April 30, 2010
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Washington, DC – The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) today announced that 40 nonprofit, professional theater companies will receive grants of $25,000 each to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation from June 1, 2010-May 31, 2011. Part of the NEA’s Shakespeare in American Communities initiative, Shakespeare for a New Generation introduces middle and high school students to the power of live theater and the masterpieces of William Shakespeare. Managed by Arts Midwest, the program has benefitted more than 1.5 million students and their teachers with live performances and educational activities since the program began in 2003.
“We are proud to support bringing Shakespeare to America’s students” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “I have seen firsthand how the productions supported through Shakespeare for a New Generation have connected youth with Shakespeare – sometimes for the first time – inspiring them and creating the next generation of audiences. At the same time, this funding increases work opportunities for our theatre artists.”
Each of the 40 participating companies will present productions of Shakespeare plays with accompanying educational activities to at least 10 schools. Activities may also include in-school residencies, workshops, or post-performance discussions.
Please see the complete list of the 40 companies that have been selected to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation for 2010-2011.
Including the newly selected companies, more than 80 of the nation’s theater companies have taken part in the NEA’s Shakespeare program since its inception. By June 2010, participating theater companies will have presented performances at 4,000 schools in 2,500 communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
