03/19/2026
๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ค ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐งโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ก๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐
๐น๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฆ, ๐ค๐ ๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ต๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ค๐. ๐โ๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ก๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ถโ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ, ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ โ๐๐ค, โ๐โ๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก,โ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ค๐ . ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐๐ (๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐) ๐๐ ๐ ๐&๐ด ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก. ๐ธ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐ ๐ โ๐๐ค ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐ต๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐!
South Jersey Local:
When was Blue Moon founded, and what inspired its creation?
Cheryl Stark:
The Blue Moon Theatre began in 2018. The first floor of the Historic Opera House in Woodstown was available and in September of that year, we began creating that space into an intimate theatre.
While my love for theatre began on stage as a child, my inspiration and mission as a founder is rooted in evolution. I noticed that some traditional structures often created barriers that prevented both those who have worked in community theatre for a while as well as newcomers from fully engaging in the craft. I founded this theatre to dismantle those habits and ensure every participant-whether a seasoned veteran or a first-time volunteer- has a clear path to participate, contribute and truly belong.
SJL:
What is the theaterโs mission, and how has it evolved over time?
CS:
My mission, as mentioned above, has evolved into a vibrant reality that we strive for every day. Weโve become a launchpad where incredibly talented individuals โ both seasoned veterans and eager newcomers โ discover new dimensions of their craft. We take immense pride in seeing our members expand into areas such as directing, technical design and costuming. Beyond traditional plays and musicals, weโve opened our doors to the broader local scene, providing a premier stage for comedians, musicians, and solo artists to find their voice.
SJL:
Have there been any particularly memorable performances or challenges youโve overcome?
CS:
You will find many memorable moments with most of our actors. In the world of theatre, there is a show the audience sees, and then there is the miracle happening backstage.
What is most challenging, is most major productions come with a standardized technical diagram to set the stage. However, as any of our directors or construction team members will tell you, our stage has its own intimate personality. Having a smaller stage does not stop us โ it just turns those set designs into mastering every square inch. In this, our team, led by Greg Hammell, have become experts. They prove that you donโt need a Broadway sized stage to create a huge impact.
SJL:
What drew you to select โThe Importance of Being Earnestโ for this season?
CS:
We believe in bringing the Greatest Hits of dramatic literature to our community. โThe Importance of Being Earnestโ is a staple of theatre history and we are thrilled to give our younger members a chance to work on a classic text while providing our veteran actors with the iconic roles theyโve always dreamed of playing.
SJL:
What other productions are planned for the rest of the season, and are there auditions or volunteer opportunities for upcoming shows youโd like to let people know about?
CS:
Yes, our next production is โGlengary Glen Rossโ by David Mamet, directed by Mike Russell. Mike brought this production idea to our theatre and it is a high octane look at desperation, greed and the American Dream. The show run is May 8 โ 17.
Also, we are incredibly proud to announce our production, โWhere the Lost Children Playโ, written by one of our very own previous cast members, Hanna Lee DeFrates. Highlighting the work of a highly talented local play writer is at the heart of our mission to empower our members. Show dates are July 17-26.
A final word from Cheryl Stark:
While I may be the founder, the heart of The Blue Moon Theatre belongs to our volunteers. We are a community driven organization sustained by the incredible people who give their time so freely. My sincere thanks go out to our board members, past and present who have steered this ship. Without this team, there would be no magic on our stage.
Thank you and always, break a leg!
The Blue Moonโs current show, โThe Importance of Being Earnest,โ a comedy by Oscar Wilde, is directed by Stacy Bachman. Remaining show dates are March 20 - 22.
