STAFFORD - More than just the talents' names are in big lights at the Stafford Township Arts Center's OceanFirst Theater in Manahawkin. Guests visiting the Center in the last month have definitely taken note of the impressive new signs the Center, known as STAC, now displays summoning all to the OceanFirst Theater. "The signs are a testimony of the partnership we forged with OceanFirst Bank in August of 2003 and represent one of many steps being taken to help guests more easily locate and identify STAC and its state-of-the-art theater," noted Thomas Stephens, Executive Director for STAC and the Stafford Township Education Foundation, the entity responsible for operating STAC. In August of 2003, the Stafford Township Education Foundation joined forces with the Stafford Township Board of Education, OceanFirst Bank and the OceanFirst Foundation to complete STAC's construction. "Without the support of OceanFirst and its affiliated Foundation, STAC may not have become the exquisite gem it is." As a result of a significant and rarely awarded grant of $450,000 from OceanFirst Foundation and a $50,000 sponsorship from OceanFirst Bank, the Stafford Township Education Foundation and the Stafford Township Board of Education, which owns the property, were able to equip STAC's theater, now the OceanFirst Theater, with 808 ergonomically comfortable seats, professional quality lighting and sound systems and many accessibility features. "The shared vision and financial support helped realize the dream of many Stafford residents to build a center for education and the arts in an area bursting with promise, but previously deemed culturally underserved. "With such a demonstration of what can be done through creative partnerships and good old-fashioned philanthropy, we have no doubt other business and community leaders, like OceanFirst, will step forward in the coming months and years to support the programs envisioned for STAC, the planned landscaping around the facility and future augmentations when needed." As a tribute to their investment in the capital upgrades to STAC as well as their additional gifts dedicated to the creation and mounting of the new OceanFirst Theater signs, naming rights of the STAC's theater have been awarded to OceanFirst Bank through 2014.

Since opening its doors in March of 2006, STAC's OceanFirst Theater has hosted programs by recognized professional talents, local and regional talents as well as bar-raising programs by the students of the both Stafford Township and Southern Regional School Districts. Dance recitals by local studios as well as five nationally recognized young dancer competitions have drawn audiences from across state lines. To date, more than 200,000 guests have experienced the joy the OceanFirst Theater and the Stafford Township Arts Center bring to the southern Ocean County community. More than just an arts venue, based on Americans for the Arts' Arts & Economic Prosperity Calculator, STAC's OceanFirst Theater and its audience have helped contribute $6 million dollars, or approximately $30 per audience member, back into the local economy over the past two years by way of hotel stays, local dining and retail sales. Like all nonprofit endeavors, STAC relies on continued community support and involvement for operation and growth. In March of 2008, the Stafford Township Arts Center's OceanFirst Theater will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a one-night only run-out of the smash Off-Broadway hit musical, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! on Saturday, March 15, 2008. Tickets are on sale now by calling (609) 489-8600 or by visiting www.njstac.com. The programming of the Stafford Township Arts Center and the OceanFirst Theater, as well as the annual Young at Art Show, the Stafford Hall of Fame, and Child Care Services (Preschool, Extended Day, Summer Camp) are extensions of the Stafford Township Education Foundation. The Stafford Township Education Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to establishing and maintaining positive partnerships between the Stafford Township School District, the business community and the residential community that result in lifelong educational opportunities for children and adults. These and other programs of the Stafford Township Education Foundation are made possible, in part, thanks to generous financial and in-kind support from OceanFirst Foundation, OceanFirst Bank, Commerce Bank, The Van Dyk Group, the Causeway Family of Dealerships and valued small business and individual contributors like YOU!

For more information about the theater or for upcoming events, call 609-978-5700, or visit their website, www.njstac.com.