MEET THE TEAM

Lawrence Dandridge

CO-FOUNDER, CREATIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Veronica Gonmiah

CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR OF ART & MEDIA
Marcus Beckett

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS

Lawrence Dandridge

Co-Founder & Creative Artistic Director

is a Newark-based multi-faceted artist. A performer first, Lawrence has a long list of professional credits headlined by his role as Smokey Robinson/Damon Harris in the first National Broadway Tour of Ain’t Too Proud : The Life And Times of The Temptations. A proud member of Actor's Equity Association, he is currently starring in the new off Broadway Musical, ROCK AND ROLL MAN at New World Stages in NYC. He has produced and directed concerts, workshops, readings, and full productions of his original musicals and arrangements throughout New Jersey, New York and California. His debut single "Hard To Tell" is streaming on all listening platforms with an E.P. not too far behind.

As a teaching artist, Lawrence is a professional vocal coach for students and young professional artists, as well as one of the resident choreographers for Vanguard Theater Company, having choreographed VTC's: Heathers, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wiz of Oz, Shrek, Zombie Prom, Little Women, Songs For A New World, Next To Normal, Passing Strange and Spring Awakening. Lawrence is most excited to continue his pursuit of playwriting and composing his own original work while also performing full-time. As the Co-Founder/Artistic Creative Director of Aurway Repertory Theatre, Lawrence continues to create spaces to highlight the experiences of people of color with a growing repertoire. His award winning musical Something Like A Fairytale is among many that have been featured at the New York Summer Theater Festival as well as the National Black Theater Festival, with a full theatrical soundtrack streaming on all listening platforms. Other productions include RED! - A new Musical, What Comes Next?, Coming Home, and Life Through My Eyes which is currently touring through select Newark Public Schools as a part of Aurway's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative, The Dear Life Project. As a product of Newark's rich art's education initiatives such as NJPAC's Young Artists Institute, Diversity Youth Theater, and African Globe Theatre Company's residency with Newark Symphony Hall (in the early 2000s), as well programs like Mic It Up and Newark Idol, Lawrence eagerly wanted to bring a creative space geared towards the creation and presentation of culturally relevant art to the city. And thus. Aurway was born. Making Art... our way!

@that_musicman

LDandridge@aurway.org

Marcus Beckett

Director of Programs and Partnerships

(Director of Programs and Partnerships) a Native of East Orange, NJ, is an artist, educator and community curator serving throughout NJ. As an actor/singer, Marcus has spent time on stage at several theaters across the Tri-State Area, including the NJ Performing Arts Center, Classical Theater of Harlem and the Apollo. Marcus has worked with several NY arts education organizations helping to develop and implement Arts programs and community arts events. He is also presently an Associate Producer in the Community Engagement department at NJPAC where he maintains, develops and nurtures relationships with several partnering organizations, artists and collectives providing free artistic experiences and programming for diverse communities across the state of NJ.

MBeckett@aurway.org

Veronica Gonmiah

Co-Founder & Director of Art and Media

Veronica, a devoted Liberian-American artist, centers her life around creating cultural pieces that transcend boundaries and celebrate life in its entirety. Proudly from Newark, NJ, and an Arts High School alumna, Veronica's artistic journey is marked by commitment and versatility.

In her photography career, Veronica collaborates with local artists, capturing their uniqueness in high-quality headshots and photo experiences. Her work has graced exhibits along the east coast, making a lasting impact on the artistic community.

Beyond photography, Veronica's drawings and paintings have been featured in short films, published works, and on stage. She made her Off-Broadway debut in 'Mistresses: An American Play' at TheatreRow. As a director, she led Aurway's first full production, 'Something Like a Fairytale.'

Veronica authored and illustrated 'Whispers of Jubilee,' now a staged presentation. Behind the scenes, she contributes to set design and painting for musical productions and film/TV projects. She's also involved in stage and production management, with administrative roles dating back to 2015 at the Park Performing Arts Center.

Driven by a commitment to democratize art, Veronica aims to extend her goals to Liberia, where the privilege of artmaking is often hidden behind life's necessities. In graphic design, she collaborates with companies to create social media content and enhance their brand identity.

Veronica's journey is grounded in dedication, breaking down barriers to make art accessible to all.