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Who We Are

Vivid Stage is a professional yet intimate theatre company in residence at Oakes Center in Summit. Our year-long season includes plays, improv comedy, new play readings, and a summer youth program, along with many outreach and education programs for youth, adults and seniors.

 

As you attend our performances throughout the season, you’ll get to know our talented Resident Acting Company, a tightly-knit ensemble who embody the uniqueness and excellence of Vivid Stage.

 

 

What We Do

 

We believe our purpose is to make the world a happier, more compassionate and loving place with the power of our storytelling. And we believe in the importance of creating a nurturing, supportive environment for artists to do their best work. We are working hard to make sure that our theatre is welcoming and accessible to everyone, and that anyone entering our doors will feel truly at home.

 

Our History

Our company, originally named Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, began performing in the summers only for four years, renting Luna Stage and 12 Miles West in Montclair.  We were then offered the opportunity to move to Bloomfield College, an exciting proposition that would allow us to produce nine months of the year.  After four years there, we were thrilled to relocate in 2003 to the Baird Recreation and Cultural Center in South Orange, an intimate theatre space in the heart of a very supportive town.  Nine years later, we had outgrown the space and sought a larger venue that would still allow us to retain the close contact with our audiences that we value.  In 2012, we found a new home at the Oakes Center in Summit, and in 2021, changed our name to Vivid Stage. We are an Equity Producing Theatre of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the coalition of the state’s professional theatres.  Through our world premiere and New Jersey premiere productions, our dedication to artists and our connection to our community, Vivid Stage is a significant part of the arts landscape of Northern New Jersey.

Mayor Ellen Dickson cut the ribbon held by Dreamcatcher's board president, Diane Gallo and Dreamcatcher's artistic director, Laura Ekstrand.
Welcome to Summit cake.

Ribbon Cutting, 2012

Oakes Center Summit.

Emptied dressing room at Baird on moving day to Oakes Center, Summit.

Emptied dressing room at Baird on moving day to Oakes Center, Summit.

Chronology of
Mainstage Shows

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016- 2017

2015- 2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

  • Next Fall

  • Shooting Star

  • Blood: A Comedy

2010-2011

  • This

  • Distracted

2009-2010

  • The Pursuit Of Happiness

  • Parallel Lives: The Kathy & Mo Show (revised edition)

2008-2009

  • You Miss Them When They’re Not Around

  • The Great God Money

2007-2008

  • Wonder Of The World

  • Melancholy Play

2006-2007

  • Expecting Isabel

  • Pride’s Crossing

2005-2006

  • Match

  • Full Bloom

2004-2005

  • Laughing Wild

  • Old Friend

2003-2004

  • Anton In Show Business

  • Resident Alien

2002-2003

  • The Laramie Project

2001-2002

  • Painting Churches

  • The Mystery Of Irma Vep

  • Brink Of Life

2000-2001

  • Crumbs From The Table Of Joy

  • Three Days Of Rain

  • Fuddy Meers

1999-2000

  • The World Goes ’Round

  • As Bees In Honey Drown

  • Love, Hate, Friendship, Marriage

1998

  • Parallel Lives: The Kathy & Mo Show

  • A Life In The Theatre

  • Whatever Will Be

1997

  • Baby

  • Wall Of Water

1996

  • Personals

  • All In The Timing

1995

  • Love… Or Whatever

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