TCG Reveils Round 2 Recipients of Leadership U[niversity] One-on-One Program

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) announces the 2014 Round 2 recipients of the Leadership U[niversity]-One-on-One program. Through the support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, grants of $75,000 have been awarded to six exceptionally talented early-career leaders from all areas of theatre for professional development via mentorships at a TCG Member Theatre, with an additional $5,000 honorarium for their mentor. The goal of this program is to strengthen the field by developing the individuals who are the core and the future of theatre.

"The opportunity for emerging leaders to work alongside established leaders over a sustained period of time is a powerful form of career development," said Teresa Eyring, executive director of TCG. "We've seen past One-on-One grantees go on to assume key positions at major theatres, and we look forward to tracking the journeys of this exciting new round of emerging leaders."

A total of $567,000 dollars was awarded to recipients in this round. In addition to the basic grants of detailed above, a $10,000 Opportunity Fund is made available for one or more of the following: outstanding student loans, supplemental activities, and/or life needs (i.e. health care, child or elder care, or other medical expenses). A Travel Fund of up to an additional $4,500 is made available for mentee and mentor travel.

One-on-One Grant Recipients:

Ryan Conarro will be mentored by Ping Chong + Company's (New York, NY) founder/artistic director, Ping Chong. Conarro's mentorship will span three areas of collaboration: artistic creation, community-engaged practice and organizational leadership.

Shana Cooper will be mentored by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's (Washington, DC) artistic director, Howard Shalwitz. Cooper will explore the artistic and administrative skills necessary to build and sustain a theatre that puts innovation at the forefront of the creative process.

Sara Kerastas will be mentored by Berkeley Repertory Theatre's (Berkeley, CA) director of The Ground Floor and resident dramaturg, Madeleine Oldham. Kerastas will gain experience working in arts leadership at a large institution that incorporates programming that activates values of diversity, inclusion and access.

Joanie Schultz will be mentored by Victory Garden Theater's (Chicago, IL) artistic director, Chay Yew. The mentorship will focus on the responsibilities of artistic directorship, including season planning, artistic development and management.

Jerry Tischleder will be mentored by Artists Repertory Theatre's (Portland, OR) artistic director, Dámaso Rodriguez. The mentorship will focus on administrative leadership and producing, while integrating works by ensembles, devising companies and multidisciplinary artists into Artist Rep's programs.

Dawn Monique Williams will be mentored by Oregon Shakespeare Festival's (Ashland, OR) artistic director, Bill Rauch. Williams will explore artistic direction at this large-scale classical theatre, immersing herself in artistic programming, casting, board and donor relations, as well as diversity/inclusion initiatives. She will also assist on mainstage productions.

The Leadership U[niversity] One-on-One Round 2 panel included Jesse Berger, Artistic Director/CEO, Red Bull Theater (New York, NY); María López De León, Executive Director, National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (San Antonio, TX); Amy Murphy, Managing Director, Arden Theatre Company (Philadelphia, PA); Oanh Nguyen, Artistic Director, Chance Theater (Orange, CA); and Jamie Warde, Production Manager/Technical Director, Dad's Garage Theatre Company (Atlanta, GA).

Leadership U[niversity] awards grants in two initiatives: One-on-One for early-career leaders and Continuing Ed for mid-career and veteran professionals. Learn more about the recipients and the program here: http://www.tcg.org/grants/leadershipu/.