NHP screens new documentary about Thomas Edison’s work in West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — “The Wizard of West Orange,” a new documentary short about the genius of Thomas Edison, his inventions, his life, and his workshops, will be unveiled Wednesday June 22, at 5:30 p.m. at Thomas Edison National Historical Park, 211 Main St. in West Orange. Admission is free and open to the public. The Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park will provide light refreshments.

“The Wizard of West Orange” video was produced and directed by Jane Steuerwald and Joel Katz, professors in the media arts department of NJ City University in Jersey City, and voiced by NJCU professor Karen Morgan. Media arts department production majors participated as writers, animators, cinematographers, sound designers and editors on this ambitious team project.

“The Wizard of West Orange” project is part of an on-going collaboration between Thomas Edison National Historical Park, New Jersey City University, and the Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium an independent non-profit organization operating in association with NJCU’s Department of Media Arts. The Consortium is also the parent organization of the Black Maria Film Festival and the NJ Young Filmmakers’ Festival. The Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park are volunteers who work to preserve and enhance the heritage of Thomas Edison and his legacy.

For further information about the film project, contact Jane Steuerwald, at 201-200-2043 or jane@blackmariafilmfestival.org. For more information about the Thomas Edison NHP, call 973-736-0550, ext. 11, or visit www.nps.gov/edis.