Tectonic Theatre Project, BAM, Lincoln Center Theatre & More Named Tony Randall Theatrical Fund Grant Recipients

Since 2006 The Tony Randall Theatrical Fund has distributed over $1Million to more than 50 companies. This year the Fund has announced that it will award general operating support grants to nine exceptional theater companies with a proven track record of artistic excellence and ambitious, mission-driven theater-making. Special consideration this year was given to companies committed to the development of new audiences and the production of relevant work with a social conscience.

With a grant to both the Tectonic Theatre Project and the Brooklyn Academy Of Music, TRTF applauds their Winter 2013 presentation of THE LARAMIE PROJECT. Originally produced in 2000, Tectonic’s documentary drama continues to raise important questions about homophobia, bullying, and human rights. As BAM celebrates its 150th anniversary, TRTF celebrates the performing arts center’s commitment to bringing compelling theatrical work to new audiences.

Lincoln Center Theater, demonstrates their commitment to cultivating a new generation of theatergoers with the creation of LCT3—a new space for emerging theater artists to present adventurous new work to an audience of their peers at accessible $20 ticket prices.

TRTF is also proud to honor Pregones Theater for their role as truly community-focused neighborhood theater in the South Bronx—presenting meaningful, entertaining and resonant live performances for Spanish-speaking audiences for over 3 decades.

Red Bull Theatre continues to produce remarkable heightened-language plays from the Jacobean era, bringing forth the relevance and vitality of long-neglected works for today's audiences.

Meanwhile, Playwrights Horizons continues to champion the American playwright by presenting first-rate productions of new works, and actively working to bring young audiences into the theater by offering deeply discounted tickets for students and theatergoers under 30.

By awarding Elevator Repair Service its third operating support grant in four years, TRTF celebrates our enthusiasm for ERS as a truly exciting and innovative company with a remarkable capacity for re-inventing theatrical forms.

In general, the NYC-based foundation limits grant-giving to theater companies located in the city and the tri-state area, but every once in a while, there are theatrical organizations doing such significant work outside this region that they are awarded a special grant. In this spirit, TRTF is pleased to recognize the Rude Mechs (Austin, TX) for the incredible energy and originality of the company’s ensemble-created works which continually strive to engage the audience in new ways.

We also wish to honor the Actors’ Gang Prison Project (Los Angeles, CA), which mounts entertaining, meaningful, and socially relevant classical Theater Productions inside the L.A. prison system-- rehabilitating and empowering California prisoners in the process.

Since 2006, the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund grants recipients have included The Civilians, Elevator Repair Service, LAByrinth Theater Company, Repertorio Espanol, The Atlantic Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, The Flea Theater, The New Group, Signature Theatre Company, Vineyard Theatre, Red Bull Theatre Company, New York Theatre Work Shop, The Actor’s Center, The Actors’ Fund of America, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Brooklyn Academy Of Music, The Drama League, Elysium Between Two Continents, Ethical Culture Foundation, Guggenheim Museum, Manhattan Theatre Club, Martha Graham Dance Company, Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre, New Victory Theatre, New York International Ballet Competition, Paper Bag Players, Raleigh Charter High School, Rent 10, Starworks Foundation, VOICE Experience Foundation, Voice Foundation, Playwrights Horizons, The Wooster Group, St. Ann’s Warehouse, PS 122, New Georges, Pig Iron Ensemble, Pergones, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, McCarter Theatre Center, O’Neill Center, Signature Theatre Company, Lark Play Development Company, Epic Theatre Ensemble, Siti Company, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Soho Rep.

For more information on the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund and the Tony Randall Grant please visit the web site at www.tonyrandalltheatricalfund.org.