NextStop Theatre Company Awarded Local, County & State Grants

The Elden Street Players have been awarded grant support from the Town of Herndon, the Arts Council of Fairfax County, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts for operations and activities related to the organization's transition to NextStop Theatre Company. Under the company's new business model, these funds will be utilized to help establish the company as the first and only major professional regional theatre, specifically focused on serving Northern Virginia's Dulles Corridor.

At the beginning of 2013, after nearly twenty-five years as an all-volunteer, community theatre in Herndon, Virginia, the Elden Street Players announced ambitious plans to reestablish the organization under a new, professional producing model. While the company will continue to maintain its status as a 501(c)(3), tax-deductible, not-for-profit entity, the organization will make major investments to improve and expand their activities and infrastructure.

Significant increases in costs will include the introduction of compensation for all actors, directors, designers, and technicians, the employment of a full-time Producing Artistic Director, and expanded production and marketing budgets. The company will also introduce several entirely new programs, including a summer cabaret series, educational outreach programs and camps for area kids and families, and a workshop series for new plays and musicals.

"We are building on a long tradition of equal dedication to community and quality," said Producing Artistic Director Evan Hoffmann. "It is our distinct honor and privilege to help bring an even higher caliber of theatre to this amazing community and we are thrilled that our town, our county, and our state have all offered their stamp of approval through these generous and important grants. "

The Town of Herndon and the Virginia Commission for the Arts have each awarded grants for general operating support to the organization for ongoing administrative and operational costs over the next year. The Arts Council of Fairfax County has awarded a one-time project grant to help fund NextStop's first professional production of "The 39 Steps", a comedic adaptation of a 1930's Alfred Hitchcock film.

The Elden Street Players will open "Caroline, or Change," their final production as an all-volunteer, community theatre on August 2nd. The musical features a book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and music by Jeanine Tesori and will run until August 24th. NextStop Theatre Company's inaugural production of "The 39 Steps" will open on September 26th and run until October 20th. For additional information on NextStop Theatre Company and the transition from community to professional theatre, go to www.NextStopTheatre.org.

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