W. O. Resident Explores Creativity and Mental Health on 4/19/21

VIRTUAL GROUP - JOIN US MONDAYs at 5 p.m. Host Lynette Sheard, Director of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's New Jersey Mental Health Players, explores mental health and creativity on her weekly webinar, "Why the Show Must Go On." the webinar is designed to encourage, inspire and support creative communities through insightful interactive discussion and an interview with a special guest from the performing arts community. Zoom in or watch on Facebook Live on the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's Facebook Page for an excellent opportunity to gain valuable information and share collective wellness tips for maintaining emotional well-being. Zoom Meeting ID: 845 9463 4675 Password: 959767 (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84594634675?pwd=Wi9HdWVBYnBaRXdtanZBZFMxN0VIUT09)

Please join Lynette on 4/19 at 5pm when she welcomes special guest Daryl Stewart.

Daryl Stewart is a multidisciplinary actor, director, producer, and educator. His diverse professional experience sets him apart as a versatile visionary and creative leader across the worlds of theatre, arts & culture, and community. A proud New Jersey native, Stewart's work as an actor includes memorable roles in Five Guys Named Moe, My One and Only, Ragtime, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wild Party, Leader of the Pack, Carousel, Into the Woods, Oliver Twist, Disney's Aida and New York productions of La Strega, Step Show (NYMF) and Revolution (Robert Moss Theater). TV/Film credits include Lipstick Jungle (NBC), School Spirits (SYFY). This winter, Stewart starred as Preacher Oedipus in the film adaptation of the musical The Gospel at Colonus.

As a theatre maker and producer, Stewart's directing and choreography credits including productions of 13 The Musical, Simply Simone: The Music of Nina Simone, Step Show: The Musical, Hear Her Roar: An Evening of Performance Art, The Amen Corner, Once On This Island, Disney's The Lion King Experience, Guys and Dolls, Seussical, High School Musical, Once Upon A Mattress, Curtains, Into The Woods, Annie, Step Show: A New Musical, Hairspray, Son Of God, Black Broadway: A Musical Review and This Wonderful Life. His new children's musical series AN INCOMPLETE HISTORY OF BROADWAY is available on the streaming platform vala this spring. His I.G.T.V. dance series, DANCING THROUGH THE PANNY has garnered thousands of views, likes, and shares.

Stewart's notable work in arts education at NJPAC includes working with the Johnny Mercer Musical Theatre Writing Program, a five-school theater residency focused on musical theater script and songwriting, and the internationally recognized Disney Musicals in Schools program. He also collaborated with EMMY award winner Ray Chew staging The Spotlight Gala performance - one of the nation's largest live events.

Stewarts speaking engagements have included lectures, panels, and performances at Williams College, MASS MOCA, Shepherd University, Monmouth University (Conference on Race), East Side High School, Cicely Tyson School of the Performing Arts, RISE Academy, Paulo Freire Charter School, North Star Academy, Academy of the Performing Arts at UCTVS, The Pingry School, Mary Help of Christians Academy, Burnet Middle School, Union High School, St. Benedicts Prep and Seton Hall University - School of Law.

Currently, Stewart is a resident director on Step Show: The Musical, a Broadway-bound musical about stepping and black culture. He currently owns and operates Daryl Stewart Productions/Stewart Ventures LLC., a black-owned and operated storytelling-focused production company. He is a proud Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He currently sits on several not-for-profit advisories and boards.

Education: New York University - SCPS/Gallatin/Tisch (BA/ Professional Certificate), Papermill Playhouse Conservatory & NY Conservatory for Dramatic Art. Stewart is the 2018 recipient of the Eulace Peacock Unsung Hero Award, an Urban League YP Honoree for the Arts, a recipient of the NYU Wasserman Award for Service in the Arts. He served as the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) leading programming and programs at Arthouse Linden, a pop-up arts incubation experiment in Downtown Linden. He co-founded Vanguard Theater Company with Janeece Freeman Clark in 2015.

To contact Ms. Sheard email: lsheard@mhanj.org.