ABOUT VANTAGE THEATRE

Vantage offers you a new way of experiencing theatre, a new "Vantage" point on the classics and experimental theatre. Our gypsy company likes to match the play with the space. This site-specific producing is both challenging and rewarding. We are able to bring a theatrical experiencewhere none had existed before.

Vantage Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre dedicated to presenting new theatrical works of the highest caliber.

Recent successes include the critically acclaimed production of Frankie and Johnny in The Clair de Lune, directed by D.J. Sullivan and Cocteau's The Wedding on The Efffel Tower, directed by Artist In Residence Robert Salerno. Salerno's production of this surrealist farce was hailed by critics and audiences alike for its keen wit and its stunning visual impact. The entire production (including sets, costumes, body painting, and masks) took on the look of a cubist painting by Picasso. The show was honored by Playbill.com with a 2003 "Billie" Award-- San Diego's version of the Tony.

Audiences may remember some of our recent site specific events: a world premiere workshop production of ORPHEUS ROX, resident playwright Robert Salerno's rock n roll version of the classic Greek Myth. The story is set in the 1960's with Orpheus as a rock star. Vantage presented this multimedia epic, with a cast of over 22 and innovative non-traditional staging, at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park. It received great reviews in both the local and national press, and was named "Critic's Best of '99"

ARTERY, where audience members become the main character set in a unique walk-through theatre experience was set at Belmont Park.

Vantage was also instrumental in the creation of the Small Professional Theatres Equity code and was the first theatre to put the contract in practice providing local Equity actors a legal venue to showcase their work. Eight Equity actors were employed in Vantage's original musical adaptation of The Importance Of Being Earnest. This audience pleasing romantic comedy was a hit and has been reprised on several occasions. Drama Logue deemed it an excellent musical adaptation.

Other noted productions include:

The multimedia adaptation of Man of La Mancha reflected present day issues between the immigrants and the border patrol, the impossible dream and the Inquisition revisited.

Two by O'Neill, The Butterfingers Angel, Harriet Tubman- A Woman Called Moses, On the Ledge, and Who's Afraid of Agatha Christie?

In a more commercial vein, the Scottish musical drama MacGregor written by Vantage Theatre's Artistic Director Dori Salois, Executive Director Jack Barefield and writing partner Nanci Hunter went to London for a workshop held at Tricycle Theatre.

In addition, Vantage has outreach programs near and dear to us. Classroom Classics is a series of literary and historical plays that tour city schools and community centers, and our apprenticeship program with Hoover High School is vital and thriving.

History

Vantage theatre, a division of NewWorks Theatre has a 19-year history creating, adapting and producing theatre in San Diego. Jack Barefield, our founder, Broadway Playwright, and Executive Officer strongly believes in keeping theatre vibrant. He worries about the graying of theatre audiences. As he turns 91 himself this year, still active, still writing (with two books soon to be published) and overseeing the theatre's daily functions, he encourages us to continue to create theatrical experiences to reach new audiences in new and challenging ways.

The educational outreach programs of Vantage have nine Classroom Classics titles and will be adding three more next season. “Our outreach programs and apprenticeships are of primary importance to us. We are always seeking new ways to bring the universal values of a live theatrical experience to young audiences,” said Salois. This non-profit operation has been quite a success. Ongoing funding, however, is continually needed to keep the program going, and tax-deductible donations are always gratefully accepted.