Spotlight on nj playwrights
Explore exciting new works by New Jersey playwrights as ATG, in partnership with the Union Arts Center, presents a three-day Spotlight on NJ play reading event at the intimate DMK Black Box Theater. A Q&A session with the playwrights and actors will follow each reading. Ticket prices are $10 per reading or $25 for a three-day pass.
Monday, July 6 — 7pm
The Judge and His Daughter
by Ruth Apolonia Zamoyta
A fictional conservative Supreme Court justice whisks away his environmental-radicalist 16-year-old daughter to a camp in the Adirondacks when she is suspended for destroying her school’s air conditioning system with a sledgehammer. As they will be living in the wilderness alone for three months, they submit to the family psychologist’s rules designed to help them get along: He can’t talk about God or banish her to her room. She can’t blame him for everything and has to relinquish her phone. The plan works; the two are starting to enjoy each other’s company and are discussing the Supreme Court docket. But when the judge reveals his ulterior motive for bringing his daughter to the camp, he is faced with the hardest decision of his life: ideology or family?
Tuesday, July 7 — 7pm
Barklee by Tom Cavanaugh
What happens when a dog is recruited to be a Service Protection Dog to a 16-year-old boy, and that dog doesn't feel like he belongs in that job? Barklee is a dog that talks to the audience as he experiences his first day on the job and learns about the job and the boy. Barklee and the boy go to school, and both become popular. The school rules that the dog is not allowed, so the boy's mom gets a lawyer and takes the school district to the NJ State Supreme Court. This dramedy is based on a true story set in New Jersey.
07:00 PM
Wednesday, July 8 — 7pm
Mariana by Joseph Gallo
Haunted by the spirit of her recently dead husband, Mariana wants desperately to stay in the house they shared for more than 35 years. But after taking a job in a factory, she soon finds herself in a fight for her life. A tale of human resilience, Mariana combines elements of naturalism, choral work, fantasy, and story theatre to ask one of life’s hardest questions..., How is a widow supposed to survive in this world?
Charlotte cohn appointed new
producing artistic director
American Theater Group is thrilled to announce the appointment of Charlotte Cohn as our new Producing Artistic Director, marking an exciting new chapter in our artistic and organizational evolution. Cohn, an accomplished theater director, producer and performer will assume her role at ATG beginning June 15th2026, collaborating with our retiring Producing Artistic Director James Vagias, who co-founded the company in 2012. She will guide ATG into its next phase of growth, building on a strong foundation of artistic excellence, community engagement, arts education as well as new play development.
“Charlotte first came to ATG as a director of our acclaimed production of Canned Goods in 2024 and we are thrilled to welcome her to this vital new role,” said Stephen Schnall, President of the Board of Trustees. “Her combination of artistic vision, producing expertise, and collaborative leadership style made her the clear choice from a large and impressive group of candidates. We are confident she will both honor ATG’s legacy and help expand its impact in meaningful and forward-looking ways.”
In her role as Producing Artistic Director, Cohn will oversee ATG’s artistic programming, production strategy, and community partnerships. She will work closely with the Board and stakeholders to strengthen the organization’s presence at the recently opened Union Arts Center and beyond, expanding its programming and audience reach throughout the region.
“I am deeply honored to join American Theater Group at this pivotal moment,” said Cohn. “ATG has built a remarkable reputation for thoughtful, engaging work and a genuine commitment to artists and audiences. I’m excited to collaborate with the Board, artists, and community to build on that momentum and explore new opportunities for storytelling and human connection.”
"Having had the pleasure of working with Charlotte on two ATG productions, I am confident the company will thrive in her capable hands,” noted Jim Vagias. “I am excited to see her impart her talents and vision on ATG and am certain she will help lead it to new heights. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead."
Cohn is a recent recipient of the Denham Fellowship Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) which is awarded annually to women who are early and mid-career directors to further develop their skills. Her directing highlights include My Italy Story and Canned Goods (both for ATG), Walden (Premiere Stages), Church & State (Berkshire Theatre Group), The Whole Shebang and Baltimore in Black and White (The Cell Theatre, NYC) and Best Friends (Jazz at Lincoln Center). She has appeared on Broadway in La Boheme and Coram Boy and her producing credits include Here Lies Love(Broadway), Without You (starring Anthony Rapp) and Handle with Care and Church and State by Jason Odell Williams. Cohn is an Ovation Award Winner and a Bay Area Critics’ Circle Award nominee. Her original musical The Sound, based on her father's true story of escaping from Denmark to Sweden in WWII, will be presented May 2-17th at the JCC in Rochester, NY. www.thesoundmusical.com
Please join us in welcoming Charlotte as ATG begins an exciting new chapter.
purlie wins 4 audelco awards - Nov. 2025
ATG’s critically-acclaimed production of Purlie was honored at the 53rd Annual Audelco Awards Recognizing Excellence in Black Theatre with four awards including “Best Revival of a Musical.”
Produced in partnership with UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage, the March 2025 production of Purlie was directed by Kenny Ingram who was awarded “Best Director of a Musical.” The veteran Director/Choreographer was previously nominated for a 2023 Audelco Award for his direction of James T. Lane’s Triple Threat Off Broadway at Theatre Row.
Gary Mitchell, Jr. was awarded “Outstanding Musical Director.” He regularly collaborates with renowned singers, instrumentalists, artists, and ensembles throughout the world. Nicole Powell, whose Broadway credits include Ragtime and Hairspray, was named “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” for her portrayal of Missy.
Overall, the production received eight nominations in seven categories. Timothy Ware-Hill (Broadway’s Kinky Boots) was nominated for his portrayal of Purlie Victorious in the category of “Lead Actor in a Musical.” Tyson Jennette (Broadway’s Book of Mormon) was nominated for “Best Featured Actor in a Musical” as Gitlow. Virginia Woodruff (Broadway’s Violet and Leap of Faith) was nominated for “Best Featured Actress in a Musical” for her portrayal of Idella, while Kenny Ingram received an additional nomination for “Best Choreographer.”
Purlie is the 1970 musical adaptation of Ossie Davis's comedic play Purlie Victorious. Featuring an unforgettable score, it tells the story of a traveling preacher who returns to his hometown in Georgia and concocts a scheme to reclaim his church while ringing the bell of freedom for plantation workers.
“Producing Purlie was the realization of a dream project of mine and this Audelco recognition is enormously gratifying,” noted ATG Producing Artistic Director Jim Vagias. “To be competing in such heady company with top theaters including the Public Theater and Lincoln Center Theater makes our success even sweeter.”
The AUDELCO (Audience Development Committee, Inc.) is an organization that acknowledges and honors Black Theatre and its artists in New York City. Established and incorporated in 1973 by Vivian Robinson (1926-1996), it seeks to stimulate interest in and support of performing arts in black communities.