Student-Produced Documentary “The Maplewood Theater: The Show Must Go On” draws standing-room only crowd

Full article on New Jersey Stage

Published by New Jersey Stage · September 25, 2026

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The student-produced documentary "The Maplewood Theater: The Show Must Go On" premiered at the Maplewood Memorial Library on September 23, 2026. Created by middle-school students from the South Mountain Film Academy (SMFA) winter cohort, the 15-minute documentary chronicles the cinema's nearly 100-year history, the community impact of its pandemic-related closure, and the grassroots efforts that secured its revival.

The evening drew a standing-room-only crowd to the Maplewood Memorial Library's community room, including local residents, families and community leaders Mayor Vic De Luca, Deputy Mayor Malia Herman, and Angela Matusik from the Maplewood Film Society.

During the event, the young filmmakers participated in a panel discussion and Q&A, sharing insights into their hands-on work, historical research, and production techniques. Several students noted that the project inspired them to pursue acting, directing, and TV production studies in high school. In answering audience members' questions, the mayor and the film society shared that the theater is continuing ongoing renovations, highlighting their shared hope that it will reopen for its 100th anniversary in 2027.