The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum is a professional theatre that produces and presents year- round entertainment, including a Main Stage Series, consisting of drama, comedies, thrillers, and musicals; two Children’s Theatre series, and a Jazz Showcase. The theatre is a Senior Member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization of 30 professional theatres throughout the state of New Jersey. The Bickford Theatre works in conjunction with Actors' Equity Association and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. The theatre also has educational opportunities for children and adults with its Brightest Star School for the Performing Arts.

The theatre opened and was dedicated in 1986. It was used primarily as a lecture hall, which occasionally housed music concerts, lectures, and poetry readings. In 1994, the Board of Trustees of The Morris Museum decided to use the theatre as a self-producing theatre for its membership.  Mr. Walker Joyce was hired as the Producing Artistic Director in 1993. The first official year of The Bickford Theatre was in 1994, and featured a five-play season. For subsequent through 1998, the Bickford Theatre produced a five-play season. 1999 and 2000 produced a four-play season. In its first six seasons, Bickford Theatre was nominated for 32 awards, won 6, and placed a show in the Star-Ledger’s annual Top Ten Plays list for three consecutive years. A subscriber base was established in Season Two.  In November of 2000, Mr. Joyce resigned to pursue other artistic endeavors.

In December of 2000, the Museum hired Eric Hafen as its Artistic Director. Mr. Hafen was the former Artistic Director of Park Theatre, Theatre at the Mount, and the Little Theatre Stage Company. He also served as the Artistic Director of shows for Six Flags Corporation. He was named the Outstanding Professional in the Arts for 2005 from the Arts Council of the Morris Area.

From its beginnings in 1994 to the present, thousands of theatergoers from throughout the state of New Jersey have enjoyed its many entertaining and diversified productions in theatre, music and dance. 

Physical Plant

Bickford Theatre is a 312-seat house with a proscenium stage, apron and area for an orchestra pit.  Each seat has a full view of the entire stage.  The floor plan of the house is divided into three sections, right, center and left.  There is no balcony. There is limited fly space above the stage, and moderate wing space.  There is a full set of theatrical draperies.  There are two dressing rooms, each with the comfortable capacity of 4 or 5 actors.  Each dressing room is fully equipped with toilet, sink and shower.  There is a water cooler, microwave and refrigerator available.  On the second floor of the theatre, there is a classroom used by the brightest Star School School of Performing Arts, Bickford Theatre administrative offices and Box Office, and the control booth.