Our Story

Porch Light Productions is a New Jersey theatre company established in 2005. Over the past 15 years, Porch Light has produced professional and educational theatre throughout the Northern New Jersey/New York City area. In 2009, owners Ryan Pifher & Jenn Pifher, opened a studio and performance space in beautiful Glen Rock, NJ, now a 5,000 square foot facility featuring a black box theatre, large dance studio and multiple studios and private lesson rooms.

For the first several years, Porch Light's annual line-up included Main Stage plays and musicals for adult audiences, live music nights, family-friendly shows, classes and programs for all ages and drama clubs in area schools. While enjoying success with a wide range of adult and family-friendly programming, it was time to refocus Porch Light's mission and in 2017, decided to put the focus into educational theatre programs. Since that time, Porch Light has defined itself as the area's leader in theatre and arts education, reaching thousands of students and audience members each year through amazing programs and classes.

Rebranded at Porch Light Studio, Stage & Schools, we now offer a full line-up of studio classes, performance programs, private lessons, workshops, camps and in-school theatre education programs, including our award-winning Youth Performance Troupe (YPT) ensemble. Our methods are focused on BUILDING CHARACTERS - creating more confident and passionate individuals through performing arts training and experiences.

Porch Light was original founded with the goal of "Leaving the Light On" for artists of all ages. Today, our focus is on building characters through performing arts education, yet our original design still holds true.

Growing up, I can remember playing outside with my friends for hours without end. As day became night, neighboring porch lights would illuminate the night sky, allowing us to play just a little bit longer. The porch light let us know we were safe and that there was always someone there if we wanted to go home. Porch Light Productions was named for this very idea. Porch Light Productions provides an environment where artists of all ages are welcome to explore and experience the many aspects of theatre. Porch Light focuses on the production of original and scripted works while also providing instructional classes, seminars, and workshops. Finally, Porch Light Productions is committed to “leaving the light on” to ensure that all artists will always have a creative place to come home to. ~ Ryan Pifher, Owner/Artistic Director