Pippin at Vanguard Theater

Lawrence Dandridge (Leading Player) is excited to be back at Vanguard this sea- son. Previous Vanguard stage credits in- clude Passing Strange (Mr. Franklin/Joop/ Mr. Venus), Songs for A New World (feature pandemic film) and Two Gentle- men of Verona (Thurio). Recent profes- sional credits include Tick, Tick, Boom (Theatre Raleigh - Michael)!, Rock and Roll Man (off Broadway- Little Richard Cover), Ain’t Too Proud 1st National Tour (Smokey Robinson/Damon Harris), and Sister Act 2nd National Tour (TJ). Law- rence has choreographed countless Van- guard productions with favorites that in- clude Spring Awakening, Zombie Prom, Little Shop of Horrors, and Little Women. Proud Co-Founder of Aurway Repertory Theatre in Newark. @that_musicman

Dwayne Clark (Charlemagne) is a celebrat- ed actor, singer, educator, performance coach and motivational speaker. Dwayne has also had an extensive Broadway ca- reer. Most recently, Dwayne appeared in Shucked (Grandpa) and Paradise Square on Broadway. Dwayne has also appeared in the Tony and Grammy Award winning revival of The Color Purple, as well as in Spiderman Turn Off The Dark directed by Julie Taymor at the Foxwoods Theater in NYC. He was in the Tony award winning Broadway cast of In The Heights where he portrayed the character of “Benny” many times, and Cry Baby The Musical, in the role of “Dupree.” Other Broadway credits include: Urinetown The Musical, directed by John Rando; Smokey Joe’s Café under the direction of Jerry Zacks;, and Tarzan The Musical where he played ”Terk”, and also performed with Phil Collins on a promotion- al tour. For close to three decades he has graced Broadway, off-broadway, film, television national and international stages to critical acclaim. His passion for people and the arts have made him a versatile person and performer. Clark made his NY Opera Debut as ‘Sportin Life’ with New York City Opera in 2000. Shortly after, he portrayed the character in the Emmy Nominated Live at Lincoln Center broadcast of Porgy and Bess - the New York Times called him "a limber Tenor with athleticism and grace". Podcast: Inspirations by Dwayne. www.youth-motivator.com. Much Love to Vanguard for the opportunity to share this amazing work of art.

Lisa Cortney (Fastrada) is honored and thrilled to make her VTC debut! She is a classically trained ballerina, former FinTech sales exec, entrepreneur, and very proud momma of 3. After a twenty-year interlude, Lisa returned to NJ stages in 2022 and has since played some of musical theatre’s most notable “triple threat” roles, such as “Cassie” in A Chorus Line, “Charity” in Sweet Charity, “Linda” in The Wedding Singer and “Fastrada” in Pippin, which she is elated to resurrect with the brilliant team at Vanguard! Other recent credits include Elf the Musical (Emily) and Nine (Claudia). Lisa shares her love of dance and music as a private ballet coach and cycle instructor at Life Time. AAA&T, thank you with all my heart for your love, endless support, and encouragement to live my passion. @lisacortney

Janice Lynn (Berthe) is a familiar face to NJ/NY theater and TV circuits as well as Six Flags Great Adventure, and a National Tour- ing Company of Pippin, appearing (as Fastrada) in major cities along the coast from NY to LA. Among over 4 dozen lead- ing-lady credits are roles such as Aldonza/ Man of La Mancha, Reno Sweeney/ Anything Goes, Gladys Calhoun/Memphis, Velma Von Tussle/Hairspray, Bella/Lost in Yonkers, Eliza Doolittle/My Fair Lady, Ann Sullivan/Miracle Worker, Anita/West Side Story, Hannah/Spitfire Grill, Mona Kent/ Dames at Sea, and the Scarecrow/Wizard of Oz (NJACT nomination). Some TV/film credits include Person of Interest, A Fire in the Dark, Other People's Money, and Car- lito's Way. Besides performing, Janice has directed/choreographed over 60 play pro- ductions for both Belleville Theatre Arts Co and CDC Theatre. She is a retired national, state, and local “Teacher of the Year” recipi- ent, a Doctor of Math Ed, Dean, published author, recording artist, and grandmother of 8.

Janeece Freeman Clark (Founding Produc- ing Artistic Director/Director) most recent- ly directed the NY premiere of When We Get There at the York Theater. She serves on the musical theater faculty at Manhat- tan School of Music and adjunct professor of theater at Seton Hall University. As the visionary founding artistic director of Van- guard Theater, a prominent regional thea- ter nestled in Montclair, NJ, Janeece pas- sionately focuses on reshaping societal and cultural narratives through theater programming rooted in the principles of Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism, and Mentorship (DREAM). Under Janeece's direction, Vanguard Thea- ter breathes fresh life into mainstage musi- cal theater productions by offering audiences a unique perspective through metic- ulous attention to color and gender- conscious casting. Her recent re- envisioned productions of "Spring Awaken- ing," "Next to Normal," and "Spitfire Grill" took on new dimensions for casts and audiences alike. Vanguard's commitment to illuminating new voices shines brightly through their New Voices Festival, featur- ing works penned by underrepresented voices, fostering their growth and promi- nence on the Vanguard stage. Under Clark’s direction - Everything is Fine Until It's Not earned numerous awards at both the NY Fringe Festival and the United Solo Show Festival; her compelling piece, A Portrait of Ray, delving into the life of the legendary Ray Charles, continues to capti- vate audiences regionally and is in devel- opment for a NYC run; and Showtime with Shakespeare premiered at George Street Playhouse followed by two highly success- ful national tours. Janeece earned an honorable mention in the 2022 Tony Awards in recognition of Vanguard’s excellence in education and she was recognized in early 2023 as the recipient of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance Alum- ni Award. She also recently completed a short-term theater residency at her alma mater. Janeece serves on the executive board of the New Jersey Theater Alliance, a coalition of over 75 esteemed regional theaters across the state of New Jersey. She re- ceived her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and master's de- grees from Rider University/Westminster. @janeecefreemanclark1