1812 Productions Receives Recognition from The American Theatre Wing

1812 Productions is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of the one of the 2016 National Theatre Company grants awarded by the American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards.

This is 1812 Productions' second National Theatre Company grant, having been an inaugural recipient in 2010. Created by the American Theatre Wing to recognize and support the most promising emerging theatre companies, the 2016 grants for Initial Support are being presented to seven companies from around the country. Companies chosen to receive the grants 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.

"The quality of work that these remarkable theater companies produce is nothing short of inspiring," said Marva Smalls, Chair of the National Theatre Company Grants committee. "They further the conversations of issues important to their local communities."

This year marked the implementation of new guidelines, creating Second-Time Support grants which are being presented to five companies, including 1812 Productions. These 2016 grants will be distributed for general operating support to companies who have already received the National Theatre Company Grant in grant cycles occurring between 2010 and 2015. It is the American Theatre Wing's hope to provide additional support for companies who plan to advance their work in a significant way and have a strategic goal to build the organization's capacity to continue to innovate and create a more dynamic American Theatre and have described an actionable plan to achieve that goal.

"I am delighted to be honoring this year's selections for the National Theatre Company Grants, and for the first time ever awarding Second-Time Support grants to five companies that have previously been supported by this initiative," commented Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing. "The Wing remains dedicated to promoting excellence in theatre across the country, which these young companies have more than demonstrated."

1812 Productions' Producing Artistic Director, Jennifer Childs, says, "We are incredibly proud and honored to be recognized with such distinctive colleagues. To be included in such company is a great reminder about how much incredible work is being made, fostered and produced by young companies across the country. This recognition comes as we begin our 20th anniversary season and underscores the commitment we have made to bringing innovative comedy to our region as Philadelphia's all comedy theatre company."

More information about the National Theatre Company grants can be found HERE

Information about 1812 Productions is available HERE

1812 Productions was founded in 1997 and is the only professional theater company in the country dedicated to comedy. With a focus on devised and original works, 1812 Productions' mission is to produce theatrical works of comedy and comedic works of theatre that explore and celebrate our sense of community, our history, and our humanity.

The American Theatre Wing is dedicated to advancing artistic excellence and nurturing theatre's next generation: on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. For nearly a century, the Wing has pursued this mission with programs that span the nation to invest in the growth and evolution of American Theatre. Traditionally, the Wing has encouraged members of the theatre community to share their off-stage time and talent directly with the theatre audience at large--whether it was singing for the troops in the Stage Door Canteen of the 1940s, or sharing their stories on a podcast today. As the founders of The Tony Awards, the American Theatre Wing has developed the foremost national platform for the recognition of theatrical achievement on Broadway. Yet the Wing's reach extends beyond Broadway and beyond New York. The American Theatre Wing is now in a long-term partnership with The Village Voice to co-present The Obie Awards, off-Broadway's Highest Honor. The Wing also develops the next generation of theatre professionals through the SpringboardNYC and Theatre Intern Network programs, incubates innovative theatre across the country through the National Theatre Company Grants, fosters the song of American theatre through the Jonathan Larson Grants, honors the best in New York theatrical design with the Henry Hewes Design Award, illuminates the creative process through the "Working in the Theatre" program and media archive. Finally, the Wing supports theatre education opportunities for underserved young people and under-resourced public schools around the United States with the newly launched Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative. Visitors to AmericanTheatreWing.org can gain inspiration and insight into the artistic process through the Wing's extensive media collection, and learn more about its programming for students, aspiring and working professionals, and audiences.

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