Philadelphia Theatre Initiative Awards More than $900,000 To 15 Theatres

The Philadelphia Theatre Initiative (PTI), a program of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, announced today grants totaling $938,111 to 15 theatres, presenting organizations and individual theatre artists in the Philadelphia region.

This year's grants range from a commissioned adaptation of Hemingway's great American novel The Sun Also Rises to the national premiere of Vaclav Havel's first new play since the time he was President of Czechosolvakia; from the Broadway tour of the Pulitzer Prize-and Tony Award-winning play August: Osage County starring acclaimed actress Estelle Parsons to local artist Karen Getz's comic ballet about neurotic robots, a new work to follow her sell-out production of Suburban Love Songs. Ten of this year's grants will support world premieres. Five awards went to individual artists.

The following projects have been awarded support: 1812 Productions; Arden Theatre Company; InterAct Theatre Company; The Kimmel Center, Inc.; New Paradise Laboratories; Painted Bride Art Center; Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe; Philadelphia Theatre Company; Pig Iron Theatre Company; The Wilma Theater; Madi Distefano; Sara Felder; Charlotte Ford; Karen Getz; and Thaddeus Phillips.

"We are impressed by the ambition and scale of these projects," said Fran Kumin, Director of the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative. "This year's PTI grants support a broad range of productions aimed at varied theatrical tastes. At one end of the spectrum, audiences will see a revered musical performed with a full orchestra and a large cast; at the other, experimental works created using multi-media and innovative green technology. We are particularly pleased to support five individual artists--a milestone for the Initiative and an indication of the artistry in our theatre community."

"We are proud to support this diverse array of projects that will bring high quality performances to local audiences," said Gregory Rowe, Director of Culture Initiatives and Deputy Director of the Philadelphia Program at The Pew Charitable Trusts. "In addition, PTI's grants conclude the 2009 annuAl Grant cycle at The pew Center for Arts & Heritage, which provided more than $6.6 million in funding to arts and culture organizations and individuals throughout the Philadelphia region."

 

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