Southern Rep Kicks-Off Challenge Grant Campaign

Aimée Hayes, Artistic Director of Southern Rep, joins Board of Directors President Dr. Bernard Jaffe in announcing the official kick-off of the region's premiere professional theatre's "Innovation SRT Challenge" to take place Saturday, September 18 at 8 p.m. at Southern Rep. Having distinguished itself as a powerful artistic force in the Gulf Coast Region, Southern Rep Theatre now seeks to move to the next level in servIce To its community by launching a two-year campaign to raise funds to stabilize and enrich the 23-year old theatre. For every two dollars donated through December 2010, the visionary BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION will match gifts to the theatre with one dollar, up to $100,000. A goal of $300,000 has been set for the Innovation SRT Challenge. Generous leadership gifts already received will be revealed and celebrated at this Saturday's kick-off celebration held on Opening Night of the regional premiere of Michael Hollinger's OPUS.

The "Innovation SRT Challenge" is the next stage of philanthropic development for the theatre as Southern Rep seeks to cultivate leaders dedicated to New Orleans' cultural economy and its preeminence as an arts-lovers' paradise. In meeting this call to action, new and increased donations from individuals, corporations and foundations will strengthen the theatre and its ability to provide contemporary professional theatrical productions of excellence. This vital support will be used to fund a new-play development space at SRT's new One Canal Place administrative home, upgrade the Mainstage space, pay down debt, and assure Southern Rep's future.

This grant is especially welcome at a time when the economic climate has so negatively impacted support for arts organizations. "As we all know, arts funding from government agencies and corporations has decreased sharply," Artistic Director Aimée Hayes states. "Many foundations have seen the value of their investments decrease, necessitating smaller and fewer grants. The BATON ROGUE AREA FOUNDATION'S commitment Southern Rep's Mainstage and educational programming at this critical time is testament to the company's artistic role in the region." The BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION, a community foundation with $530 million in assets, provides two essential functions for the capital region: connecting philanthropists with capable nonprofits to make sure the needs of our communities are met, and investing in and managing pivotal projects that can change the community.

For a donation of $500 to $2,500 supporters of Southern Rep can create a life-long relationship between themselves or their businesses and Southern Rep's mission to ensure that affordable, world-class premieres of innovative professional productions continue in New Orleans. Gifts will be acknowledged with a permanent plaque displayed in the lobby, designed by local artist Denice Bizot, bearing the name of the donor or loved-one. Individuals and businesses may contribute to this important match by submitting donations for the "Innovation SRT Challenge" online at www.southernrep.com or by mail to Southern Rep, 333 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. For further information, please contact Julie Hamberg, Managing Director, at 504-523-9857 or jhamberg@southernrep.com.

Southern Rep is located at The Edge of the French Quarter on the 3rd floor in the Shops at Canal Place. In its intimate 144-seat theatre, SRT produces an eclectic mix of bold world and regional premieres featuring the best professional artists from NOLA and beyond while making this high-caliber theatre affordable to the most diverse audiences. Southern Rep has produced 22 world premieres, among thEm Local playwright John Biguenet's SHOTGUN and RISING WATER. Garnering the Governor's LOUISIANA ARTS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ARTS ORGANIZATION in 2007, the theatre has consistently earned outstanding critical and community support since its new direction in 2002. Last season the Times-Picayune used words like "extraordinary," "audacious," and "stunning" to describe the theatre's productions while two productions has to be extended to meet audience demand.

Southern Rep's mission is to "develop and produce new plays, to provide SRT's audience with professional theatre of the highest artistic quality and achievement, and to establish a creative working environment that nurtures theatre professionals. As New Orleans' premiere professional theatre, Southern Rep strives to use the artistry of theatre to enlighten, educate, and entertain audiences, and aims to extend that servIce Through educational and outreach programs."

 

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