Our Mission

Vanguard Arts Collective illuminates current stories through the dark and comedic. We spotlight the work of living artists (and welcome our audiences to get a little lit themselves). By exploring the bounds of technical design, sparking conversation is in our circuitry.

The tech crew running their
own company?
How does that even work?

LET'S FIND OUT!

Our Productions

Elevator Girl

by Donna Hoke

Directed by Adrienne Matzen

The Edge Theatre

January 11th - 27th, 2019

Scenic & Props Designer - Megan Chaney

Costume Designer - LaVisa Williams

Lighting Designer - Michael Goebel

Sound Designer - Steve Labedz

Projections Designer - Erin Pleake

Illustrations - John Shane

Intimacy & Violence Designer - Chloe Baldwin

Stage Manager - Kamren Smith

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Elevator Girl was never meant to be more than an urban legend, a sexual revenge fantasy created by Vanessa and her graphic illustrator boyfriend. But when the comic superhero unleashes her boyfriend’s darkest fantasies, as well as a flesh-and-blood copycat, Vanessa must stop EG in her tracks—with the truth.

​

A 2017 O'Neill finalist and a 2018 finalist for the Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship.

Featuring:

Vanessa - Alex Madda

Peter - Sean Wesslund

Richard - Alexander Utz

Get Out Alive

by Nikki Lynette

Directed by Roger Ellis

A Vanguard Arts Collaboration, part of the Steppenwolf Look Out Series

January 30th - February 2nd, 2020

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Assistant Director - Rebecca Blaich

Scenic & Props Designer - Megan Chaney

Costume Designer - Ziare Paul-Emile

Lighting Designer - Garrett Steinke

Mixing & Mastering - Matt Hennessy

Projections Engineer - Chris Owens

Stage Manager - Gianna Petrosino

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Vanguard Arts Collective provided technical support and assistance for the latest iteration of Get Out Alive, as produced by the American Music Theatre Project, and presented a Steppenwolf as a part of the Look Out Series.

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Get Out Alive is a multi-media performance event that deconstructs writer/performer Nikki Lynette's mental health journey. Through the lens of an afrogoth celebration of life service, this work revolves around themes of persistence and survival in the face of extraordinary odds.

For more information on the show, please visit http://nikkilynette.com/the-play

Featuring:
Nikki Lynette
Keeley Morris
Natalie Renee Savoy
DJ P1

by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb

Directed by Chris Owens

The Edge Theatre

June 30th - July 9th, 2017

Scenic & Properties Design - Megan Chaney

Costume Design - Hanna Wisner

Lighting Design - Michael Goebel

Sound Design - Joe Palermo

Stage Manager - Kaylee Roach

Assistant Stage Manager - Cody Perriset

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"Thank you all! Thank you for loving me so much." So ends the victory speech of 17-year old Tracey Ackhart upon her coronation as Miss Late Teen Colorado. The "loving," alas, soon ends. Days before the national pageant in Virginia Beach, Tracey disappears, hurling the rest of her family, whose lives until then had revolved around her, into disarray. Simultaneously satirical, witty, tender and unsettling, Colorado is a play about the dreams of a family, and the traps set to keep those dreams far, far away.

Colorado

Featuring:

Tracey - Kristen Alesia

Grace - Shelby Garrett

Ron - Brian McKnight

Travis - Matt Schutz

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DIRECTORS & COMPANIES

Got a project you're passionate about, but not sure you have the know how and connections to make it happen?

We specialize in making those resources a reality. We love a good challenge, so send your idea our way. If we think it meets the Vanguard standards, we'll work to get it onstage in the best form possible.

Send us an email through our Contact page outlining your idea, and how it meets the guidelines for a Vanguard Production, and we'll get back to you.

If you have an idea that's not a play, fantastic! Send it our way! We'd love to hear about it, and talk further.

PLAYWRIGHTS

We'd love to make any exciting new scripts a reality. We do not charge for any submissions, but ask that you follow the following submission guidelines:

Email us your script in its current form, with a short plot summary, a run-time estimate, and how your script meets the three guidelines for a Vanguard Production. Script submissions should be sent to VanguardArtsSubmissions@gmail.com. Subject Line should include Script Submission and your name.

ARTISTS

Interested in joining the Vanguard and working on future projects?

We're always looking for new collaborators and conspirators.

Send us your resume and information at VanguardArtsSubmissions@gmail.com and we'll get back to you if we have a position we think you'd be great for.

A Vanguard Production is...

1. Groundbreaking
finds a way to be decidedly out of the ordinary or unexpected

2. Inclusive

brings out a point of view that serves under-heard voices

3. Relevant

speaks to today's audience experience

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