The Show Will Go On At Mainstage, With Help From Investors Bank

Gloucester Township, NJ -- The South Jersey community can continue to act, dance, and sing their hearts out at Mainstage Center for the Arts, thanks to two $2,500 grants to the non-profit from the Investors Foundation and the Roma Bank Community Foundation. The funds will be used to support the organization’s summer camp and dance programs.

“All facets of Mainstage Center for the Arts’ programming clearly display our belief that the arts and arts education, particularly for the young, can have a dramatic effect. Many of these young people may not pursue a career in the arts, but life lessons learned while working, learning, and having fun in the arts can be taken with them into any career they choose. The experience at Mainstage builds self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of community,” said Joe Bretschneider, Executive Director of Mainstage Center for the Arts.

Mainstage’s summer camp, Summer Stage, is the oldest youth theater program in southern New Jersey, as well as one of the most successful and most affordable.

Summer Stage programs are broken down by age – beginning with the Broadway Babies for those entering Kindergarten and first-grade, up to Children’s Theatre, for students from sixth- through twelfth-grade.

This summer’s performances, featuring nearly 450 campers, include Peter Pan, Seussical Jr., James and the Giant Peach, and Disney Journeys, each with multiple show times.

“We offer camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. five days a week for seven weeks each summer, and kids have fun doing what they love,” said Bretschneider. “Mainstage Center for the Arts is proud to be a recipient of grants from Investors Bank. We view the grants as a partnership; Mainstage values Investors’ investment in Mainstage's young people and our programs. We also are pleased to help bring Investors Bank's brand to our audience to show appreciation for their generosity.”

Summer Stage also offers a Video/Film Production Camp for students entering eighth- through twelfth-grade. The camp takes students through the entire process of creating a short film: screenwriting, storyboarding, shooting, and editing. The program also includes documentary and interviewing skills.

Mainstage School of Dance, a year-round program, covers everything, with offerings such as a Mommy & Me class for the youngest dancers, basic to advanced ballet, Hip Hop, Breakdancing, and Acro/Flexibility.

Mainstage applied for the grants from the Investors and Roma Community Bank Foundations, which support non-profit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank. Roma Bank became part of Investors Bank in December 2013.

“It’s so great to see all of these kids out here spending their summer being productive,” said Shannon Morgan- Leonen, Investors Bank Assistant Vice President and Williamstown Branch Manager. “Investors Bank is proud to support the mission of Mainstage Center for the Arts in encouraging the community’s artistic and dramatic expressions year-round.”

Photo Caption: Investors Bank’s Assistant Vice President and Williamstown Branch Manager Shannon Morgan-Leonen, far left, in red, presents a check to the campers and staff of Mainstage Center for the Arts, including Joe Bretschneider, Executive Director, far right, during a performance of Peter Pan.

About Investors Bank

Investors Bank is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With more than $21billion in assets and over 145 retail branches in New Jersey, New York City and Long Island, Investors Bank delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors’ consumer banking services include complete deposit products, online banking, home equity loans and lines of credit and a full array of mortgage loans. Serving the business community, Investors provides deposit accounts, cash management services, business loans and lines of credit, and commercial real estate financing solutions to small and middle market companies, professional services firms, municipalities and other businesses. Investors Bank. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

About Mainstage Center for the Arts

Mainstage, a non-profit, performing arts organization, was founded in 1989 by Producing Artistic Director Ed Fiscella and Executive Director Joe Bretschneider. Mainstage is dedicated to providing a creative, vibrant and nurturing environment that uses the performing and creative arts as a catalyst for individual expression and growth. For more information about Mainstage Center for the Arts, visit www.mainstage.org, or call 609-605-2739.