Vanguard Arts Collective

07/12/2022

Hey everybody, long time no see.
VAC has been on a bit of a social media hiatus, but we're working on getting back into the full swing of things. We just wanted to let you know that Get Out Alive, the workshop production we were a part of at Steppenwolf back in 2019 and the film version that's been invited to over 10 film festivals, is about to open as a full production! And the TV news is talking about it! https://abc7chicago.com/get-out-alive-musical-chicago-nikki-lynette/12029415/

Be sure to check out Get Out Alive at The Den's Theater Bookspan Theater opening TOMORROW! Get your tickets at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35386/production/1077139

"I wrote 'Get Out Alive' about my su***de recovery," the musical's creator said. "So many of us deal with mental health issues and we think that we're alone, we think that it's the end, but it's not."

12/01/2020

Hey all,
Vanguard has been pretty quiet throughout the pandemic, but we've still been doing our best to work on some cool, thought-provoking stuff in the meanwhile! Over the summer, we had the privilege of working with Nikki Lynette on a film adaptation of her show, Get Out Alive. Check out this sweet trailer and get your tickets for the digital release at

A musical about depression.   Get Out Alive is a new afrogoth musical by artist Nikki Lynette that recounts her personal journey with mental health.After a sold-out run in Steppenwolf Theatre Company's LookOut Series, GOA has been reimagined for the internet. This exhilarating 4 episode series bl...

05/31/2020

To all brave enough to speak out and act against injustice, we see you, we hear you, we are with you.
Our members have and will continue to donate to the Chicago Community Bond Fund (https://chicagobond.org/donate/) and Black Lives Matter Chicago (https://www.blacklivesmatterchicago.com/donate/).
We encourage everyone who is able to do the same.

Make a donation to help us continue this important organizing work. All contributions are cherished and appreciated! paypal.me/BLMChi

04/14/2020

Here are our final selections for Impossible Fest 2020! (We know we said 6, but we just couldn't narrow it down any further.) As soon as we're all on the other side of this, we cannot wait to put these fantastic scripts on stage. Stay tuned for performance dates so you can join us as we do the impossible!

03/07/2020

Thank you to ALL 200+ Playwrights who have submitted to Impossible Fest! We are currently reading all the nearly 300 scripts sent in. Stay tuned for when we announce our selections on April 13th!

01/09/2020

Vanguard Arts Collective announces a call for scripts for their first IMPOSSIBLE FEST.

We are seeking up to six short plays (between 10 and 20 minutes) that someone at some point has told you would be impossible to stage. Our team of talented and creative designers and theatremakers will tackle the challenge to put together an evening of spectacular theatre.

We are looking for your imaginative, your fantastical, your impossible. The festival will be held in Summer 2020 in Chicago, IL. We are happy to accept submissions from across the country (and world!), but please be advised we are unable to provide travel or housing for selected playwrights. We will film the festival for archival purposes and are happy to provide playwrights with the file of their work.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Plays should fall within 10 - 20 minutes.
There are no restrictions on cast size, scope, or content of plays.
Plays may be previously produced or unproduced. Please note if your play(s) are produced or unproduced in your submission e-mail body.
Selected playwrights will receive a $40 honorarium for their work.
The selected plays will receive full production for up to four performances.
There is no fee for submission. Please limit your submissions to no more than 3 plays per playwright.
Due to the large number of submissions expected, we will only be able to contact those playwrights who we plan to move forward with. Semifinalists will be notified on or before March 30th, 2020. Final selections will be announced publicly on April 13th, 2020.
E-mail submissions in .pdf format to [email protected]. Please put “Impossible Fest Submission - Your Name” as your subject line.
Submissions will be accepted until February 28th, 2020 at 11:59 PM CST.
Any questions can be directed to [email protected].

01/01/2020

We're excited to announce our involvement with Nikki Lynette for her show Get Out Alive! Vanguard is branching out to help productions with their technical needs, and we are thrilled to have this show at Steppenwolf Theatre's LookOut Series be our first! Check out this press release about the show:

Get Out Alive is a new autobiographical musical by independent artist, actor, and activist Nikki Lynette. This afrogoth musical is equal parts raucous, tender, intelligent, and triumphant. Using storytelling, song, movement, visual media and a live DJ, Nikki’s offbeat approach to sharing her personal mental health journey shows that even when life leads us to a bad place, we can always make it out alive.

The show will make its Chicago debut as part of the LookOut Series – Steppenwolf’s performance series that presents the work of artists and companies across genre and form. Get Out Alive will premiere at the 1700 Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre Company on Jan. 30, 2020, and will run until Feb. 2, 2020. All tickets are $20 and seating is general admission.
Tickets can be purchased on the Steppenwolf website.

08/17/2019

One day away and one last sponsor! We'd like to thank Burke's Public House for donating a cool $40 dollar gift card for a raffle prize! Be sure to check out Burke's after Gaming with the 'Guard! tomorrow night!

08/15/2019

Here are the video games receiving top billing for Gaming with the 'Guard! this time around. What game are you most excited for!? (Harry Potter World Quidditch Cup is the obvious answer)

08/12/2019

Can't play video games without a TV, right? We'd like to thank BlackOak Technical Productions for the use of their flat screens and speakers. The Rock Band room is going to be bumping this time around at Gaming with the 'Guard!

08/08/2019

While you're in the neighborhood for Gaming with the 'Guard!, you could win tickets to Intrinsic Theatre Company's show "Now or Later" opening TOMORROW NIGHT in the adjoining theater to where our video game and board game extravaganza is going down. Isn't it great having cool neighbors?