b"gional theater based in Mont-clairthathasrapidlymadea''name for itself. Clark has been instrumental in its rise: several ofthetheatersoriginalshows have transferred to New York; the theater has won numerous awards and grantsone of its primary funders is Lin Manuel Mirandas foundationand last year it was the only nonprofit in New Jersey to receive a grant FLEXIBLE 3, 4 AND 5 DAY PROGRAMSfromMichaelJordansBrand EXTENDED DAY HOURS 8AM-6PMfoundation, a grant focused on improving Black lives.INNOVATIVE AND PROGRESSIVE CURRICULUMLikeMirandasHamilton,IN A NURTURING AND STIMULATING ENVIRONMENTClarkintentionallycastsa BRAND NEW STATE OF THE ART FACILITYshow to add depth and socialJaneece Freeman Clark is the founding artistic director of the Vanguard Theater Company, a commentary.Sheobjectstoprofessional, regional theater based in Montclair.thetermcolorblindcasting. She says the world is not colorblind.wroteinherdirectorsnotes,how Instead, she deliberately casts certaineach character might experience them characters.Thisisnotjusttogivediffers based on their lived history. The young actors of color a chance to shinenarrative of this story takes on a few inlotsofdistinctroles.Itisaboutadditional layers with this in mind. At bringing the audience face to face withtimes, this might feel uncomfortable. I encourage you to lean into that dis- FRUMIE BOGOMILSKY - DIRECTORits prejudices and assumptions.MS EARLY CHILDHOOD SP.EDIn Spring Awakening, for example,comfort and allow yourself to experi- FOR MORE INFORMATION:she cast a Black character for the boyence this story from the viewpoint of973-763-7455 | WWW.KINDERGANPRESCHOOL.ORGwhostrugglestolearn,isostracizedmany different lenses.byhisteachersandeventuallycom- Likewise, in the theaters production mits suicide, because Clark wanted toof Music Man, Harold Hill was a Fili-shine a light on the Black boys whopino rapper and the mayor was a Black are treated in similar ways in schoolslesbian woman. And the town was com-acrossthecountry;shealsowantedposed of traditional and non-traditional the Black community to take a lookfamilies of all races and ethnicities.at depression and mental illness, twoWe really wanted to celebrate the subjects that are often taboo.vibrant tapestry of community, Clark Thoughmanyofthethemesinsays of that show. Thats so much of Spring Awakening are universal, Clarkwhatwedo.Whenyourelooking Vanguard Theater Broadway Buddy Mentorship Cabaret, Linedy Genoa and Tyler Matos.feature story /21"