SCHOOLS SCHOOLS CAMPS CAMPS & Vanguard Theater Company offers inclusion for artists

A theater camp that not only offers excellent training, but also fosters a sense of community, celebrates diversity and differences, and has a staff of professional performers and educators who believe in nurturing and developing the whole person with kindness and compassion? That’s Vanguard Theater Company.

Vanguard Theater has two amazing programs to satisfy young artists, ages 8 - 12, in our VTC Kids Summer Day Camp, and serious musical theater students and techies, ages 12 - 19 in our SummerstockVTC Sleepaway Intensive. Both programs are led by our professional teaching staff of actors and directors, making this a truly unique and educational experience for all aspiring musical theater lovers and artists.

To quote a parent of a first time camper last year: "I have to tell you, you all are MAGIC! I’m CRYING. You all literally create joyful, magical, creative INCLUSION. I feel so incredibly blessed that my child is experiencing this learning/growing with VTC. It feels like we won the theater education lottery! I’m not even there with you and it feels like we’ve found FAMILY. I hope all these kids know just how lucky they are. Thank you for all you do.” Kathy M. VTC Kids campers can look forward to 5 days a week of playing theater games, learning core musical theater skills, working together as a team, all while having a great time rehearsing for a fully produced production with lights, costumes, and all the bells and whistles on Vanguard Theater’s mainstage on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ. For more about VTC Kids, click here: https://www.vanguardtheatercompany.org/kids-camp-2023.

Another parent quote: "I am always amazed at how talented these kids are and what Vanguard is able to achieve in such a short amount of time. The show was fabulous!! My only regret is that the full performances are only for one weekend!!! Thank you for allowing my daughter to show her talents, boost her self esteem, and develop a greater awareness of the world around her.” Jamie M.

Teen participants in our Summerstock VTC Sleepaway Intensive enjoy three weeks in the woods at Camp Vacamas in West Milford. In addition to all the usual features of sleep away campthink swimming, boating, hiking, zip lining, ropes courses, archery, and morecampers take workshops in Shakespeare, acting technique, character analysis, musical theater dance, songwriting, puppetry, and dialects, to name a few, while rehearsing for one of three fully produced productions. This year’s shows under consideration are Heathers, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Peter and the Starcatcher. More pictures, videos and info here: https://www.vanguardtheatercompany.org/summerstock-2023

Quoting former campers: "I believe that as a human race we segregate ourselves because we find safety in those who share our background and common values. But at Vanguard, we all embrace individuality, diversity, inclusion, and theater (of course), giving us a safe environment where we all have the freedom to break free from the racial and social boxes and cliques that are so widespread.” Jordan M.

"Vanguard has never let me down. From camps to shows, I am always so happy with my experiences in this theater company and have met amazing people who have offered me constant guidance and support, even when I can't pay it back. Vanguard has helped me grow as an actor and person, and today I am blessed to say that I am working on my first national tour!” Aaron B. Students from our Summerstock Intensive have gone on to prestigious musical theater, drama, and music programs at MSU, HARTT, Pace, Emerson, Webster, Berkely, and many more! Check out Vanguard Theater Summer Programs, at https://www.vanguardtheatercompany.org/summercamps.

Founded in 2015, Vanguard Theater is a not-for-profit company challenging social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship. We are located at 180 Bloomfield Avenue, in Montclair, NJ. For more information about the company, visit www.VanguardTheaterCompany.org or find Vanguard across social media @VTCNJ and #dreamVTC.

jazz & poetry theater

Hip Hop

Summer Performing Arts Programs

There’s no better place to explore the performing arts this summer than NJPAC! Connect with accomplished faculty and other young artists of all ages in a variety of programming.

Visit njpac.org/students to learn more Email artseducation@njpac.org to inquire about registration & pricing

Generous support for Arts Training is provided, in part, by BD, Jennifer A. Chalsty, Judy and Stewart Colton, Toby and Lee Cooperman, Mimi and Edwin Feliciano, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, McCrane Foundation, Inc., care of Margrit McCrane, M&T Bank, NJ Advance Media, Richmond County Savings Foundation, David & Marian Rocker, Santander, TD Charitable Foundation, Victoria Foundation, WBGO Jazz 88.3FM, Women@NJPAC and an anonymous donor.