ATW Announces TDF's Executive Director Victoria Bailey As Next Guest On Downstage Center

The American Theatre Wing has announced thatTheater Development Fund Executive Director Victoria Bailey is the next guest on their popular interview show, "Downstage Center." Hosted by American Theatre Wing Executive Director Howard Sherman, "Downstage Center" features weekly in-depthinterviews with the leading artists and professionals working on stage today.

Bailey's interview is available online and as a podcast beginning today (Monday, 9/14) through iTunes or an RSS feed. Click http://americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter to listen orsubscribe. Victoria Bailey talks about the newest icon of Broadway, the red steps of the redesignedTKTS Booth in Times Square, and talks about both how the lines at the booth have createda "town square for the casual theatergoer," as well as what TDF is doing to combat their discovery that many of the people lounging on the steps don't necessarily realize they canbuy discounted theatre tickets directly below where they're seated. She talks about herown career in theatre, from her early days taking classes and performing in Washington DC and Minneapolis to her nearly two-decade long tenure at the Manhattan Theatre Club;what drew her to TDF and what she hopes the organization can focus on in the comingyears; how TDF's subsidy program for theatre productions works; TDF's efforts tointroduce students to theatre, with particular attention to the Open Doors programcreated by Wendy Wasserstein and boasting mentors including William Finn and FrankRich; and identifies what she believes is perhaps TDF's least known but most influential program.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board ofDirectors; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of theAntoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League.In addition to "Downstage Center," The Wing sponsors many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre. These programs include"Working in the Theatre," a weekly television program on CUNY TV which gathers panels of theater artists to discuss their crafts; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video seriesdeveloped for schools and libraries; a grants program for New York City not-for-profittheatre companies, which has awarded nearly $3 million since its inception; the TheatreIntern Group, a career development program for young professionals; SpringboardNYC, atwo-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC; and theJonathan Larson® Grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists andbook writers. Visitors to americantheatrewing.org can listen to archive episodes of"Downstage Center," all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast and can view ordownload an archive of "Working in the Theatre" episodes.