ABOUT US
OUR WHY
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purposeful inclusion of diverse voices and stories;
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casting and leadership that reflects our community;
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organizing and promoting partnerships that propel cross community conversations with non-arts organizations to connect the stories onstage with real events off-stage
Our Mission/Vision/Values/Theory of Change
Changing social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship.
Our Strategic Plan
Our Financials
Our DEAI, Anti-Racist Policy, Land Acknowledgment
Our Awards and Accolades
Michael Jordan Community Grant
Congressional Commendation; US Representative Donald Payne Jr
NJSCA Citation of Excellence for Dream VTC program
Hyacinth Aids Foundation Social Justice Award
Nassan's Place Community Appreciation Honoree
Broadway World NJ Awards; Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical (Eric Marchetta-Spring Awakening)
Janeece Freeman Clark Tony Nominee Excellence in Education
New Jersey on Stage Top 15 list 2023
New Jersey on Stage Top 15 list 2022
Jessica Sporn NJTA Curtain Call
Melissa McHugh NJTA Curtain Call
Our Press
Our Staff & Board
VTC is led by founding Producing Artistic Director Janeece Freeman Clark. We live our mission. Our Board is 55% BIPOC and 90% female; the staff is 60% BIPOC and 80% female; our creative team, production team, students, and casts are 55% 52% 53% and 51% BIPOC respectively. Audiences and participants have come from 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.
Staff
Board
Our History
2023
With an award from the Michael Jordan and Jordan Brands Foundations, VTC presents a new works festival, Illuminating New Voices. VTC’s production of Passing Strange draws the attention of Tony Award winning writer Stew, and is named one of the top 15 shows of 2023 by NJ Arts. VTC receives capacity building grants from the NJ Cultural Trust and the Hyde Foundation.
A Chorus Line (EDU)
2022
VTC joins the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Theater Alliance and participates in its campaign to safely return to in person programming. Janeece Freeman Clark is a Tony Award nominee for Excellence in Education. Expanded programming includes a full and critically acclaimed Mainstage Season, regular drag shows and performances at Montclair Pride. VTC’s production of Rent is named one of the top 15 shows of 2022 by NJ Arts. After a 9 month process, VTC adopts a five year strategic plan.
Drag Show
Seussical Jr. (EDU)
Into the Woods (EDU)
2021
VTC opens its new Montclair space, intentionally located in the Fourth Ward of Montclair. The location is in the heart of what has historically been the lowest income and most BIPOC neighborhood in an active and diverse town. VTC immediately begins partnering with local restaurants, civic groups, and the Business Improvement District to connect with area residents and become a home for the community, including the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation, Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Our Montclair.
Shrek (EDU)
Little Women (EDU)
Zombie Prom (EDU)
James and the Giant Peach Jr. (EDU)
2020
On March 1, VTC signs a lease for a home of its own in Montclair, NJ. On March 12, Broadway shuts down and the nation goes into quarantine. VTC uses the quarantine to renovate what was the Old Mogul Theater. In order to keep its students engaged, VTC begins remote programming and creates the VTC Next program to train the next generation of composers, lyricists, and backstage artists.
For the Love of Charlie Brown (EDU)
The Wiz of Oz (EDU)
Spring Awakening (EDU)
2019
VTC begins to actively look for a space to build a theater, while continuing to create programming in rented spaces in Northern NJ and Off Broadway NY theaters. VTC adds a kids Day Camp to its summer programming, and expands its partnerships to include Covenant House, NJ.
Broadway Buddy Mentorship Cabaret (EDU)
Spring Awakening (EDU)
The Little Mermaid (EDU)
Little Shop of Horrors (EDU)
Jungle Book/VTCkids (EDU)
A Little Princess (EDU)
Runaways (EDU)
The Lion King Kids (EDU)
NJ Pride Annual Drag Show
2018
VTC creates the DREAM VTC program, to tie artistic performance to activism, and tours teen productions of Children's Letters to God to Nassan’s Place (serving children with autism) and the Senior Home for the Actor’s Fund. VTC expands its community partnerships to include Montclair Film, Everytown for Gun Safety, and NJ Pride.
Heathers (EDU)
Thirteen (EDU)
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (EDU)
Two Gentlemen of Verona (EDU)
Tropes, Types, and Tokenism in Film and on Broadway - A Collaboration with Montclair Film
2017
VTC expands its mentorship and pre-professional training by founding a summerstock sleepaway camp. It continues excellent professional programming with Memphis the Musical at the Westminster Arts Center, and a mixed professional and community production of The Music Man in Concert.
Carrie the Musical (EDU)
Into the Woods (EDU)
NJ Pride Annual Drag Show
2016
VTC holds its first Board of Directors retreat and plans for its first Broadway Buddy Mentorship Cabaret, pairing Broadway performers with aspiring professionals, in one-on-one relationships that culminate in a one night only cabaret. VTC begins its hallmark practice of amplifying social issues through the arts by partnering with civil rights community groups for an encore performance of A Portrait of Ray.
Fright Nights (EDU)
2015
Janeece Freeman Clark and Daryl Stewart Co-Found Vanguard Theater Company and incorporate it as a not for profit corporation.