Photo Flash: ATW's Grants Luncheon

The American Theatre Wing has announced the 10 recipients of its 2010 National Theatre Company Grants, who are the first group of theatres receiving ATW support following its revision of its long-standing theatre company grants program. This year's recipients are: 1812 Productions Philadelphia, PA, About Face Theatre Chicago, IL, Boise Contemporary Theater Boise, ID, Company One Boston, MA, Curious Theatre Company Denver, CO, The Flea Theater, Inc. New York, NY, Profile Theatre Portland, OR, Silk Road Theatre Project Chicago, IL, Synetic Theater Arlington, VA, and Triad Stage Greensboro, NC. The companies will be celebrated at a private luncheon at the Intercontinental Hotel Times Square on Monday, October 25th.

Grants for the 2010 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.

Grants Committee Chair Lucie Arnaz commented, "In a bold departure from our past grants giving program, the Wing decided to use our limited resources to bring national attention and acknowledgment to what we feel are some of the most inspiring and innovative theatre companies on our national landscape. Fewer grants for more money on a wider scale. It's a very exciting concept."

"The Board of Trustees of The Wing embraced our new granting program as a clear declaration of the organization's commitment to theatre across the country, not just here in New York," added Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

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, this year marks a significant change in the 53-year granting history 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 53 years. For more information on the ATW's National Theatre Company Grants, visit:

americantheatrewing.org/grants/. The application period for 2011 grants will open in the spring of next year.
"These grants are an affirmation of the fine work of these growing companies," said Howard Sherman, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing, "and, we hope, may have the added benefit of drawing more attention to them--from artists, from the press, and from other funders."

The American Theatre Wing Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Howard Sherman, 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.

For more information about all of the American Theatre Wing programs, go to americantheatrewing.org. ATW can be followed on Facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing and Twitter.com/TheWing and additional, unique video can be found at YouTube.com/AmericanTheatreWing .

Grants Committee Chairman Lucie Arnaz with Company One

ATW Trustee Lucie Arnaz & Honorary Chairman Angela Lansbury

ATW Grants Administrator Joanna Sheehan with the Synetic Theater and Silk Road Theatre Project

Members of Company One with Helene Peterson, Managing Director of the Boise Contemporary Theater

Members of Synetic Theatre with a member of Silk Road Theatre Project

ATW Board of Trustees Chairman Theodore S. Chapin with Triad Stage's Preston Lane & Richard Whittington

Jen Childs, Artistic Director of 1812 Productions

Bonnie Metzgar, Artistic Director of About Face Theatre in Chicago