VIDEO: Julie Taymor Creates World Theater Fellowship for Young Theater Directors

Renowned theatre artist Julie Taymor, whose production of THE LION KING is closing in on its 20th anniversary on Broadway, has announced the creation of THE JULIE TAYMOR WORLD THEATER FELLOWSHIP, which will support exceptional, young theater directors' travel to one of four areas of the world - Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East or Asia - in pursuit of cultural and artistic experiences and an expanded vision of world theater.

The goal is to provide opportunities for enterprising young theater directors to travel beyond comfortable western borders and expand their creative horizons to include styles and techniques, best experienced in direct dialogue and work with creative artists. It is the fellowship's hope that through independent travel to and dialogue with world theater artists, recipients will increase their creative capacity and return to enliven the American theater with new productions fueled by their expanded perspective of world theatre.

Each year, four applicants (between the ages of 21 and 29 years) will be selected to receive one-year travel stipends of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) to support their project initiatives in one of these four regions. Selection will be based upon the individual's demonstration of artistic excellence and resourcefulness, as well as her/his ability to articulate the potential impact of this grant upon future artistic growth.

Click the photo below for Julie Taymor's video explaining how her own travels and cross-cultural experiences enhanced her work as a theatre artist, and for more information on applying.