Share on Facebook

Dan Maurer Named to NJACT Board; Seeks to Improve Communication with Theater Community

Dan Maurer, of Maurer Productions OnStage in Ewing, was named to the board of directors for the New Jersey Association of Commmunity Theaters (NJACT). The appointment was made official in an NJACT meeting held December 10 in Winfield Park, NJ. In addition to his duties as a general board member, Maurer will assume the role of NJACT Marketing Director, responsible for all the organization's online and offline marketing efforts. In addition to his NJACT position, Maurer will continue in his role on the board of Maurer Productions OnStage.

Maurer's appointment was just one of several moves NJACT took as part of its annual reorganization process. With several veteran board members leaving NJACT to pursue other interests, there was an opportunity to inject the organization with new blood, align its leadership, and position the organization for continued success in 2009. Other steps taken during the December 10 meeting included the election NJACT veterans Amy Levine to the post of President and Patrick Starega to the post of Vice President. The board also elected new-comer Malachy (Mack) Kronberg to the position of Recording Secretary. Veteran board members Gina Lupi of South Jersey and Rita Greco of Mystic Vision Players of Linden will continue on the board and retain their roles overseeing publicity and reviewer compliance, respectively. More changes are planned as NJACT expects to conclude its reorganization in January.

"I see joining NJACT as an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on community theater througout the state," said Maurer, "and I'm grateful for the opportunity the other NJACT board members have given me."

Maurer confessed that he was a little surprised at being named to the board. Aside from some casual contact with out-going board member Joe Schreck in his role as a reviewer, and a brief moment as a Perry Award presenter in 2007 with his brother John, Maurer didn't have any personal or working relationships with the board members who voted him in. "I think it says a lot that the NJACT team members accepted my application at face value," Maurer said. "I think it points to a renewed effort to be open and inclusive. I also like the make up of the new board. I think having representatives from north, central and south Jersey is going to help give voice to the needs of all regions as NJACT works to fulfill its mission in 2009."

While excited about his new appointment to the board, Maurer is realistic about the task that lies ahead. He said: "I think the organization has done some amazing work over the last few years to grow participation among theaters around the state. But the board is in agreement that there are still a lot of areas where we can improve and grow."

Maurer wasted no time in tackling his new post. With board approval, he immediately launched an online survey to take the pulse of the New Jersey theater community regarding the job NJACT is doing. The survey also solicited suggestions on how NJACT can improve its service to the theater community. The survey ran from December 19 through December 29. In those ten days, 300 community theater people completed the survey and provided their suggestions. Maurer will present the results of the survey to the board in its January 14 meeting and together they plan to use the information to support their 2009 efforts, including a redesign of the NJACT website.

"I think the secret to success for any organization is being a good listener," Maurer said. "The better we listen to, respond to, and communicate with theater companies in New Jersey, the better chance we have of improving NJACT and building on our past success."

In the community theater world, Maurer is an award-winning producer, director and sound designer who also acts on occasion. During the day, he serves as the Director of eMarketing for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), a major pharmaceutical company located in Plainsboro, NJ. Over the past thirteen years, Maurer has developed online and off-line marketing projects for a variety of companies including Houghton Mifflin Company, Dun & Bradstreet, Citizen, Schering-Plough, RCN Corporation, BMS and others.

NJACT is a volunteer-based organization with the mission to celebrate outstanding achievements in commmunity theater throughout the state of New Jersey. NJACT members review theater productions around the state and once a year the organization hosts the NJACT Perry Awards Ceremony.

Return to MPOnStage Newsletter Page.