Chance Theater receives grant from Tony Awards founder
By Jackie Moe
Chance Theater of Anaheim is one of seven recipients of a $10,000 grant, annually awarded to theaters around the country by the Tony Award founder American Theatre Wing, it was announced Wednesday.
The 2016 National Theatre Company grants, totaling $120,000, are given to theater companies for general operating support. Grant applicants must have been in continued existence for at least five years but not longer than 15 years, during which time they need to have established a mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured the theater community with quality and diversity.
“In addition to the financial support and national recognition, this grant is another confirmation that the work we are doing for our community, both on and off the stage, is important and meaningful,” said Casey Long, Chance Theater managing director. “People are taking notice.”
Along with Chance Theater, the six other recipients are American Blues Theater (Chicago), Bedlam (New York City), Classical Theatre Company (Houston), Cygnet Theatre Company (San Diego), South of Broadway Theatre Company (Charleston, S.C.) and Yellow Tree Theatre (Osseo, Minn.).
This year, the American Theatre Wing will also distribute grants for the 2016 cycle in the amount of $10,000 each to companies that have already received the grant between 2010 and 2015.
This year’s recipients are 16th Street Theater (Berwyn, Ill.), 1812 Productions (Philadelphia), Golden Thread Productions (San Francisco), Portland Playhouse (Portland, Ore.) and Synchronicity Theatre (Atlanta).
Long said the Chance Theater grant will go toward the company’s mission of “supporting local talent, fostering creativity in young people, and engaging our community through the bold, personal and unique power of live theater.”
Chance Theater has won five Ovation Awards, including two for best musical, and was recently named the official resident theater company of Anaheim by the Anaheim City Council.
“Being recognized by this national organization is a sign of the high caliber of talent that is in our community. This would not have been possible without the talented artists and passionate patrons who have supported us for many years,” Long said.
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