American Theatre Wing Announces National Theater Company Grant Recipients

The American Theatre Wing has announced the recipients of its 2011 National Theatre Company Grants. This year's recipients are: Buntport Theater Company (Denver, CO), FUSION (Albuquerque, NM), Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company (San Diego, CA), Pig Iron Theatre Company (Philadephia, PA), Rude Mechanicals (Austin, TX), Synchronicity Theatre (Atlanta, GA), TheatreSquared (Fayetteville, AR), TimeLine Theatre (Chicago, IL), Transport Group (New York, NY), Watts Village Theater Company (Los Angeles, CA). The companies will be celebrated at a private luncheon on October 24th, 2011 in Manhattan.

Grants for the 2011 cycle in the amount of $10,000 each will be distributed for general operating support to these companies which, according to grant guidelines, have been in operation at least five, but not more than fifteen years, have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.

"For the second year in a row, our national grants committee was astounded by the breadth and depth of the work being done by non-profit theatre companies around this country. Vetting close to seventy companies, we were amazed that, just like last season, the final ten $10,000 awardees covered the entire span of the United States. From Philly and New York to Fayetteville, Albuquerque and Watts, CA., theatres were selected for their uniqueness, courage, creativity and inspiring programs developing new works, outreach and education," said Lucie Arnaz, Chair of the grants committee. "It's thrilling to me to prove, once again, that great theatre isn't just on Broadway between 40th and 50th streets, but that Broadway is a road that is 3,000 miles long."

"This is one more indication of the exciting energy that we are all feeling at the Wing," said Theodore S. Chapin. "I congratulate this year's 10 recipients and Lucie for her leadership of the grants committee."

"The National Theatre Company Grants Program allows the Wing to shine a light on companies doing innovative and artistically excellent work in cities and towns of all kinds all across the country," Heather Hitchens added. "We at the Wing are very proud to provide crucial support to these companies in recognition of their outstanding work to advance the art form of theatre."
The American Theatre Wing has long shown its dedication to not-for-profit theatres through its Theatre Company Grants Program. After many years during which eligibility was restricted to New York City companies, 2010 marked a significant change in the granting of The Wing, resulting from extensive review by the organization's Board of Trustees. The ATW Grants have distributed some $3 million dollars over the past 54 years. For more information on the ATW's National Theatre Company Grants, visit: americantheatrewing.org/grants/. The application period for 2012 grants will open in the spring of next year.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. In addition to the media programs "Downstage Center," "In The Wings," "Working in the Theatre," and a host of other online resources, The Wing sponsors many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre. These programs include the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC; and the Jonathan Larson® Grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers. Visitors to americantheatrewing.org can listen to, watch or download from ATW's extensive media collection, and learn more about all of its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences who want to learn more about the making of theatre.

 

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