Page & Stage

Funding Provided By:

Spring 2025 Program

Page & Stage is a free of charge program for low-income children between 3-5 years old. This program brings early reader stories to life through theatre, fostering creativity, imagination and - ultimately - literacy. The primary goal of Page & Stage is to leverage the arts by engaging students interests in literature, inspire critical thinking and deepen understanding of not just curriculum, but everything around them.

In-school workshops will be offered to provide students with an opportunity to engage with a teaching artist. On demand digital content will also be created to extend the program to students who are not present in the classroom. Each student will receive a FREE copy of each book title to take home to their family and build an at-home library. Participating classrooms will build a Drama Residency to develop reading fluency and an introductory to live theatre through listening and physical activities.

Page & Stage serves multiple areas of Monmouth and Ocean County including learning centers in Neptune, Asbury Park, Freehold and Red Bank.

The 2025 season features the following books:

The Rainbow Fish
Book & Illustrations Marcus Pfister

January - February 2025

Lesson: This story teaches us about the importance of sharing, kindness, community, and inner qualities. It also depicts how difficult sharing can be and the impact that sharing can have on friendships. Rainbow Fish, like many young children, has a difficult time sharing.

Teaching Artist: Jennifer Eagan

Harold & the Purple Crayon
Book by Crockett Johnson

March 2025

Lesson: Harold and the Purple Crayon is a tale of personal determination, innovation and imagination. We all have the power to create our story. Encourages readers to see the world in all its colorful diversity and teaches the importance of care, empathy, and conflict resolution. Grab your crayon and create your story. Dream big. Speak your truth. Learning through play.

Teaching Artist: Jennifer Eagan

Pete The Cat
Authors: James Dean, Eric Litwin, Kimberly Dean
Illustrator: James Dean

April - May 2025

Lesson: Read for fun and change our outlook even without magic sunglasses! The story reinforces that whatever happens in life, you can rise above it. Explore characteristics, perspective and critical thinking, identifying colors, math, rhythm and music. The moral of Pete's story is: "No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song because it's all good. Keep on singing." - Pete

Teaching Artist: Jennifer Eagan

Professional Development

Page & Stage delivers Professional Development opportunities for educators, offering teaching resources and methods designed to improve student engagement and comprehension across all subjects. The Algonquin is a registered provider of professional development through the New Jersey Department of Education (Provider #2871).