Oregon Children's Theatre Receives Oregon Cultural Trust Grant

Oregon Children's Theatre is excited and honored to announce that it has received grants from both the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Oregon Arts Commission.

The Oregon Cultural Trust grant of $18,272 grant will support the company's production of Tomás and the Library Lady in its 2016-2017 season. In addition to a mainstage production in the Winningstad Theatre from April 1-23, 2017, OCT will create a version that can be performed at other sites, including underserved neighborhoods and rural communities. According to OCT's Managing Director, Ross McKeen, "One of our top goals is to remove barriers that keep too many children from accessing creative experiences."

Tomás and the Library Lady tells the true story of Tomás Rivera, the child of migrant workers who, through his strong belief in education, became an award-winning novelist and a nationally recognized educator. Unable to read English, Tomás was terrified of school. When his family heads north for the harvest, he finds refuge in the local library. A compassionate librarian opens his world and ignites his imagination through the joy of reading. The core themes of Tomás present opportunities to engage communities in conversation, and support OCT's goals of fostering a lifetime love of learning and literacy in young people.

Of the project, OCT's Artistic Director, Stan Foote, said, "I have wanted to produce this script for a long time in order to bring a more inclusive and diverse selection of plays to our stage." The project is a key element of OCT's vision of reducing barriers that block too many children and families in the region from opportunities to engage in the performing arts and arts education opportunities. The Oregon Cultural Trust's mission is "to lead Oregon in cultivating, growing, and valuing culture as an integral part of communities." OCT will support their mission by ensuring that underserved communities experience culture in the form of a play that emphasizes the importance of literacy.

The Oregon Arts Commission awarded a $16,825 operating support grant to OCT for 2016-2017. McKeen said, "Our annual support from the Oregon Arts Commission helps us carry out our mission of creating exceptional theater experiences that transform lives. We appreciate the Commission's vote of confidence in the quality of our work, and for understanding the positive impacts our programs have for Oregonians."

The Oregon Arts Commission's mission is to "enhance the quality of life for all Oregonians through the arts by stimulating creativity, leadership, and economic vitality." OCT supports this mission by bringing the theater arts to the community.

About Oregon Children's Theatre:

Founded in 1988, Oregon Children's Theatre (OCT) is Oregon's largest nonprofit professional children's theater company. OCT's mission is to create exceptional theater experiences that transform lives. OCT believes theater and storytelling can educate, empower, inspire, and entertain in remarkable ways. OCT annually reaches 120,000 children, parents, and educators from more than 18 Oregon and four Washington counties. OCT offers a year-round Acting Academy for students ages 3-18 and the unique Young Professionals mentoring program. The company also offers a range of services to schools and the community, including teacher professional development, resource guides, Loud & Clear (a public speaking workshop), an extensive outreach program, and student internship and apprenticeship opportunities. Under the shared vision of healthier kids and communities, Kaiser Permanente Northwest and OCT are delivering free Educational Theatre Programs to schools and community organizations in Oregon and SW Washington. Through free touring productions, residencies, workshops and after-school programs, this innovative collaboration helps catalyze healthy life choices. Oregon Children's Theatre is a resident company of the Portland'5 Centers for the Arts and a member of Theatre Communications Group, Travel Portland, and ASSITEJ, the international children's theater association.

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