The first Montclair Theater Festival will take place in Glenfield Park, July 12.
Montclair’s Vanguard Theater Company, in partnership with The Essex County Board of Commissioners, will present a free, family-oriented Montclair Theater Festival at Glenfield Park in Montclair, July 12 from 1 to 6 p.m., with performances of “Shrek the Musical”; a one-hour version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; other short theatrical performances; children’s activities; food trucks; vendors, and more.
“We envision the Montclair Theater Festival as a place where everyone belongs — where professional artists, emerging talent, and community members come together to share in the joy of creativity,” said Vanguard Theater Company producing artistic director Janeece Freeman Clark in a press release. “It’s about celebrating the arts, activating our beautiful public spaces, and creating memories that reflect the vibrant diversity of Montclair.”
Here is the schedule. For information, visit vanguardtheatercompany.org.
1 p.m.: Excerpts from “Tuck Everlasting” (Vanguard Theater Company); “1776” (Offbook Productions); “Nine” (Chatham Community Players).
1:15 p.m.: “Education Spotlight” with excerpts from “13: The Musical” (StageWorks); “Alice by Heart” and “Chicago” (Vanguard Theater Company); “Anything Goes” (Villagers Theatre); “The Little Mermaid” (Gas Lamp Players); “Grimm Tales” (Studio Players).
1:45 p.m.: Luna Stage: Excerpts From the 2025-26 season.
1:55 p.m.: “Shakespeare’s Who’s on First?” (a variation on Abbott & Costello’s classic “Who’s on First?” routine using Shakespearean language) featuring David Foubert and Jay Leibowitz and presented by The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. See video below.
2:10 p.m.: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” presented by Vanguard Theater Company.
3:25 p.m.: Excerpts from “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” (Bergen County Players); “The Revision” (Pride Alliance of Passaic Country); “Bright Star” (Barn Theatre); “Honeymoon in Vegas” (Maplewood Strollers); “Alice by Heart” and “Hair” (Vanguard Theater Company); “Parade” (Roundtable Theater Company); “RED: The Musical” (Aurway Repertory Theater); “Fun Home” (Summit Playhouse). Also, NJSDA Improv Troupe.
4:30 p.m.: “Shrek the Musical.”
The rain date will be July 13.
_________________________________________
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
