Hoboken, New Jersey, is a small city, but it holds a lot of history, energy, and change. With more than 57,000 people living in just 1.25 square miles, Hoboken is the fourth most densely populated city in the United States. But despite living so close together, many people in Hoboken don’t really know their neighbors. That’s exactly what the Inheritance Theater Project (ITP) wanted to change when they started their work in the city in September 2024.
The project was a long, thoughtful process that brought people together across different backgrounds, ages, incomes, and beliefs. Over the course of nine months, ITP worked closely with more than 700 Hoboken residents and 15 community organizations to create something new—a play written by the people of Hoboken, for the people of Hoboken. The result is called “Recollection: A Hoboken Story.”
The final performances will take place at Mile Square Theatre, located at 1400 Clinton Street, on the weekend of May 30 to June 1, 2025. And after, for a fitting ending, a community block party will be held at 14th Street Viaduct Park on Sunday, June 1, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
- More than 700 Hoboken residents created a play together over nine months, led by the Inheritance Theater Project and 15 local groups.
- The play focuses on water flooding, climate change, and river access as major issues affecting life in Hoboken.
- Free performances run from May 30 to June 1, 2025, at Mile Square Theatre, followed by a public block party on June 1 at 14th Street Viaduct Park.
How the Project Started
In the beginning, ITP set up an informational table during the Hoboken Fall Arts + Music Festival in September 2024. From there, the team began hosting what they called “conversation salons” across the city. These weren’t formal interviews or speeches, they were rather friendly group talks held in familiar local spaces, such as:
- Hoboken Public Library
- Symposia Books
- St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church
- Housing Authority Community Rooms
The salons were led by two local artists, Rose Ginsberg and Namibia Donadio, with help from Róisín Goebelbecker, the national ITP program manager. At first, they invited people who were considered civic leaders. Then, those participants connected to even more local voices—students, parents, long-time residents, and newcomers.
Instead of only interviewing people and writing a script, ITP used a method called “devised theater,” meaning the script was built from scratch using the exact stories, memories, and ideas shared by the people of Hoboken. Every participant helped shape the narrative.
Why Water Was at the Center of So Many Stories
As these conversations continued, a clear theme started to emerge: water.
Many residents still remember the devastation of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, when the Hudson River flooded Hoboken, covering streets and damaging homes for days. This memory became a powerful shared experience among residents, especially those living in the low-lying western parts of Hoboken, where flooding happens more often. These neighborhoods are also home to most of Hoboken’s working-class families and communities of color, who often face worse conditions and fewer resources when it floods.
People also talked about the regular rain events that cause street flooding and how the city’s old infrastructure can’t keep up with modern development. Hoboken’s growth has brought new buildings and residents, but it’s also created challenges for those who’ve lived here for decades.
But not all water stories were negative. Many residents shared their love for Hoboken’s waterfront parks, kayaking programs, and river views. Groups like the Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse, H2Oboken, Resilience Adventures, and the Fund for a Better Waterfront work to protect the Hudson River, improve public access, and design spaces that absorb rainwater naturally, such as rooftop gardens and rain gardens around the city.
So, through joy and pain, water connected everyone. It was something that everyone had a story about, even if their experiences were very different.
What the Play Is About and Why It Matters
The final play, “Recollection: A Hoboken Story,” tells the story of a young woman trying to understand why her family might need to leave Hoboken. As she talks with her neighbors and listens to their experiences, she starts to realize that the problems go beyond her family, understanding the hardship surrounding housing, community, and the environment.
Her journey represents what hundreds of real people shared during this project. Amazingly, the voices in this play are inspired by real people who sat down at a table and told their truth.
One of those voices is Rio the Messenger, a Hoboken singer-songwriter who joined one of the conversation salons. Her song, “Down by the River,” was based on what she shared and heard in the group. It became part of the script and now serves as one of the emotional highlights of the play. Her lyrics describe both the pain of losing everything in a flood and the peace she finds near the river:
“The River is rising but there’s so much water inside of me…
Some days it’s down by the river the only peace I find in the mile square…”
When and Where to See the Play
The final public events are coming soon, and everyone in Hoboken is invited. The performances will be held at Mile Square Theatre, and there will be free food and chances to meet your neighbors at the post-show receptions.
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, May 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM – Followed by a community reception
- Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 2:00 PM – Followed by a community reception
- Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM – Followed by the community block party
All performances are free or pay-what-you-wish, and proceeds will go to local Hoboken artists to continue similar community projects.
What to Expect at the Block Party
Then, right after the final performance, the entire city is invited to the Hoboken Community Block Party.
Block Party Details:
- Sunday, June 1, 2025
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- 14th Street Viaduct Park
- Free for everyone—no ticket needed
There will be:
- Live music and dancing
- Snacks and drinks
- Games and activities for all ages
- A community resource table
- A space to share flyers and announcements
- A community bulletin board
- Encouragement to wear your neighborhood or school gear
To learn more or get involved in future events, email [email protected] or visit the Inheritance Theater Project website. You can also find tickets and RSVP info on the UNATION app or website.
