To commemorate Earth Day, nonprofit Jersey Central Theatre Company will be presenting professional staged readings of two new environmentally themed one-act scripts on SUNDAY, APRIL 19th, 3:00 PM, at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center (The Carriage House) next to Fanwood Borough Hall.
“The LADY IN THE TREE,” by Cynthis J. Chapman. Inspired by Julia Butterfly Hill’s 738-day tree-sit, as she put her life on the line — against corporate interests — to save the life of an ancient redwood the world now knows as Luna.
“KEELING,” by Ken Schwarz. In 1986, pioneering climatologist Dr. Charles David Keeling must overcome his introverted nature to fight to save his vital climate research program against the Reagan administration, who are intent on shutting it down.
The cast will feature members of Actors’ Equity Association, the professional actors’ union.
Cynthia Jones Chapman’s full-length plays include SkyChef (Playwrights’ Center Core Apprentice Program Finalist) and House Rules which had a reading at New York Drama League July ’22. Monologues from both plays are published in She Persisted 100 Monologues by Women Over Forty by Applause (Nov. 2021). The Journey was a finalist for The Bridge Initiative’s Bechdel Test Festival 2.0., following development with Megan Schy-Gleeson, as the invited playwright at the Directors Lab at MICHA International Festival. Her plays have been produced by many theaters around the country.
Ken Schwarz is an award-winning writer, actor, and director who hails from Fanwood, and is the founding artistic director of Jersey Central Theatre Company. He has been working in and around the entertainment industry since the age of 12, accumulating numerous credits in film, television, and close to 100 plays at New York and Regional theatres.
Doors will open at 2:30 PM. Suggested cash contribution is $10.00 per person. No reservations; limited open seating.
The Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center is located next to Borough Hall at 135 Watson Rd. (off Martine Ave.), Fanwood, NJ, just one block north of the historic Fanwood Train Station on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line.
In partnership with the Fanwood Cultural Arts Commission. For further information, or to be added to their email list, visit Jersey Central Theatre Company at www.jerseycentraltheatre.com.
This program is made possible in part by a 2026 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
