Finding a chosen family on stage

CJ EINHORN FOUND something they didn’t know they needed within the Northern Highlands Theater Company: a chosen family.

“I didn’t know what I was missing until I had it…and then I was slapped in the face with emotions,” they say. “Theater is a place for everybody. It’s the most exclusive inclusive club and such a closeknit family. It’s a haven for the outcasts…and the non-outcasts, though we do tend to attract stray cats.”

Einhorn, a senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School, is gearing up to return to the stage as the villainous Reverend Samuel Parris in this year’s fall play, “The Crucible.”

But it’s not just in the spotlight where they shine. Einhorn is a student who wears many hats within the department and greater school community, according to teacher and director Shaina Strang-Wolf.

“I think the major takeaway I always have from working with them is that they are simply meticulous,” Strang-Wolf says. “As a student, as an actor, as a props-master, they throw themselves into every project and task. CJ is the kind of student who we teachers dream about—someone who always has a can-do attitude, views obstacles and hurdles as learning opportunities, and who truly believes in the power

of theater.”

A LIFELONG THEATER KID

Einhorn says they’ve been surrounded by theater and the arts their whole life. Their parents met at Oberlin College and Conservatory—mom is a classical bassist by trade and a music teacher. Dad co-founded the country’s first immersive, site-specific opera company, On Site Opera, and has produced dynamic events for audiences on some of the country’s most important stages, including the Metropolitan Opera.

“I’ve always been a theater kid,” Einhorn says, along with a musician and artist—they play the trombone, sing in the choir, and enjoy drawing and painting.

They did their first musical as an eighth grader at Ho-Ho-Kus Public School (playing Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast”). At Highlands, Einhorn started off by participating in the freshmen play and really caught the theater bug.

Their sophomore year, the play was William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in which they acted and served in an integral role behind the scenes as the makeup designer after filling out a leadership application for the important position. 

“It’s a heavy makeup show because of all the fairies and characters,” Einhorn says. “We used an airbrush machine, and it was an amazing, colorful, fun, and unique show.”

With that year’s musical, “Mamma Mia,” they delved deeper into the tech side as both stage manager and props master—a chaotic but fun experience.

And last year, the fall play was “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a dark comedy about a family of murderous aunts and their relatives, which Einhorn says has “Clue” vibes. Einhorn served as props master for the show, creating a mechanism where a body (a CPR dummy) pops up from a window seat.

Through all the varying plots, lines, makeup applications, prop designs, and more, Einhorn says one constant remains within the company: a lovely community the likes of which they hope everyone can experience at least once in their lives.

CREATING A COMMUNITY

Einhorn calls Strang-Wolf the “Drama Mama” of the crew and says students feel nothing but seen and supported by other members of the faculty that are involved with the plays and musicals, including Joe Kiely in tech and Jennifer Allen and Shawna Lagan producing.

“[Strang-Wolf] creates an environment where everyone feels safe auditioning for her,” Einhorn says.

Strang-Wolf says it’s a “gift” to be called “Drama Mama” by CJ and other students—one that’s more meaningful than any professional accolades she might receive.

“I try my best to make the theater a safe space and second home for my kids,” Strang-Wolf says. “I was a lost teenager ages ago who found theater simply by choosing the activity that would keep me in school the longest, and I’ve been trying to pay that gift forward ever since. One of my greatest fortunes was having some of the most incredible teachers inspire me and help me grow, and I hope to give that to my kids.”

The English teacher creates buzz surrounding the announcement of the fall play, posting clues to the show the week prior in the windows that line the English hallway. It’s not only fun, but a great team building puzzle, Einhorn says.

The student says they have found meaning in each fall production and the show choices seem to have been the perfect build up to this year’s “The Crucible,” which they said is a particularly complex play, acting-wise.

“‘Midsummer’ was all about finding your place and passions. ‘Arsenic’ was all about finding your people—there are big themes of finding your chosen family and unconditional love, which everyone deserves. And ‘Crucible’ is really about taking back your power and your voice.”

Einhorn says they feel “The Crucible” really resonates with the theater community because it’s about outsiders fighting back.

“Theater is often associated with woke and a lot of theater is written about the underdog fighting back,” they say.

For “The Crucible,” auditions were opened up last spring to eighth graders (incoming freshman).

Strang-Wolf says Einhorn welcomed them with open arms, making a banner, bringing balloons, and greeting newcomers in the lobby.

“That’s CJ, a kid who leads with their incredible heart,” the teacher says. “They elevate the entire experience by virtue of being themselves. Their belief in and dedication to the Northern Highlands Theater Company is contagious, and that’s really a beautiful thing to witness.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Einhorn is fresh off a summer internship as the props master and designer for a production of “Legally Blonde” at Sceneworks Studios in Paramus. Looking ahead, they say props design is the area of expertise they’d like to focus on, with ambitions of working on Broadway and a specific dream of being part of “Moulin Rouge,” the show where they first fell in love with props.

Einhorn’s dad, Eric Einhorn, says he couldn’t be prouder of his child, whom he describes as “an engaging performer onstage and an incredibly talented theatrical designer.” But

it’s the inclusive spirit Strang-Wolf noted that makes him beam.

“I am most proud of the role CJ has played in the greater Northern Highlands theater community in fostering a culture of inclusivity, belonging, and personal authenticity,” he says. “As a parent and theater professional, it is a double honor and privilege to be able to support CJ’s passion for theater.”

BY SARAH NOLAN