Up Next: A Different Kind of Performance
Our Gang's First 5k Race - Sunday morning, May 20
An Our Gang fundraiser! Join us in Manahawkin for the first annual Our Gang Players 5k Race at St. Mary's Church of the Pines off of McKinley Ave. (behind the Walmart Plaza) in Manahawkin! If you're a runner (or walker), come out to help support the group on the USATF certified course. Fast, flat and very few turns. Day of Registration opens at 8am for $25 (pre-registration is $20), and the race runs 10AM-Noon. Learn more here >>
If you're not a runner, come out between 8-9 AM and volunteer to help on the course, at the water tables, and cheering on our racers - we need everyone's help!
Summertime
Our Summer Theater Camps!
Music, singing, dancing, games, we have it all -- on stage! We are CONFIRMED for use of the Horbelt School in Barnegat for the weeks of July 9- 13 and August 13-17. Download the registration form here.
As in previous years, the morning session is from 9 -12 AM for children ages 6-8. The afternoon session will be from 1-4 PM for children ages 9-12. The registration fee remains $100 + $15 for a camp t shirt. A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial hardships.
More great news -- our wonderful staff returns! Mr. Stephen Strouse, Mrs. Jessica O'Brien-Roy, and Ms. Natalie Jones. Can't wait to see you in the summer!
Sad News
RIP, Elmer Fawcett...Our Gang Guardian Angel
Elmer's services will be held on Monday, 5/7, at 10am and 12pm at Thos Shinn Funeral Home in Manahawkin. A church service will follow at 12:30pm at St. Mary's in Barnegat.
A Message from Miss Sherry...
"Elmer Fawcett, our beloved, dear friend, has passed away after a long stay in rehab after almost a year of declining health and hospitalizations. He was surrounded by his loved ones, Kay, Sherry, Sheila, Michael, his grandchildren and hospice nurses. I had the honor of visiting with him late yesterday and we spoke of the shows and the members of Our Gang who he loves and misses. He asked to be remembered to all of you and said that he sends you his love and will always hold you, your kindness and Our Gang in his heart! Please keep him and his family in your prayers and if you would like to send a card the address is 85 Sandpiper Road in Barnegat NJ 08005."
Please also visit us on Facebook as we share memories about our wonderful friend, one of Our Gang's BIGGEST supporters!
"...I will have such great memories of him and I'm so glad he was apart of my life..."
"...I'm glad that I was able to share the stage with him for so many years."
"Always put a smile on my face and had nice things to say..."
"What a wonderful person he was - he will be truly missed and our prayers go out to his friends and family..."
Thank You
Hope you got to see the gang perform in Joseph!
What a great run (March 22-25, 2012)! Thank you to our awesome cast and crew -- and especially our four wonderful audiences! We are also grateful to our hosts Roy Miller and the Surflight Theatre for allowing us the time and space to perform again on LBI. We can't wait to get back there again next winter!
Season 35, cont'd
Our Gang events to warm your winter (and spring)
Thanks once again for all your patience as we sort out our revised schedule for 2012. It took a month for us to plan our new schedule from the ground-up.
Our Gang Players is delighted by the offer from Roy Miller and the Surflight Theater to welcome us back to our old "home" during the cold winter months. Thanks also to Andy Dee and the Holiday Inn @ Stafford. We are delighted to make the announcement that from adversity comes three homes for Our Gang: Surflight, Holiday Inn, and the OceanFirst Theatre @ STAC. Three venues, One fantastic community theater troupe!
Now we hope to see all of you, our dedicated supporters, in the busy and exciting months ahead!
Junior Show
Thanks for going "Under the Sea" this Holiday Season!
Almost 130 performers helped us celebrate the Christmas season in Our Gang's own "Christmas Under the Sea" in early December 2011.
First performed in 1977, this season's version featured our first- through eighth-grade actors.
Special thanks to our families, friends, supporters, staff, and crew!
Performances - summer 2011
Oliver! ...a brilliant production with a sad ending :(
Thanks to all who joined us at the Stafford Township Arts Center to experience this classic musical! Period costumes and sets helped bring 1830s London to the STAC stage - all under the direction of Our Gang's own Perry-award winner, Jessica O'Brien!
We hoped for six performances but the final show was cancelled due to all the hullabaloo around Hurricane Irene. But the first five were unforgettable -- congrats to cast, crew, and everyone involved!
On Friday, August 26 the threat of Hurricane Irene led to local-area evacuations and cancelled our final performance. Then, due to the existing schedule of the Stafford Twp. School District, another show was not able to be scheduled. Our Gang Players, Inc. will do what we can to make good on all prepaid tickets for the Friday, August 26 show.
Thanks for your patience and kindness. We appreciate all our members and patrons, and all the love and support throughout the past 34 years!!
Sherry D Schnepp
Artistic Director/Co-Founder
Our Gang Players, Inc.
Awards for Us
Eight - 8! - Perry Award Nominations!
Our Gang is nominated for 8 NJACT Perry Awards! That's the most we've ever received!
Here's the list of Our Gang nominees (all from last summer's "Thoroughly Modern Millie"). Congrats - you all make us proud!
(1) Outstanding Production of a Musical: *Sherry D. Schnepp - Producer, *Jessica O'Brien- Director
(2) Outstanding Choreography: *Jessica O'Brien
(3) Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical: *Ryan PJ Mulholland
(4) Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical: *Rob Hillard
(5) Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: Jessica Evans
(6) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical: *Stephanie Brennan
(7) Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical: Tom Martini
(8) Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical: David Jones, Tom Rozue, Kim Pempenella
Performances - May
Conrad Comes and Conrad Goes...
A special thanks goes out to ALL FOUR OF our wonderful audiences at last weekend's performances of "Birdie" at the Stafford Township Arts Center. And another big thank-you to the dedicated cast, crew, and staff who make it all possible!
We hope you got to see the big finale at Sunday's Mother's Day show (best wishes to Laura and Scott)!
Hope to see all of you again in August at our summer show!
Season 35 Events
MAY 2012:
Our Gang
5k Race
Sunday,
May 20 * 8 am * Manahawkin.
An Our Gang fundraiser! Pre-registration for runners and walkers $20. More info>>
AUGUST 2012:
ME AND MY GIRL
August 3-4-5 AND August 9-10-11-12 @ the OceanFirst Theater, Manahawkin. Opening night will also be a "Red Carpet Event" with a special pre-show party & VIP seating!
OCTOBER 2012:
LEGALLY BLONDE
Oct. 11-12-13-14
@ the OceanFirst Theater, Manahawkin. Can a sorority girl make it at Harvard Law
School? Our Gang will help you find out!
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We Depend on Your Generosity
Support & Sponsorship
Over the years we have been so lucky to receive support from the business community AND members of our group. If it is more convenient than paying by traditional methods, please consider making a donation to Our Gang online. You will be helping us to survive another day and another season! Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Ocean County
Our Gang Players, Inc. is a proud member of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
Flashback photo
BELOW: Dan Culleny, 2007.
After performing with Our Gang as a Junior and Teen, nowadays Dan stars on stage in places like Orlando, FL, and Branson, Missouri. Congratulations and continued success, Dan!
We're so proud!