Tony Award Winner Lamar Richardson Visits Mountainside's Actors Camp

The gleaming Tony Award captured the attention of young performers at The Actors Camp in Mountainside on Monday. For the children holding it, the award represented a glimpse of a dream many hope to pursue through years of hard work, uncertainty, and perseverance. But the real lesson came from the person who brought it. Union County Life reports on the visit.

Lamar Richardson, a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, spent 30 minutes in conversation with campers and production team members. Guided by Camp Musical Director Jared Rosenblum, Richardson answered questions ranging from practical to deeply personal: how he got started, what it takes to win a Tony, the shows and films he appeared in, and whether he has regrets.

He spoke candidly about roles he accepted, opportunities he declined, and disappointments that shaped his path. His stories gave the campers a firsthand look at how talent, discipline, adaptability, and perseverance combine to build a lasting career.

When one child asked how he stays positive when things go wrong, Richardson pointed to faith. "I'm a person of faith. I'm a believer. Doors are open for a reason, and some doors will be closed for a reason." He described being in a stage production that Denzel Washington's team scouted for a film. He assumed he'd get a part but barely landed an audition. The disappointment was real, he said, but faith helped him believe that if an opportunity was meant for him, it wouldn't pass him by.

Asked about regrets, Richardson didn't shy away. Early in his career, he passed on jobs because the pay was too low or the role felt too small. "There was a time when I could have taken more risks," he said. He's since learned that a small role can put you in the same room as a director or collaborator who becomes a lifelong partner.

Richardson didn't start out chasing Broadway. He once considered law and turned down an investment banking internship to pursue acting. Discovering what didn't fit taught him as much as figuring out what did. During the COVID-19 shutdown, instead of waiting for auditions, he moved into producing, creating opportunities for performers stuck in the cycle he knew well.

When asked which three qualities contributed most to his success, Richardson pointed to mindset, adaptability, and resilience.

"Maintaining a positive mindset is essential. A career in the arts is filled with ups and downs, and you have to stay rooted in the belief that you're meant to be on this journey," he said. He emphasized the importance of flexibility: "You have to be flexible and not married to any particular idea of what your path will entail. The ability to pivot and remain open to new opportunities is essential."

On resilience, he said: "You have to be able to withstand a lot of rejection and have a staunch willingness to fail upward without ever giving up on your vision and dream."

Richardson encouraged the campers not to overlook the people growing alongside them. "Never underestimate that," he said. "Many times, when you get to a position like myself, you're calling your friends to hire your friends."

When asked what he hoped the kids would discover about themselves, Richardson was direct. "Everything that makes you special is your superpower. Whatever you feel insecure about, is exactly what makes you magical. You have to lean into that, and you have to trust it."

He also reminded them to remain present. "Enjoy every moment you have. Don't rush it."

The Actors Camp is currently producing performances of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "School of Rock."

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FAQ

Q: Who is Lamar Richardson?
A: Lamar Richardson is a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer who has worked as both an actor and producer. He appeared in stage productions and film projects, and moved into producing during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Q: What did Lamar Richardson tell the young performers?
A: Richardson shared lessons on resilience, adaptability, and maintaining a positive mindset. He spoke about facing rejection, learning from disappointment, the importance of early relationships and collaborations, and recognizing that personal qualities often become creative strengths.

Q: What three qualities did Richardson say contributed to his success?
A: Richardson identified mindset (staying positive through ups and downs), adaptability (remaining flexible and open to new opportunities), and resilience (withstanding rejection and learning from setbacks).

Q: What did Richardson say about rejection?
A: He acknowledged that rejection hurts but doesn't have to define a person's future. He shared that he once almost missed an audition for a film adaptation despite being in the original stage production. His faith helped him see rejection as redirection rather than failure.

Q: Did Richardson have any regrets?
A: Yes. Early in his career, he passed on smaller roles because he thought he deserved bigger opportunities. He later realized that small roles can lead to invaluable professional relationships and that the size of a role doesn't determine its value.

Q: What did Richardson say about relationships in the entertainment industry?
A: He emphasized never underestimating the people you work with early in your career. He noted that classmates and early collaborators often become the writers, directors, designers, and producers you work with later. "Many times, when you get to a position like myself, you're calling your friends to hire your friends," he said.

Q: What performances is The Actors Camp putting on?
A: The Actors Camp is currently producing "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "School of Rock."