Long Island’s Historic Jones Beach Theater

Janina Casey leverages her extensive New York financial experience in fundraising for nonprofit organization Urban Tech. Also having a lifelong passion for theater, Janina Casey appeared on television as a child and performed in The Sound of Music at the Jones Beach Theater on Long Island.

A Jones Beach State Park institution, the Jones Beach Theater began in a temporary wooden stadium built in the 1930s as part of a work relief program. In 1949, the stadium was demolished.

A new concrete structure opened in 1951 and had an 8,200 capacity. Featuring a moat between the audience and the stage, the theater hosted numerous musicals featuring artists such as the Guy Lombardo Orchestra. A band would typically play on a small yacht that moved through the moat during intermissions.

From 1952 to 1982, shows such as South Pacific and Annie Get Your Gun were produced at the theater, featuring many well-known names from the stage and film. With its capacity increased to 15,000 in the late 1990s, the unique Jones Beach Theater is focused today on musical performances.