This fall, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will introduce the Ed Hajim Professional Readiness Program, a new initiative aimed at preparing aspiring artists for successful careers in the performing arts. Inspired by Ed Hajim’s book, Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable About Preparing for Your Future, this program will offer a series of classes and opportunities designed to help young artists achieve their career goals.
Ed Hajim, a distinguished business executive with a background at Capital Group, E.F. Hutton, and Lehman Brothers, and now chairman and CEO of Furman Selz, is supporting the program with a significant donation. He will also engage with participants, sharing his journey from foster care to Harvard Business School and leading financial firms.
“I believe it is important for all young people to have time, resources, and opportunities to think about the life they want to create for themselves, not just how they will make a living,” Hajim stated.
While NJPAC has long included career preparedness in its arts education programs, the new PREP initiative will expand and formalize these efforts.
“Ed Hajim’s remarkable life story and the lessons from his career have inspired us to develop workshops and programs that prepare our students for their professional lives,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “This gift and Ed’s involvement will significantly enhance our career-readiness programming.”
“These initiatives will help our students combine their raw talent with essential business skills, allowing them to explore their passions and plan their futures effectively,” added Rosa Hyde, Senior Director Arts Ed Performances and Special Events at NJPAC.
The PREP program, available free to current NJPAC students and alumni, will guide participants from age 14 through their professional careers. The program includes:
• Business of the Arts Workshops: For ages 14-18, these workshops will cover resume-writing, social media management, and financial literacy through year-long, two-hour Saturday seminars following NJPAC’s arts training classes.
• Production Education Assistants Program: For ages 18-30, this series of bi-weekly classes in technical theater skills will be followed by shadowing professional stagehands and preparing for the USITT BACKstage Exam.
• NJPAC Alumni Network: Graduates can join this network to connect with fellow artists, mentor younger talents, and access job leads through an online platform.Additional career-focused programs include:
• Creative Coaching: For ages 14-18, this program pairs students with mentors to set and achieve career-focused goals, meeting twice a week throughout the school year.
• The Creator’s Room: For ages 16-18, these quarterly meetings with professional artists offer practical advice on auditions, representation, and job opportunities.
• Brick City Booking: For current students and alumni, this service provides access to paid performance opportunities and helps with contract negotiation and repertoire preparation.“These programs, combined with Ed’s involvement, will transform the lives of our students,” says Schreiber.
For more information on NJPAC’s arts education and career readiness programs, visit www.njpac.org/arts-education.
