Photo Flash: American Theatre Wing Honors Classical Theatre Company in NYC

Houston's Classical Theatre Company is one of only seven theatre companies selected nationwide in 2016 as first-time recipients of the American Theatre Wing's prestigious National Theatre Company Grant award. Scroll down for photos from Monday's award ceremony in New York City!

Created by American Theatre Wing to recognize and support the most promising emerging theatre companies, the 2016 grants for Initial Support are being presented to seven companies from around the country. Companies chosen to receive the grants 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.

This year marked the implementation of new guidelines, creating Second-Time Support grants which are being presented to 5 companies. These grants for the 2016 will be distributed for general operating support to companies who have already received the National Theatre Company Grant in grant cycles occurring between 2010 and 2015. It is the American Theatre Wing's hope to provide additional support for companies who plan to advance their work in a significant way and have a strategic goal to build the organization's capacity to continue to innovate and create a more dynamic American Theatre and have described an actionable plan to achieve that goal.

"The recognition from the American Theatre Wing is a tremendous honor," said CTC Executive Artistic Director John Johnston, "this grant will provide us with the funds necessary to expand our operation a bit despite the local difficulties many nonprofits are facing because of the current challenges in the energy industry - and subsequently many local funders. We are thrilled to garner national recognition not only for CTC, but for the Houston theatre community at large."

More information about the National Theatre Company grants can be found at americantheatrewing.org/program/national-theatre-co-grants, and for more about Classical Theatre Company, visit www.classicaltheatre.org.