Vanguard Theater Awarded 2023 Community Grant Through Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand

The theater will use the grant funds to support and nurture original and new works that inspire audiences to think critically about social and cultural narratives.

Edgar Herrera Named Managing Director Of George Street Playhouse

To mark the 60th birthday of NBA legend Michael Jordan, NJ nonprofit Vanguard Theater was awarded a community grant by Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand. Vanguard was the only NJ-based organization to receive such news, and one of only two theater companies. Co-Founded in 2015 by NJ Based theater maker Janeece Freeman Clark, Vanguard aims to challenge social and cultural narratives through professional theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism, and Mentorship.

"Creating more equitable futures for Black people starts with an intentional journey. So, as our Jordan Brand family celebrates Michael's 60th birthday, we are thrilled to welcome these organizations committed to accelerating progress in their communities," says Craig Williams, Jordan Brand President.

Building on the efforts of the BCC, Vanguard Theater will specifically use the grant funds to support and nurture original and new works that inspire audiences to think critically about existing social and cultural narratives, through a New Works Festival: Illuminating New Voices. With this generous award from the BCC, Vanguard Theater is opening submissions for the New Works Festival, running May 19-23, at Vanguard Theater.

"This funding will help us immensely in our continued efforts to mentor and amplify marginalized voices in all areas of the theater industry including, but not limited to writers, producers, composers, performers, directors, choreographers, and managers," said Freeman-Clark, who serves as Vanguard's Producing Artistic Director.

Jordan Community Grants are awarded once a year to grassroots, non-profit organizations that are driving action and leading sustainable solutions to improve Black lives in their neighborhoods. Grant funds were awarded to 48 organizations, including Vanguard Theater, with a local connection to the initiative's four key focus areas of economic justice, education, narrative change, and social justice.

This is the third cycle of the Community Grant Program as part of Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand's commitment to the Black community.

ABOUT VANGUARD THEATER


Founded in 2015, Vanguard Theater Company is a 501(c)(3) committed to changing social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship. Vanguard Theater has quickly become a destination for great professional theater, inspired community collaborations, excellent youth programming, and more. Manifest star Geraldine Leer recently named Vanguard Theater
as one of her favorite artistic destinations in Montclair, NJ and, to quote Jay Lustig, reviewer for NJ Stages, "This is the third Vanguard Theater show I've reviewed since it opened its new Montclair space last year, and I've been impressed by them all." Vanguard looks forward to continuing its reputation for excellent theater and impactful community dialogue in its second full season in Montclair, NJ.

Contact: vanguard@dreamvtc.org, www.vanguardtheatercompany.org, or on social media @vtcnj and #dreamVTC.



RELATED STORIES - New Jersey

GOD, COUNTRY, AND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT Concert is Coming to St. Thomas the Apostle Church

On Sunday, June 4th, 2023 at 3pm The Music Ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle Church of Bloomfield, NJ will present God, Country, and the American Spirit: A 'Thank You' Concert for Veterans.

East Lynne Theater Company to Take Over Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church

East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) announced today that it has been offered a 25-year lease to utilize Cape May’s historic Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) for its future productions. Having had a successful tenure at the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May for over 20 years, the Company will now begin to raise funds to renovate the space to turn it into a theater with the hopes of opening for the 2024 season.

Classic American Tales Presents TALES AT THE DORMER HOUSE in June

Classic American Tales (CAT) presents TALES AT THE DORMER HOUSE.  This new company has taken on what had been presented by East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) for 33 years under the name 'Tales of the Victorians.'

 Surflight Theatre Opens 2023 Season With STEEL PIER

 Surflight Theatre is opening their 2023 Season with a show celebrating the magnificent history of Atlantic City’s Steel Pier in the 1930’s:  Kander and Ebb’s STEEL PIER the Musical.


Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Rose Tattoo
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (5/31-6/18)Tracker
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# OTHER DESERT CITIES
Kelsey Theatre (5/26-6/04)Tracker PHOTOS VIDEOS
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Derek Hough – Symphony of Dance
Mayo Performing Arts Center (11/30-11/30)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# And A Nightingale Sang...
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (7/12-7/30)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (7/05-7/30)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# What Doesn't Kill You
West End Arts Center (6/08-6/11)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Waiting for Godot
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (9/13-10/01)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Something Rotten
Music Mountain Theatre (5/26-6/18)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Jersey Four and Johnny Maestro’s 16 Candles
Sieminski Theater (6/10-6/10)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Season Finale with Joshua Bell
Count Basie Center for the Arts (6/10-6/10)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You