Press Releases

OceanFirst Foundation Executive Director Katherine Durante (second from left) presents a grant check to Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) Board of Directors President John Newman (left), AAT Director of Development Teresa Staub and AAT Executive Director William Whitefield.

MANASQUAN, NJ - Algonquin Arts Theatre has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the OceanFirst Foundation to use toward the Theatre's general operating budget for the next two years.

"We would like to thank the OceanFirst Foundation for supporting our mission of providing the community with high quality educational programs and performances," said William Whitefield, Executive Director of the Algonquin Arts Theatre. "Without the support of the OceanFirst Foundation and our other generous donors, the plays, concerts and educational opportunities at Algonquin Arts Theatre would not be possible."

The 2011-12 season at Algonquin Arts Theatre kicks off on Sept. 23 with the opening of Man of La Mancha, the first of five Broadway Series performances. Enrollment is open now for fall semester performing arts classes, which begin Sept. 26, and additional educational and outreach programming begins on a rolling basis this fall. For information on the upcoming schedule, to enroll in a class or to purchase tickets, visit algonquinarts.org or call 732-528-3735.

"OceanFirst Foundation is proud to offer its support to local arts and cultural organizations like Algonquin Arts Theatre that enrich our communities and help them to thrive," OceanFirst Foundation Executive Director Katherine Durante said. "Since 1996, OceanFirst has contributed more than $700,000 to Algonquin Arts for a variety of projects and programs benefitting people of all ages."

Since its founding in 1902, OceanFirst Bank has built a solid reputation and legacy as a good neighbor and responsible corporate citizen. The Bank�s strong commitment to helping families, organizations, schools and communities throughout central New Jersey meet their financial needs has spanned several generations reaching new heights in 1996 with the creation of OceanFirst Foundation. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that meet community needs within the OceanFirst market area. In 2010, OceanFirst Foundation contributed more than $1 million to community initiatives and since its inception has contributed more than $22 million to more than 600 local charities in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties.

Algonquin Arts Theatre was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit organization to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for the residents of New Jersey�s central region. In addition to on state performances and on screen films, the Theatre includes a comprehensive educational program including diverse performances and artist-lead workshops for children ages 3 to 18. The program reaches more than 15,000 students from approximately 230 schools throughout Monmouth, Ocean and the surrounding counties.

Programming of Algonquin Arts Theatre is made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, PNC, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Target, The Community Foundation of Monmouth County, The Paul F. Zito, MD Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman's Club of Brielle, Janice Blanton, Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and other local businesses.