The cast of the ASP of NJ, YO!'s inaugural production, A Timeless Dream, takes a bow following the performance in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

On January 19, 2009 the ASP of NJ, Youth Onstage! program held its first performance at the Spot Lounge in Newark.  The NJ YO! ensemble debuted their original play, A Timeless Dream, as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to two sold-out audiences.  The ensemble has grown to 15 performers this spring.  Their next production will be Fred Newman’s Left of the Moon, which will be performed in early June.  The play will be performed twice with two different casts.  All of the actors will perform offstage roles, as well, such as stage assistants and sound engineers.

This spring The ASP of NJ, Development School for Youth enrolled its largest class ever, with 135 young people! The young people will graduate from the program on May 5th at Novartis headquarters in East Hanover, NJ.  In our prior fall cycle, 74 NJ DSY students graduated from the program.  This summer graduates will participate in their first professional work experience in their summer internship. 

Meanwhile, the ASP of NJ, Talent Show Network continues to reach new communities. On April 23, the All Stars will hold a community audition at the Edison Job Corps in Edison, NJ for the students who live and study at that organization.  Everyone who auditions that day will be a part of the Newark performance workshop and talent show at Barringer High School on May 23.

The ASP of New Jersey also hosted its Eighth Annual Phat Friend Awards at PSEG in Newark, NJ.   All Stars Project of NJ youth leaders recognized seven adults who have distinguished themselves as supporters of youth development. The evening also included performances by Youth Onstage! actors and an original rap by a Development School for Youth student.  We thank PSEG for their support and generosity in underwriting this event.