Parity Productions Launches The Parity Store to Support Women and Transgender Artists

Parity Productions, the New York City Theatre Company dedicated to the hiring of 50% women and transgender artists (directors, designers and playwrights) on every production as well as active promotion of other theatre companies that do the same, has announced its newest initiative - The Parity Store.

The Parity Store is a first of its kind digital storefront that offers art, exclusive products and professional services - many at a discount to the industry and consumers.

"From strategic planning and social media consultations to website building, grammar wizardry, unique products and rare works of art, the Parity Store is a wide-ranging retail experience that will be beneficial to the industry and our audiences alike," says Ludovica Villar-Hauser, Founder and Artistic Director of Parity Productions. "The best part is that 10% of all proceeds from all our gifts and services on The Parity Store go toward The Annual Parity Commission for Women and Transgender Playwrights - our 10% Promise," she adds.

In concert with Parity's mission to see more women and transgender persons employed in the theatre, the company awards two commissions per year to women or transgender playwrights who have demonstrated a singular talent for storytelling. The selected playwrights receive $2,500 each and additional developmental support. Artistically, Parity develops and produces compelling new plays that give voice to individuals who rebel against their marginalized place in society. Teresa Lotz's She Calls Me Firefly and Gregory Murphy's Household Words are currently slated for 2017, while Cora Fry's Pillow Book by Rosellen Brown starring Paula Ewin and Village Stories by Antoinette Lavecchia continue in development.

Parity has created the store as an initiative that aims to create sustainability for Parity Productions - while giving back to artists. Villar-Hauser adds, "It's incredibly important that theatre companies in New York help to cement their own destinies - especially now. We are always grateful for the donations and grants we receive and we believe our unique array of offerings on The Parity Store will be a wonderful boon."

Among the unique gifts and features on the store is the work of the famed Welsh-born painter Sylvia Sleigh, whose estate donated more than sixty works of art to create the Sylvia Sleigh Endowment to Parity Productions in 2016. Sleigh's work hangs all over the world in private collections as well as in museums such as The Tate, The National Portrait Gallery in London, The Art Institute of Chicago and other major museums across the United States. "Sylvia was an ardent upholder of women's rights and values. We were thrilled to receive this gift of museum-quality work and to feature it on the Parity Store."

As a vital part of its mission, Parity Productions has several platforms aimed at
creating more opportunities and awareness for women and transgender artists in theatre: The Annual Parity Commission for Women and Transgender Playwrights, Support for Qualifying Productions and The Women and Transgender Artists Database.

Parity Productions is a 501c3, not-for-profit theatre company formed in 2016 by international award-winning director Ludovica Villar-Hauser. Parity Productions has its roots in two other previous not-for-profits: VH Theatrical Development Foundation and Works by Women.

For more information on The Parity Store, The Annual Parity Commission for Women and Transgender Artists, or any of Parity's productions or other advocacy platforms, go to www.parityproductions.org.

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