whipping Man, which went on to become one of the most widely produced plays in American regional theaters.
Luna also offers a wide array of theatre classes for youth and adults, summer camps for kids, and a Teen Summer Conservatory as well as in-school residencies and performing arts workshops. Luna’s physical facility, which is also available for rental by community organizations, includes a 99-seat flexible MainStage and a 50-seat blackbox Studio theatre, as well as rehearsal and classroom space, a small scene shop, offices, and a lobby which doubles as a gallery.
Luna Stage was founded in 1992 by Jane Mandel and became a professional theatre in 1995. For eighteen 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, we moved to our current location in the Valley Arts District as an anchor organization in the dynamic movement to inspire creativity, vitality, and community engagement in the region.
We've been described as "the best kept secret in Essex County," "a perfect date night," and "world class theatre in your own backyard!"
All Luna Stage programs, classes, camps, and performances are Pay-What-You-Choose to promote equity and access to professional arts experiences in our region.