The Welders' Venturous Theater Fund Receives $10,000 Donation

The Welders-Washington's only playwrights' collective devoted exclusively to developing and producing new plays-has been granted $10,000 in general support by Venturous Theater Fund. The grant, which is open to applicants by invitation only, is offered to artists and organizations who create ambitious, challenging new work.

"To receive funding this early in our development is extraordinary," said Jojo Ruf, The Welders' Executive and Creative Director. "We're gratified that Venturous Theater Fund encourages and rewards theatrical experimentation and are extremely grateful for their generous support."

Established in 2012, Venturous Theater Fund supports theater-makers who take risks in creating, developing, and producing new works for the stage. Grants are disbursed via a donor-advised fund at the Tides Foundation on the recommendation of the Fund's trustees.

"Venturous Theater Fund is proud to provide seed money for The Welders," said Ben Pesner, Program Director, Venturous Theater Fund. "The Fund's trustees and I join in congratulating the five writers and their associates for making a bold leap with this innovative, playwright-centered model for theatrical production. We hope this initiative, as well as the work itself, inspires new thinking within the field, and encourages other artists to create opportunity for themselves and their peers."

Welders Artistic Director Allyson Currin acknowledges that the grant is the key to the Welders' future. "We're in rehearsal now for our first full production," she said. "Having this funding on hand as we move forward means the world to us. And it means that we'll be that much stronger as we head into our subsequent productions."

Along with Ruf and Currin, Welders playwrights Bob Bartlett, Renee Calarco, Caleen Sinnette Jennings, and Gwydion Suilebhan will write, develop, and produce new plays over the course of the next three years. After their three-year term is complete, the five playwrights will give The Welders' operations to a new generation of five playwrights.

The Welders' first production, Currin's The Carolina Layaway Grail will run March 22 - April 4, 2014 at The Atlas Performing Arts Center. Previews begin March 20, 2014. For more information, visit www.thewelders.org.