TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Awarded $30,000 NEA Grant for New Works

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $30 million in grants as part of the NEA's first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $30,000 to TheatreWorks Silicon Valley for its New Works Initiative.

The Art Works category focuses on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and the strengthening of communities through the arts.

"The arts are for all of us, and by supporting organizations such as TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the National Endowment for the Arts is providing more opportunities for the public to engage with the arts," said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. "Whether in a theatre, a town square, a museum, or a hospital, the arts are everywhere and make our lives richer."

TheatreWorks embraced the entrepreneurial values of its home in Silicon Valley and codified its commitment to new works by launching the New Works Initiative in 2000. From inception to production, the New Works Initiative provides composers and writers the opportunity to develop their work and artistry by forming collaborations that shape exciting and dynamic new forms of theatre and with theatre with music with the support of the professional staff and resources at TheatreWorks.

"TheatreWorks is thrilled to receive such a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts," said TheatreWorks Managing Director Phil Santora. "This funding will be invaluable in helping us continue with our mission to develop new voices in American theatre."

The New Works Initiative is a unique program fostering the development of new works with an emphasis on musicals and plays with music. The Initiative incorporates all phases of the development process from readings and workshops to an annual writers' retreat, annual public New Works Festival, full productions of world premieres, and working second productions. Past participants include Andrew Lippa, Rajiv Joseph, Stephen Schwartz, Rachel Sheinkin, Marsha Norman, and Wendy Wasserstein.

"New work is the lifeblood of the American theatre, and it is the heartbeat of TheatreWorks," said Artistic Director Robert Kelley. "The NEA's commitment to the development of new work resonates throughout the country. We are immensely proud of its support for our New Works Initiative, annual Festival, and the distinguished writers and composers who participate."

The Broadway hit Memphis, which claimed the Tony Awards for "Best Musical," "Best Score," "Best Book," and "Best Orchestrations," was first workshopped as a part of the 2002 TheatreWorks New Works Festival and made its world premiere at TheatreWorks in 2004. It played on Broadway for three years before embarking on a 19-month national tour, followed by an extended run on London's West End, where it captured two Olivier Awards.

With some 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast locally and from across the country.

For information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.