Madison Public Library

“Comedy and Drama on Stage” by Stacie Lents, Professor of Theater and Communication, Arts, and Media, Fairleigh Dickinson University will begin Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-3:30 pm on May 27, 2026 and continue for five consecutive weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each lecture is for two hours for a total of 10 hours on June 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2026.
The minicourses are organized by the all-volunteer Friends of the Madison Public Library, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds benefit the Madison Public Library. The tuition is $95. To register, visit our website, <a href="https://friendsmadisonnjlibrary.org/minicourse-registration" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.friendsmadisonnjlibrary.org/minicourse-registration</a>. For more information, email the Friends at <a href="mailto:minicoursesmadisonlibrary@gmail.com">minicoursesmadisonlibrary@gmail.com</a>, or leave a message at 929-450-7940.
This minicourse will explore theatrical scripts in a variety of periods and genres with a focus on the making of strong dialogue and character. The course will take participants on a journey through theatrical innovation, interpreting plays from a range of playwrights and time periods. We will have an opportunity to examine playwrights such as Moliere, Shakespeare, Eugene O’Neill, August Wilson, Rebecca Gilman, and Anna Ziegler, among others. We will explore these writers’ unique approaches to character and language as well as their outsized impact on television, film, and culture. Prof. Lents will also discuss her own published and produced work as well as elements of performance. 

The course will be entertaining as well as informative and will also give participants opportunities in class discussion to try their hand at the techniques playwrights use to build a scene. Reading of the plays covered is recommended but not required. Prof. Lents, a trained actor and member of both SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association, will read excerpts in class for those who are less familiar with the texts. All are welcome. No theater experience or background required. 
 
Stacie Lents received her MFA from Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, and her BA from Yale University.She is Professor of Theater and Communication, Department of Arts, Communication, and Media, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). She has been recognized with the Becton College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teacher of the Year award (2014), the University Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching (2020), the Maddy Award for Outstanding Teaching (2021), the University Distinguished Faculty Award for Student Success and Belonging (2024), and the EOF Champion Award (2025). 

Lents is also a professional playwright and actor. Theatrical Rights published her play College Colors, and Worldwide, and Playscripts, Inc. published her plays Henry’s Law, Laugh out Loud (cry quietly), and Fire Exit. Prison Performing Arts commissioned her to write the stage adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel Hag-Seed as part of their New Plays Initiative. A previous PPA commission, Run-On Sentence, was nominated for a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Outstanding New Play. 

Excerpts from her plays have been anthologized in Contemporary Scenes for Twentysomethings and In Performance: Contemporary Monologues for Men and Women (Teens), published by Applause. Henry’s Law, a play about bullying, was included in Backstage.com’s list of 15 Must-Read Plays for Tweens and Teens. As an actor, Stacie has performed regionally and in New York, including originating the one-woman play Six Hands by the late Eric H. Weinberger and the role of Bessie in Eugene O’Neil’s play Bread and Butter at New York’s Provincetown Playhouse. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Actors’ Equity Association, and SAG-AFTRA.

Local Event: Minicourse-“Comedy and Drama on Stage” by Stacie Lents, Prof of Theater, FDU 

Morris County

Madison

New Jersey

Minicourse-“Comedy and Drama on Stage” by...

“Comedy and Drama on Stage” by Stacie Lents, Professor of Theater and Communication, Arts, and Media, Fairleigh Dickinson...

