The Vanguard Theater Company

VANGUARD THEATER COMPANY (VTC), FOUNDED BY TWO BLACK ARTISTS, PROVIDES EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY, TRAINING, AND ACCESS TO THEATER ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES. VTC IS CHANGING THE NARRATIVE THROUGH THEATER DEDICATED TO DREAM: DIVERSITY, RECIPROCITY, EDUCATION, ACTIVISM AND MENTORSHIP.

VTC CHALLENGES CONVENTIONAL SOCIAL AND CULTURAL NARRATIVES THROUGH THEATER DEDICATED TO DREAM: DIVERSITY, RECIPROCITY, EDUCATION, ACTIVISM, & MENTORSHIP. THE VISION OF VTC IS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL FOR PURPOSEFUL INCLUSION OF DIVERSE VOICES AND STORIES; CASTING AND LEADERSHIP THAT REFLECTS OUR COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT PROPEL CROSS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS WITH NON-ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND HIGHER EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND ADVOCACY GROUPS. ULTIMATELY, VTC ENSURES THAT STORIES GET TOLD IN WAYS THAT SPARK NEW THOUGHT AND CONVERSATION ABOUT BIAS AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. IN FY22, COLOR-CONSCIOUS CASTING AND TALKS WITH LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUPS DREW ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY THROUGH VTC'S PRODUCTION OF NEXT TO NORMAL, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LGBTQIA ORGS DURING THE PRODUCTION OF RENT HIGHLIGHTED THE CONTINUED STRUGGLE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV-AIDS.

VTC IDENTIFIES AND HELPS DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION OF PLAYWRIGHTS, COMPOSERS, LYRICISTS, PERFORMERS, AND STAGECRAFT ARTISTS FROM RACES AND COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY FACED INSTITUTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO MAINSTREAM MUSICAL THEATER. VTCS ONGOING EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMMING, WHICH REACHES MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS ANNUALLY, INCLUDES DREAM VTC, A BY AUDITION EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAM FOR AGES 12-18 THAT TOURS TO SITES SERVING POPULATIONS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS; AND VTC KIDS, WHICH HAS EDUCATION, SUMMER CAMP, AND PERFORMANCE COMPONENTS FOR AGES 6-12. ALL OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE USING THE ARTS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE VTC SIGNATURE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS ARE OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE IN THE EFFORTS TO CHALLENGE NARRATIVES.

SUMMERSTOCK, A 3-WEEK RESIDENTIAL CAMP IS AN INTENSIVE, BY-AUDITION, PERFORMING ARTS EXPERIENCE FOR SERIOUS MUSICAL THEATER STUDENTS, AGES 12-19, IN RESIDENCE AT CAMP IN NJ. STUDENTS LEARN CRITICAL THEATER SKILLS AND LIFE LESSONS. FOR MANY IT IS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE LIVING AND WORKING OUTSIDE OF THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC BUBBLES. FOR SOME, IT IS THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY LIVING IN NATURE AND ENGAGING IN TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES. THE STAFF IS LED BY PROFESSIONAL ACTORS AND DIRECTORS, AND APPROXIMATELY 60 CAMPERS PERFORM THREE FULLY PRODUCED SHOWS IN THREE WEEKS TIME. IN ADDITION TO SHOW REHEARSALS, CAMPERS TAKE WORKSHOPS IN A VARIETY OF AREAS INCLUDING: SONGWRITING, SHAKESPEARE, MUSICAL THEATER DANCE, MUSIC THEORY, SIGHT READING AND CHARACTER ANALYSIS. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS: SWIMMING, BOATING, ARCHERY, HIKING, AND NIGHTLY CAMPFIRES, PERFECTLY ROUND OUT THE CAMP EXPERIENCE.