EAST BRUNSWICK–The East Brunswick Community Arts Center Theater may be renamed the Elliot Taubenslag Theater.
Taubenslag spent more than 50 years coaching, educating, mentoring, supporting and bringing joy to the lives of children and young adults throughout East Brunswick, according to the council agenda.
He was the founder of the East Brunswick Children’s Summer Theater, which he built and sustained for half a century. He passed away on March 26.
A public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for the June 11 Township Council meeting.
Recreation Coordinator and Day Camp Director Jeffrey Litt said Taubenslag worked as the Summer Theater show director from 1960 to 2009.
“[Taubenslag] ran the township’s Summer Theater program for 50 seasons. I was fortunate enough to be his supervisor from the summer of 2003 until he retired after season 50 in 2009,” Litt said.
Non-profit organization Playhouse 22, know as East Brunswick’s Community Theater, along with the township had spearheaded the campaign to change the theater’s name, according to Litt.
“After his recent passing, the Playhouse 22 group that [Taubenslag] helped found and build felt it would be an appropriate tribute to him. The township administration agreed,” Litt said. “Besides his work with the theater camp, Playhouse 22 Community Theater group, [Taubenslag] was also a teacher in the district.”
Litt said, “[Taubenslag] impacted thousands of people in town in a variety of capacities. I think renaming the theater after him is very worthwhile and deserving.”
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