Minicourse-“Comedy and Drama on Stage” by Stacie Lents, Prof of Theater, FDU 

“Bach, Handel, Vivaldi: Masters of the Baroque” by Dr Robert Butts, Professor, Conductor and Composer, will begin Tuesday afternoon from 1:30-3:00 pm on June 2, 2026, and continue for five consecutive weeks.&nbsp;Each lecture is for one and one-half hours on June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2026.
The minicourses are organized by the all-volunteer Friends of the Madison Public Library, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All proceeds benefit the Madison Public Library. The tuition is $95. To register, visit our website, <a href="https://friendsmadisonnjlibrary.org/minicourse-registration" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.friendsmadisonnjlibrary.org/minicourse-registration</a>. For more information, email the Friends at <a href="mailto:minicoursesmadisonlibrary@gmail.com">minicoursesmadisonlibrary@gmail.com</a>, or leave a message at 929-450-7940.
Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Antonio Vivaldi – three of the most familiar names in the history of music and three of the most important composers of the Baroque period (1700-1750). Although they were contemporaries, their lives were quite different. Bach never strayed far, working for many years in Leipzig in his job at the Thomaskirche. Vivaldi traveled, but for a long time worked at the Ospedale della pieta in Venice. Handel was one of history’s most cosmopolitan composers, traveling across Europe many times. Bach was most famous for his keyboard and sacred choral music. Handel was most famous for his operas and oratorios. Vivaldi was most famous for his instrumental music. For over 250 years, audiences have been thrilled by the music of all three masters of The Baroque.

Dr Robert Butts has won acclaim as conductor, composer, and educator. He is the founder and director of the Baroque Orchestra of NJ, now in its 30th season. He teaches at Montclair State University, the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies at Drew University, NJ Council for the Humanities and Saint Elizabeth University. He has conducted major orchestra and opera performances throughout NJ and the US, as well as guest appearances in Romania, the Czech Republic, Russia, Italy, and England. Dr. Butts received his M.A. in Musicology from the University of Iowa with a specialty in 17th and 18th century music and a D.M.A. in conducting from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He also studied conducting at Julliard with Maestro La Selva. 
 

The Friends honored Dr Butts on March 21 for teaching for 30 years in our minicourse program. His awards include the 2019 Artist of the Year Award by the New York Classical Music Society; the 2019 Exemplary Leader Award from the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, the 2016 Tourism Award from the Morris County Tourism Bureau, the 2015 Comcast Newsmaker Award from Comcast, and the 2015 Honored Artist Award.

Local Event: Minicourse-“Bach, Handel, Vivaldi: Masters of the Baroque” by Dr Robert Butts

Minicourse-“Bach, Handel, Vivaldi: Masters of...

“Bach, Handel, Vivaldi: Masters of the Baroque” by Dr Robert Butts, Professor, Conductor and Composer, will begin Tuesday...

Minicourse-“Bach, Handel, Vivaldi: Masters of the Baroque” by Dr Robert Butts

Sylvia Luber

New York City Metropolitan Area

Chatham

East Hanover-Florham Park

Union County

Summit

 Jack Slocum

Morristown

Morris Township-Morris Plains

Essex County

Eric Kiefer

Livingston

Millburn-Short Hills

Springfield

New Providence-Berkeley Heights

Parsippany

The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township

Lyrica will explore the piano trio form, bringing together pianist Min Young Kang, violinist Isabelle Ai Durrenberger, and Lyrica co-artistic director Ani Kalayjian in music of Mozart, Florence Price and Arno Babajanian.

Local Event: Lyrica Chamber Music

Lyrica Chamber Music

Lyrica will explore the piano trio form, bringing together pianist Min Young Kang, violinist Isabelle Ai Durrenberger, and...

