KINKY BOOTS & ANNIE Earn Education Grants from Broadway League

The Broadway League has awarded coveted New York Education Grants to the Broadway productions of Annie by Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse and Thomas Meehan, and Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper. Each production receives a $5,000 grant towards its 2013 educational initiatives. The grants aid the growth and development of theatre education in the city as they encourage Broadway productions to create more opportunities for young people and to exchange ideas about education.

The Broadway League established the New York Education Grants in 2002 to recognize education initiatives and to support further programs for Broadway shows. As the national trade organization for the commercial theatre industry, the League also sponsors a grant program supporting educational programs for Touring Broadway productions. The two programs combined have to date awarded over $850,000 to theatres in New York and across the country. Both grants were established by the League with generous additional financial support from Theatre Development Fund.

"Striving to ensure professional and personal development, The Broadway League is proud to award Annie and Kinky Boots with the 2013 New York Education Grants," said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. "Our goal is to enhance the education of students regarding all things Broadway, while also cultivating diversity and inspiring audience development."

The Annie Education Initiative is teaming up with Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21) with support from the Department of Education to bring Annie and theatre education directly to New York City public schools. Annie and CAP21 will bring 1,000 4th-8th graders between February and June of 2013 to two hands-on workshops in which the students will be introduced to the basic skills of acting, singing, dancing and their application to the rehearsal of a performance work. The students will attend two matinee performances and afterwards participate in a talk back session led by teaching artists and the cast and creative team of Annie. This will give the children a rare opportunity to ask questions to working professionals and to be introduced to different careers within theatre arts.
Kinky Boots

Broadway's Kinky Boots is partnering with Cyndi Lauper's foundation The True Colors Fund and The Door Community Center to create a sustainable youth program that empowers underserved youth (LGBTQ and allies) in the tri-state area to learn about and immerse themselves in career opportunities that exist in the theatre industry. Prior to April 4th the 'Raise You Up' Community will provide selected young people with a holistic day of shadowing professionals in all areas of the theatre world. Attendees will finish their day with the chance to experience their first Broadway show that evening.

The Broadway League, founded in 1930, is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League's 700-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers who present in nearly 200 markets in North America, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit BroadwayLeague.com, or follow The Broadway League on Twitter @TheBwayLeague or on Facebook at facebook.com/BroadwayLeague. Download the free ILoveNYTheater app and free IBDB app for iPhone, iPad, and iTouch on iTunes.

Broadway theatres are filled with an exciting array of new and classic musicals and plays, providing the perfect experience for every audience. Great seats are available at every price point and are easy to buy online, by phone, or in person at theatre box offices. It's always the perfect time to see a show. Broadway performs every day of the week at multiple curtain times to accommodate every schedule.

The Broadway League annually presents the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry, with The American Theatre Wing.

For further information on the New York Education Grant recipients, call Rachel Reiner at (212) 703-0215 or email rreiner@broadway.org.