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The Growing Stage, the Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, is opening the first round of its 2026 New Play-Reading Festival this week in Netcong, giving Morris County families a front row seat to four brand new plays that have never been staged before. The festival runs from Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25 at the Historic Palace Theatre, located at 7 Ledgewood Avenue in Netcong.
Four finalists were selected from over 100 submitted Theatre for Young Audiences scripts. Each play is recommended for the entire family and will be read by a mix of professional and community actors, followed by an audience discussion with the cast, creative team, and the playwright when in attendance. One of the four plays will ultimately be chosen for a fully mounted production in The Growing Stage’s 2026-2027 season.
The lineup kicks off Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 PM with Snapped by Martin Follose of Oregon, directed by Nikole Rizzo. The story follows Lester Lopkins, a high school chess player who discovers he can freeze time by snapping his fingers, and the consequences that follow. Friday, April 24 at 7:30 PM brings The Wind In The Wildflowers by Grace Ward and Elke Myers of Idaho, directed by Jeorgi Smith, a fresh take on the friendship between Mole, Ratty, and Toad set against an Idaho wilderness backdrop.
Saturday, April 25 features two readings. At 4:00 PM, Timmon And The Magic Shoes by Jeff Jenkins of Illinois, directed by Natalie Kane, tells the story of a young giraffe, a grasshopper, and a dog, each with their own disability, who learn they are stronger together on the African Savannah. At 7:00 PM, My Tree by Samara Siskind of Florida, directed by Sara Giacomini, closes out the first round with a tender story about two kids, a secret hiding spot, and a friendship that grows through the seasons of adolescence.
Admission is a suggested donation of $10 per reading. RSVPs can be submitted through The Growing Stage website, and questions can be directed to newplays@growingstage.com. For Morris County families who love theater, it is a rare chance to help shape the next great play for young audiences before anyone else sees it.