Fred Astaire Dance Studios

Newcomers are welcome for an Introduction to Ballroom &amp; Latin Dances such as ChaCha, Swing, Tango, Salsa &amp; more! Doors Open at 7:30pm Group Lesson at 7:45pm. Enjoy a beginner group dance lesson, professional performances, champagne, small bites &amp; lots of dancing. No partner or experience necessary! Admission - One qualified guest, or FREE for first-timers! Click here to RSVP now: <a attributionsrc="/privacy_sandbox/comet/register/source/?xt=AZW06BCn4V31CcGrxtkGTvd_vqogYjd9Cl0-8_GjA0-LdK_UWHPKp3JR4YLQ1HvazMVQeJnrjNdHjf4qVmDGEQKNMiPl72xgWCUw3tN7h2UgPRa8OZM_LOeRT4W8JnrSQIlh1rA1s9O3xF-YbcGy6Ab6uSMW1GdKELHOhBcSUTzQMt04L06jXhcRMtUPJMp3m_3GXR2VbjC0Cn3vNLsy4csjpfaISy6MPie1ku-xOtXAS8Rtsr9AiSKJXjxkGWjo8Uesbv0f7yzN1k3TPvQMCznE9elybtDy80MvsX0tDwr_B3Ys3DIdEO4Geg9heHHhEdNi9cy8HlG8rTHXNPeG1lritoJ3Cb5J_DazAxsgkKDltO57DZeXqsd3KazrUXkz7F-PqvP-Ylb1r8fu9hi9rn3InM4RjzEYfWiBNeTDHf1IR6IYaF0jXGWWqrFTvyjdhLaDACJv4fwGaOOFI28ri2hDdQav5gZpmQk7C2QR_foiwpGZ1xFMxCSM5hTFL9iEO3KticnzRsH9jDvvxVPc3jfIfSOEkzLuUDdVoZ5nzLKE2CvC7HiIsWnXu-Thu1ghIHNbXvy2rV1YZl60E-Mw3cT3z7Cns5HGbGvKYu8t_lVn3olBXi3ag6ryEn25jkxNhpimmedM6CoRyz-EGPPcKGZ8D0G2S1itURW3AZKyrWjh0aujJ0krWUX2hwFo8s8xK-0tv5KA2Hgzdk6CpSlt5AFdUehwbFkRMQFxj2PHoXp4SvzvS48cZM-HyZAULmJRv2LecBRBkFylODVcdDs3ZxPbjExZlQgdVQ8aWbtFitl580C6S8-6Xa6zZxU7EQAd8amuz3apRsJMOLnh5yMzi8Lno4cRGgWaEGTAqZt_HrNczw" href="https://forms.gle/kj94MuJV3arTuTap7?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExS3dHUXlDQzNHQTFpeG1nSAEeetl9Ox2Pfs5Mf4t5uZIzWOatji1vIAGI1nMo5zu5VDKOuYsLBiq4If--GSU_aem_boIsWfCLImeBCvzEzjGnqg" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/kj94MuJV3arTuTap7</a>&nbsp;Or RSVP by calling 973-993-9222 or emailing morristown@fredastaire.com

Local Event: Free Ballroom & Latin Dance Lesson & Open House Party

Free Ballroom & Latin Dance Lesson & Open House...

Newcomers are welcome for an Introduction to Ballroom & Latin Dances such as ChaCha, Swing, Tango, Salsa & more! Doors Open at...

Free Ballroom & Latin Dance Lesson & Open House Party

Chatham United Methodist Church

The Suburban Music Study Club will host a free recital of classical piano music with pianists: Luba Vasilyeva, Olivia Hua, Eric Feng, and Sophia Agranovich on Thursday morning of May 17th at 10:30 a.m. at the Chatham United Methodist Church. Olivia Hua and&nbsp;Eric Feng are winners in the SMSC's 2025 Grace Gimbel Scholarship Competition playing alongside two accomplished pianists, Luba Vasilyeva and Sophia Agranovich. Come to hear piano music from the gentle to the raucous! Refreshments will follow the recital. For more information go to: www.suburbanmusicstudyclub.com.&nbsp;

Local Event: Classical Piano Program: Piano-Fest!

Classical Piano Program: Piano-Fest!

The Suburban Music Study Club will host a free recital of classical piano music with pianists: Luba Vasilyeva, Olivia Hua, Eric...

Aging Well: A Community Day for Seniors” Friday, May 29 - 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Madison Community House (25 Cook Ave, Madison)


Free – Open to the public – Walk-ins welcome Created &amp; Hosted by OneCare Harmony Home Health Care
Special presentation 12:00–1:00 pm from Dr. Steven Shapiro, Medical Director for Stroke Services at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center on “Signs and Symptoms of Stroke”. Contact Kristen at (973) 714-0443 to reserve a seat. The day will center around: • Engaging talks designed to spark discussion.
• Local nonprofit organizations and businesses servicing seniors
• Movement Classes &amp; Energy Breaks
• Fun nostalgic memory corners celebrating the 1950's and 1960's • Music, Light Refreshments &amp; Social Time
Attendees can stop by at any time and stay as long as they’d like.

Local Event: Aging Well: A Community Day for Seniors

Aging Well: A Community Day for Seniors

Aging Well: A Community Day for Seniors” Friday, May 29 - 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Madison Community House (25 Cook Ave,...

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