McCarter Theatre Receives Gift from Charles Evans Foundation

McCarter Theatre Center is grateful to be among the many organizations to benefit from the generosity of the Charles Evans Foundation. The Foundation recently presented the Theatre with a significant contribution to endow a new Charles Evans Fellowship as part of McCarter's nationally renowned theater internship program.  The gift will help support McCarter's longstanding commitment to training and nurturing the next generation of theater leaders.
 
Charles Evans, in whose memory the Foundation was established, was an extraordinarily accomplished man who held a deep commitment to serving and empowering others.   During his lifetime, he launched the Evan-Picone fashion label, established a highly successful commercial real estate business, produced several movies (including the Oscar-winning film, Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman), served as the National Director of the Alzheimer's Association, and was the founder the Crusade for Fire Detection.
 
According to Linda Munson, president of the Charles Evans Foundation, "Charles embodied the maxim 'live every day to the fullest.'  His zest and passion for life spilled over into everything he touched.  I know he would be pleased that his foundation is helping to improve and empower lives in such meaningful ways, and I am certain he would be extremely proud of the talented young people who will be honored as a Charles Evans Fellow at McCarter for years to come."
 
"McCarter's intern program is incredibly important to me and to the National Theatre scene" emphasized Artistic Director Emily Mann.  "I cannot thank Linda Munson and the Foundation enough for the significant investment they have made in it.  Our interns are among the nation's most promising young artists and leaders, and we are proud to be able to provide them with the tools, experiences and connections they need to lead the American theater in the future."
 
The first McCarter intern to be recognized as a Charles Evans Fellow is Garrett Ayers, a Directing Intern for the Theatre's 2010-2011 season.  "The benefits of an internship like this are potentially life-changing," said Ayers.  "As a Charles Evans Fellow at McCarter, I will be able to connect my passion for the theater with the practical experience of working with supremely talented theater professionals. It really doesn't get much better than this."