For Immediate  Release
 October 7, 2009

 Hello to our supporters - Please join us this Saturday, October 10th. at  12:30PM at Studio Luna (406 Tompkins Street, Orange).  
The following press release gives details about  the dedication of our studio space and all the events we are  planning. We look forward to seeing you  there! Jane Mandel and Mona  Hennessy
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Luna  Stage Enters a Bright New Phase on October 10 with Dedication  of Studio Luna in the Valley Arts  District

Orange, NJ (October 6) --- On Saturday, October  10 at 12:30PM Luna Stage Theatre Company will  officially dedicate Studio Luna, its new play  development, education and special events space at 406 Tompkins Street, in the heart of the Valley Arts District of  Orange and West Orange. The public is invited to the  dedication, which will be immediately followed by  scenes and readings throughout the afternoon led by Luna Stage Artistic Director Jane Mandel.

The Studio Luna dedication and inaugural activities are  part of the Valley Arts District's weekend  long Open Studio Stroll, October 10 and 11 from 11AM until 6PM. Designed to collectively  introduce the artists and arts organizations that now call the  Valley Arts District their home, the Open Studio  Stroll also celebrates the district's growing vitality as  a catalyst for creative development and community life that is  fascinating, engaging and fun. Studio Luna will also be open  to the public 11AM - 6PM Sunday and will  feature improvisation performances and  workshops with comedy artist, Scotty Watson, and his  partner Carol Lempert. Admission is free.

With the opening next spring of its permanent new home  on Valley Road, Luna Stage will help anchor the Valley Arts  District as the first professional performing arts company to  take up residence there. Both Studio Luna on Tompkins Street  and the new Luna Stage building under development on Valley  Road are part of the burgeoning district. The initiative was  spearheaded in 2001 by the Valley Arts community organization  working with Housing and Neighborhood Development Services  (HANDS) Inc, Arts Unbound, the Valley Settlement House, local officials and policy makers in a long-term effort to build  community through the transformative power of the creative  sector.

"Luna's move to the Valley  Arts District is part of the ever-evolving life that a theatre  company goes through," said Jane Mandel. "We invite our long-standing audiences and our new neighbors to be part of  this new phase -- one that will emanate brightly from our new  stages, in the schools, and among our many communities. HANDS  provided a great opportunity with the Valley Arts building and  the company was attracted to the enormous potential of helping  to anchor the Valley Arts District."

"As ours is an effort to bring  light to the arts and the theatre's value beyond its  productions, we see in this new phase the opportunity to connect more fully with surrounding communities," said Ms.  Mandel, "including Montclair, the Oranges, and beyond. We  already have many friends throughout the region and look  forward to making many more."

Fall Programs at  Studio Luna ** Education Programs for  Young People (in-school and at Studio  Luna) ** Little Luna classes for  children ages 4-7

** Education Programs for  Adults ** Readings of selected  original plays, first Monday of each  month ** Staged Readings of Amy  Hartman's Mercy and the Firefly, October 24,  25 ** Indie Music Circus  Performances, once a month on Sundays (next -  11/1) ** Literary Lounge at Studio  Luna, once a month, Sat. afternoons (starts  November)

A complete list of  Studio Luna fall events and classes will be posted on thier  website by October 10: www.lunastage.org

 
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 For further information - please contact  Mona Hennessy

 973-744-3309