![]() Miller celebrates 25 years with Surflight Theatre, 7 years as Producer.ġ984: New plumbing is installed in the Cast House. is founded in Joe’s memory as a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising scholarship funds for Surflight’s growing Intern & Apprentice Program that began in the 1950s as “The Apprentice Program” and for the eventual purchase and operation of Surflight.ġ983: Eleanor C. ![]() The house has 16 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.ġ979: Surflight’s season is extended to 14 weeks – 14 full-stage musical productions produced in 1-week stock, with 7 performances a week and featuring a cast of 15.ġ980: The Joseph P. Lane, III.ġ977: A former boarding house at the corner of Dolphin & Bay Avenues in Beach Haven is purchased for use as the primary cast housing facility. Miller as Surflight’s Producer and Joseph N. Knowing that Surflight and its continuation meant everything to Joe, his friends declare that the show must go on! A new corporation, HML Productions, is formed with Scott Henderson as President, Eleanor C. Surflight is rocked and saddened by his untimely passing. Food, ice cream AND a floor show! An immediate hit.ġ976: Joe Hayes suffers a fatal heart attack. No more agonizing trips to the Borough Hall.ġ972: Eleanor Miller streamlines the Surflight box office, ticketing and ushering procedures.ġ975: Show Place Ice Cream Parlour opens next to the theatre, a collaboration between Joe Hayes and his friend Scott Henderson, and a local banker. A new costume shop is built adjacent to the theatre.ġ968: Patrons’ restrooms are built on premises. ![]() The storm sewers back up, forcing patrons to wade to the theatre in hip boots and galoshes.ġ961: Eleanor Miller’s offer of “a little help” has grown to the position of Company Manager.ġ967: Joe Hayes decides to purchase the former mechanic’s garage as Surflight’s permanent residence. Actors learn to constantly shout their lines to be heard over the rain drumming on the tin roof. She offers to “give him a little help” with the growing theatre.ġ959: A rainy season. Patrons’ restrooms are located 1 block away at Beach Haven Borough Hall.ġ956: Joe Hayes introduces a Children’s Theatre series at Surflight, he himself cavorting as “Boffo the Clown.” An instant success!!ġ958: Schoolteacher Eleanor C. Seating capacity: 312 (if you use a shoehorn). A tiny stage, tin roof, no air conditioning, and lots of mosquitoes. Hayes, Producer.ġ951: A second season is presented with a smaller company and a tighter budget, allowing the season to be extended to 9 weeks.ġ952: Surflight moves from its tent to an old meat market in Beach Havenġ953: Surflight moves again, this time to a garage next to a bowling alley, still in Beach Haven.ġ954: One last move, to a rented former mechanic’s garage on Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven. Board of Trusteesġ950: Surflight Theatre is born in Beach Haven Crest, on Long Beach Island, in a shaky 2,200-seat tent with a cast of 60, a 12-piece orchestra and a season only 3 weeks long. ![]() Our educational program includes Surflight To-Go, a touring educational theatre company. Our Children's Theatre provides entertainment for ages 2-10 to promote a lifelong interest in the performing arts. Our Mainstage employs professionals and early career artists for Broadway style productions 7 months of the year. Our goal is to engage, entertain and foster appreciation of live theatre for adults, teens and children and serve as a community resource. The mission of Surflight Theatre is to provide high quality professional live theatre to the vacationers of Long Beach Island and the residents of Southern New Jersey, while providing training to young theatre performers and technicians.
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