Hiring at local performing arts theaters is up by over 17%, according to Investopedia.

This is also the case for Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Monmouth County. Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco believes this is the result of post-pandemic audiences wanting to go out and have a theater experience.

“In the case of Axelrod, our programming has increased, and we are hiring more people because we're doing more shows,” DePrisco said.

That increase has forced the need for a second theater for Axelrod, the Bell Theatre at Bell Works in Holmdel.

Between full stage musicals and ballets, the theater needs musicians, actors, directors and designers now more than ever.

Shayne Austin Miller at Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan says he's more than doubled his staff since last year.

“During COVID, a lot of arts organizations were forced to lay off staff. You don't have income coming in, you can't have expenses going out. But now that audiences are starting to come back to theatre and the other performing arts, we've been hiring up,” he said.

As they continue to put on more shows, Miller looks forward to adding hires to the Algonquin Arts Theatre team.

Another big change coming to theaters like Algonquin and Axelrod is their diversified audience members and shows.

“I think one of the things COVID has done was to let arts organizations hit that reset button, so we can have a more inclusive environment,” said Miller.

“We're trying to reach a much more different demographic. A younger demographic, a Black demographic, a Latino demographic, an Asian demographic,” said DePrisco.

When it comes to diversifying shows, Axelrod is doing a musical based on "Raisin in the Sun" with Felecia Rashad as their production consultant.

At Algonquin, they're doing an educational series that will include shows like "Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.”

In the post-pandemic era, local theaters like these are expanding, diversifying and creating great job opportunities along the way.