Who We Are
Dreamcatcher is a professional yet intimate theatre company in residence at Oakes Center in Summit. Our year-long season includes plays, improv comedy, a holiday special, new play readings, and a summer youth program, along with many outreach and education programs for youth, adults and seniors.
As you attend our performances throughout the season, you’ll get to know our talented Resident Acting Company, a tightly-knit ensemble who embody the uniqueness and excellence of Dreamcatcher.
Why the Name 'Dreamcatcher'?
Back in 1994, the original members of the company were sitting around Melissa and Jeff’s living room eating pizza and searching for a name in anticipation of producing our first show. A suggestion arose that we call ourselves “Dreamcatcher,” which we all quickly agreed captured something important about our goals.
In several Native American cultures, dreamcatchers are hoops that are woven with a web and decorated with feathers. They are traditionally hung over a bed to ensnare bad dreams on their way to the sleeper, where they will be burned off by the next morning’s sunlight. Good dreams, however, will slip through the web and slide down the feathers to reach the dreamer while he or she sleeps.
We knew then (and still feel) that we wanted to focus on telling stories about the essential goodness of all people and that we wanted to send our audiences on their way filled with hope. We decided that Dreamcatcher was a name that embodied the kind of positive filter we hope to be as we pass only the good stories on to our audiences.
Our History
Our company began performing in the summers only for four years, renting Luna Stage and 12 Miles West in Montclair. We were then offered the opportunity to move to Bloomfield College, an exciting proposition that would allow us to produce nine months of the year. After four years there, we were thrilled to relocate in 2003 to the Baird Recreation and Cultural Center in South Orange, an intimate theatre space in the heart of a very supportive town. Nine years later, we had outgrown the space and sought a larger venue that would still allow us to retain the close contact with our audiences that we value. In 2012, we found a new home at the Oakes Center in Summit. We are an Equity Producing Theatre of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the coalition of the state’s professional theatres. Through our world premiere and New Jersey premiere productions, our dedication to artists and our connection to our community, Dreamcatcher is a significant part of the arts landscape of Northern New Jersey.


Ribbon Cutting, 2012
Oakes Center Summit.


Chronology of
Mainstage Shows
2019-2020
2018-2019
2017-2018
2016- 2017
2015- 2016
2014-2015
2013-2014
2012-2013
2011-2012
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Next Fall
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Shooting Star
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Blood: A Comedy
2010-2011
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This
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Distracted
2009-2010
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The Pursuit Of Happiness
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Parallel Lives: The Kathy & Mo Show (revised edition)
2008-2009
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You Miss Them When They’re Not Around
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The Great God Money
2007-2008
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Wonder Of The World
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Melancholy Play
2006-2007
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Expecting Isabel
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Pride’s Crossing
2005-2006
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Match
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Full Bloom
2004-2005
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Laughing Wild
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Old Friend
2003-2004
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Anton In Show Business
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Resident Alien
2002-2003
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The Laramie Project
2001-2002
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Painting Churches
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The Mystery Of Irma Vep
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Brink Of Life
2000-2001
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Crumbs From The Table Of Joy
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Three Days Of Rain
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Fuddy Meers
1999-2000
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The World Goes ’Round
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As Bees In Honey Drown
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Love, Hate, Friendship, Marriage
1998
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Parallel Lives: The Kathy & Mo Show
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A Life In The Theatre
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Whatever Will Be
1997
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Baby
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Wall Of Water
1996
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Personals
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All In The Timing
1995
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Love… Or Whatever
Emptied dressing room at Baird on moving day to Oakes Center, Summit.
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