Accessibility/ADA COMPLIANCE

At Vanguard Theater, we believe the arts should be accessible to everyone. We are committed to removing barriers - physical, financial, and experiential - so that all members of our community can engage with our work in meaningful ways.

While our historic building is not yet fully accessible, we are actively taking steps to expand access across our performances, programs, and spaces. Our goal is not only to meet accessibility standards, but to thoughtfully and creatively ensure that everyone can experience theater at Vanguard.

What We Offer Now

  • Vanguard Theater Company is committed to expanding access to the performing arts for all audiences. While our current venue is still in the process of becoming fully physically accessible, we remain committed to ensuring that all audience members can engage with our work. We provide a range of in-person accommodations and alternative access options to support each patron’s experience.
    For in-person attendance, we invite patrons to submit an accommodation request form in advance of their visit so we can best support individual needs. Services require at least 3–4 weeks’ advance notice and are subject to availability. We will make every reasonable effort to provide appropriate accommodations for audience members attending performances.

    For productions where streaming is permitted, we offer streamed performances as part of our commitment to equitable access. These opportunities are shared through email announcements, social media, and community outreach, with reminder communications leading up to each performance.

    For productions where streaming is not permitted due to licensing restrictions, we provide alternative access materials such as production photography and narrative storytelling packages to help audiences who are unable to attend in person engage with the creative work.

    We continue to explore additional accessibility offerings for future seasons, including captioned performances, ASL interpretation, sensory-friendly programming, and expanded digital engagement opportunities as resources and licensing allow. As part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility infrastructure, we are also actively advancing plans for building improvements, including recent consultations with contractors and updated quotes related to elevator installation and long-term venue accessibility upgrades.

  • When permitted by licensing agreements, Vanguard offers live-streamed performances to ensure access for patrons who are unable to attend in person.

    For the 2025–26 Season, streaming will be available for:

    • Little Women
      Saturday, January 24, 2025 – 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

    • Newsies
      Saturday, June 27, 2025 – 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

    Streaming allows audiences to:

    • Watch from home or care facilities

    • Attend despite mobility, health, or transportation barriers

    • Join from outside the region

    📌 Tickets for streaming performances will be posted on this page as they become available.Join Our Newsletter‍ ‍to stay up to date!

  • For productions that cannot be streamed due to licensing restrictions, Vanguard offers a Photographic Storytelling Package, designed to provide an alternative way to experience the show.

    Each package includes:

    • Professionally photographed production images

    • Visual storytelling of key moments, characters, and design elements

    • A written and/or audio narrative summary of the story (audience choice)

    • Highlights of dialogue, themes, and action

    • When legally permitted, links to the full published script

    These packages allow patrons to engage with the artistic work even when live or streamed attendance is not possible.

  • Streaming tickets
    Streaming tickets will be available through our main ticketing system. Instructions and links will be shared by email, social media, and on this page once released.

    When streaming information is released
    Streaming announcements are typically shared several weeks prior to the performance, followed by reminder emails and day-of communications.

    Accessing storytelling packages
    When available, storytelling packages will be posted on this page under each production as part of our accessibility resources.

    Need Accessibility Support
    Submit a request through our Accessibility Accommodation Form for in-person performance needs. A member of our team will be in touch.

    Request an Accommodation

STAY UP TO DATE ON ACCESSIBLE OFFERINGS
Request an Accommodation

follow the journey with our storytelling packages below

Accessible Performances & Programs

A diverse group of performers from Rent pose together outdoors at Montclair Pride 2022, smiling and cheering with raised arms in front of a stage. They wear matching black T-shirts and appear joyful and celebratory in a city street setting.

Onsite & Offsite Performances

All offsite performances and community events take place in fully ADA-compliant venues, including:

  • Montclair Theater Festival

  • Montclair Museum of Art

  • Wally Choice Community Center

  • Public parks and community festivals

  • Partner schools and cultural organizations

Education Programs

Vanguard offers educational programming for students ages 4 - adult. The majority of our classes take place in fully accessible venues.

Accessible Programs Include:

  • VTC Kids

  • VTC Teens

  • Broadway Bound

  • Dance Enhance

  • Disney Dreamers

  • Summerstock (Appel Farm Arts & Music Center)

  • School residencies (Montclair & regional districts)

  • Lifelong Montclair Creative Aging Program

For programs currently housed in partially accessible venues, we:

  • Limit use to accessible spaces only

  • Offer alternative session options when possible

  • Are actively working toward expanded accessibility in future seasons

A large cast of children and teens perform a final pose onstage during Aladdin Jr., standing on tiered platforms with arms raised beneath colorful fabric scenery and theatrical lighting.
Lifelong Montclair senior residents and Montclair High School Center for Social Justice students sit together at red tablecloth-covered tables during an intergenerational performance of Lady Day, creating a warm and communal theater atmosphere.

Community Access & Outreach

We work closely with:

  • Schools

  • Community organizations

  • Disability advocacy groups

  • Senior and lifelong learning programs

to ensure our work reaches audiences who may otherwise face barriers to participation.

We also provide:

  • Group access options

  • Community invitations

  • Accessible performance information via email and social media

LOOKING AHEAD

Vanguard Theater is committed to expanding physical access to our space so that all members of our community can fully participate in our performances and programs.

While our historic building is not yet fully accessible, we are actively working toward a long-term solution that will allow for greater access for patrons with mobility needs.

Lift Installation & Facility Access
We are currently in the planning phase of installing a lift to improve accessibility throughout our building. This project represents a significant investment in the future of Vanguard Theater and reflects our commitment to equity, inclusion, and community access.

To date, we have:

  • Engaged an architect to assess feasibility and design options

  • Completed preliminary drawings and planning work

  • Begun conversations with the Township of Montclair to ensure compliance with local requirements

This work is part of a larger, phased effort to improve accessibility while preserving the integrity of our historic space. As this process moves forward, we will continue to share updates and timelines as they become available.