Vanguard Theater Company Pivots and Reinvents to Survive COVID-19

Vanguard invites the community to join a virtual Happy Hour on April 24, where it will announce new programs and events, accompanied by performances by Broadway Buddies, Vanguard teens, sneak peeks into Vanguard’s plans for its new Montclair space at 180 Bloomfield Avenue, giveaways, raffles and more. 

Registration is free via the Vanguard website, vanguardtheatercompany.org.

On March 1, and in what feels like a different world, Vanguard Theater Company entered into a three-year lease for a theater space at 180 Bloomfield Avenue, and was poised to launch its signature Broadway Buddy program, classes and announce its upcoming season, all dedicated to DREAM—Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Awareness and Mentorship. 

“We were excited to be an active part of the vibrant Montclair arts scene, and to contribute to preserving and nurturing the rich diversity of downtown Montclair,” says Jessica Sporn, Montclair resident and Vanguard’s Managing Director.

Then the world changed, causing Vanguard, and arts organizations all over the country, to rethink and reinvent. 

Vanguard hopes that the following programs and events will keep the performing arts community connected and engaged:

• Vanguard will host virtual campfires and open mics for middle and high school students, to give a glimpse of the community and bonding we experience every summer at Summer-stock Sleepaway Camp. (Any donations will benefit the Actors Fund, which is on the forefront of providing social services and protection for people in the industry who find themselves unemployed at this time).
• Beginning April 27, Vanguard will offer Theater & Dance classes vía ZOOM, taught by Broadway actors and professional educators.
• Vanguard will share sneak peeks into its Broadway Buddy Mentorship Program, which is in its fifth year and proceeding remotely.
• Vanguard will offer master classes with virtual coaching by some of its Broadway Buddies.
• Vanguard will share Acting, Singing and Dance tips of the week on its YouTube Channel.

With Vanguard’s plans for 180 Bloomfield suddenly thrown into the air by COVID-19, Vanguard anticipated a $65,000 shortfall by September 2020. Vanguard has applied for all available Small Business Loans and has requested a three-month rent extension from the landlord, Kaz Mirza, for 180 Bloomfield Avenue. In addition, Vanguard’s Artistic and Managing Directors immediately agreed to forego their salaries, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts fast-forwarded the remainder of Vanguard's 2020 grant monies.

Vanguard also reached out to long-time supporter TeeRico for emergency assistance. TeeRico responded with a generous grant of $25,000, stating, “We recognize how important Vanguard’s work is for our community and the importance of supporting the continuation of your efforts during these uncertain times.”

TeeRico’s support is especially welcomed during this time, says Vanguard Artistic Director, Janeece Freeman Clark. “With our extended community struggling economically, and many of our Broadway friends personally battling COVID-19, we are cautious about asking for donations, because we know how much everyone is hurting. But we continue to believe that Vanguard has been and will continue to be a force to train artist activists of tomorrow, and provide a place where our dedication to the principles of DREAM will flourish through the performing arts. This pandemic is particularly cruel to marginalized people in Essex County, and we want to be there to help heal and bring different communities together once the worst has passed.” (Above: Lin-Manuel Miranda poses with cast members of Vanguard Theater Company’s production of The Wiz of Oz in “pre social distancing” February 2020.)

For more information, visit vanguardtheatercompany.org or call (973) 632-2523

ABOUT VANGUARD THEATER COMPANY

Vanguard Theater Company is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit producing original, collaborative and re-imagined works of theater.  Dedicated to D.R.E.A.M.—Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Awareness and Mentorship—Vanguard is committed to imaginative, non-traditional casting, and professional artistic mentorship. Vanguard Theater Company's year-round programming is made possible through generous support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, TeeRico by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Investors Bank, collaborations with Montclair Film and other community partners, and the generosity of many individual donors.  For more information about Vanguard Theater Company, visit www.VanguardTheaterCompany.org