Alley Cat Theater's John Greiner-Ferris Awarded Two Grants for New Play

The Bob Jolly Charitable Trust and Vermont Studio Center recently awarded Alley Cat Theater's founding artistic director John Greiner-Ferris grants totaling $2,700 in support of a month-long residency in January 2018 at Vermont Studio Center, where Mr. Greiner-Ferris will be working on a new play.

The Bob Jolly Charitable Trust Grant awarded Mr. Greiner-Ferris $1,000, and the Vermont Studio Center $1,700.

"My family and I couldn't be more grateful for the financial support the Bob Jolly Charitable Trust and Vermont Studio Center are giving my work," Greiner-Ferris said. "The Bob Jolly Charitable Trust's support of small theaters and individual theater artists in Boston lessens the financial burden of creating new plays and allows theater artists like me to work with less worry about finances.

"And this is the second time the Vermont Studio Center has supported me. VSC is fertile ground for creating, and the time I spent there last January was some of the most productive I've ever had."

Every month at Vermont Studio Center at least 50 artists from around the world are provided studio residencies in an inclusive international community in the tiny mill town of Johnson, Vermont.

"My approach to theater is more like that of a sculptor," explains Greiner-Ferris. "I first see a 3-D space, and then like a painter I see light and color. It's only later that I populate the space with characters. To be able to work and eat and live side-by-side with painters, sculptors, painters, photographers, metallurgists, along with poets, fictions writers, and essayist, is exactly what fuels my work, and I am so happy and feel so lucky to be returning."

Alley Cat Theater Founded by playwright John Greiner-Ferris, Alley Cat Theater produces new work that is intelligent, compelling, and thoughtful, telling stories by pushing the boundaries of the theater. Visit www.alleycattheater.org for more information.

The Bob Jolly Charitable Trust was established in 2013 by the late Bob Jolly, a longtime Boston actor who was especially known for his interpretations of the Gilbert & Sullivan comic characters, and for his work as a historic interpreter on the Freedom Trail. Jolly's intention in setting up the Trust was to provide support for local theater artists pursuing their craft in the Boston area. Grants are made to small theater organizations and individuals, and the history of the Trust, and story of Bob Jolly's life, can be found on the Bob Jolly Community page on Facebook.

Vermont Studio Center Settled in an old water-powered mill town with a current population of 3,446, Vermont Studio Center (VSC) was established by artists in 1984. It hosts over 50 artists per month, turning the mill economy into a culture-based economy for the town of Johnson. The campus includes 2-D and 3-D studios, writing studios, a yoga studio, meditation room, libraries, lecture hall for public events, two gallery spaces, and a communal dining hall. Go to www.vermontstudiocenter.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.