Oregon Children's Theatre Receives NEA Grant

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced Oregon Children's Theatre is one of four Oregon theater companies (and 1,126 nationwide nonprofit organizations nationwide) to receive an NEA Art Works grant in 2015.

Oregon Children's Theatre is proud to be among such a stellar group of arts organizations receiving this national recognition, and congratulates its Oregon colleagues similarly recognized. This is the seventh consecutive year that OCT has received funding from the NEA for new play development-a strong testament to the NEA's recognition and support of the quality of OCT's work.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu reiterated the importance of supporting the arts: "These projects, from all over the nation, will make a difference in their communities. We know from experience as well as through hard evidence that the arts matter and these projects will provide more opportunities for people to learn, create, and experience the value of the arts in so many different ways."

The $10,000 NEA's Art Works grant supports OCT's New Plays Initiative through which the company commissions, develops and premieres new scripts for young audiences each year. This year's grant supports OCT's adaptation of Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space - the story of scaredy-mouse turned secret agent and his mission to save New Mouse City from villains in outer space. The play is based on the wildly popular book series by Elisabetta Dami, adapted by John Maclay. The show will run from January 16 through February 14, 2015 in the Newmark Theatre.

Since its original publication date in Milan in 2000, Geronimo Stilton books have sold over 115 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 45 different languages, by Italian based Atlantyca Entertainment, a multi-faceted entertainment company and the IP owners of the Geronimo Stilton brand.

"We are thrilled to receive renewed support from the NEA," says Ross McKeen, OCT Managing Director. "The grant funds make it financially feasible for us to develop and premiere new scripts. Moreover, the NEA's support also signifies that OCT's contribution to the field is recognized and respected nationally. We are confident that our premiere production of Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space is going to delight thousands of kids and their families and create lifelong memories."

Oregon Children's Theatre is one of four Oregon theater companies receiving grants from National Endowment for the Arts this funding cycle, including: Miracle Theatre Company ($10,000), Oregon Shakespeare Festival ($70,000), and Portland Playhouse ($15,000).

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