Fifty New York Theatre Companies Receive American Theatre Wing Support

One of the great joys of the American Theatre Wing's Annual Theatre Company Grants Luncheon is that - with a range of presenters and brief comments from all 50 grant recipients - you never know what you're going to hear.

Presenter Jonathan Groff, acclaimed for his roles in Spring Awakening and Hair, noted that all of his New York stage appearances began at not-for-profit companies - but he also gave a "shout-out" to the Wing's extensive online video archive, noting that he had been an avid fan of the Working In The Theatre videos while still in high school in Pennsylvania, dashing home to watch new programs after school (and making the Wing staff feel old, since the programs have been online for only a few years).

Presenter André de Shields spoke of his love of his work at so many of New York's not-for-profits, but also took a moment to acknowledge the passing of Gerald Schoenfeld, chairman of the Shubert Organization, who had been instrumental in one of de Shields' iconic Broadway successes, Ain't Misbehavin', prompting a murmur of appreciation from the many people in the room who had worked with Schoenfeld or received support from the Shubert Foundation.

Keith Randolph Smith, who attended as a guest of Signature Theatre Company where he appeared earlier this season in The First Breeze of Summer, noted his particular tie to ATW: he received a scholarship from the Theatre Wing while in drama school.

This range of reflections and appreciations were all part of the American Theatre Wing's 52nd Annual Theatre Company Grants Luncheon. The luncheon was kicked-off by comments from ATW Board Chairman Ted Chapin, who spoke of ATW's longstanding commitment to New York's not-for-profit theatres, and noted the formidable task faced by this year's grants committee, as the Wing has received a record number of applications, exceeding the previous high by some 30%. He also noted that since its inception, the ATW Grants Program - run by an organization that is itself a not-for-profit, rather than a foundation, has distributed nearly $3 million. This year alone, the Wing made 50 grants totaling $125,000.

In addition to de Shields and Groff, guest presenters at the luncheon, all of whom have worked in the city's not-for-profits, included Kelly Bishop, Charles Busch, Lisa Kron, and Marian Seldes. Also attending the luncheon, as guests of the theatres receiving grants, were such distinguished authors as Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Peter Hedges, Leslie Lee, Donald Margulies, Adam Rapp and Michael Weller.

At the beginning of the afternoon, ATW executive director Howard Sherman issued a challenge to the assembled organizations, each of whom would have a few moments to speak to their peers.

"Let us all strike the words 'difficult times' from our remarks today," said Sherman. "Not because we don't all equally share enormous challenges, or that we can deny reality. But we are gathered today to talk about the spirit that inspires and - and I say this emphatically - will sustain us in offering the widest and richest variety of theatre, as you all have, for many years to come."

American Theatre Wing Donors Enjoy An Evening With Karen Ziemba

On Wednesday, November 12th, supporters of the American Theatre Wing gathered for a special evening with Karen Ziemba at The Snapple Theater Center/Jerry Orbach Theater. Karen, a Tony Award winner for Contact and Tony Award nominee for Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance, and Curtains shared her voice and amazing talent with American Theatre Wing donors, ATW Board members as well as our Advisory Committee members singing songs from her many wonderful past productions. This event was an opportunity for us to thank our supporters who have been generous in their commitment to our organization as we continue our mission of recognizing and supporting excellence, and helping students, aspiring professionals and avid theatergoers to learn more about how theatre is made through the words of the people who make theatre.

Past events for supporters of the American Theatre Wing have been an evening with Harvey Fierstein and an intimate get together with Dee Hoty, if you like information on donating to the American Theatre Wing and attend one of these special events, please contact, Barbara Toy, Development Director, (212) 765-0606, x302 or development@americantheatrewing.org.

Best Wishes For The New Year From The American Theatre Wing

Happy holidays from all of us at the American Theatre Wing. Thank you for visiting our website and checking out our programs. You may not know it, but The Wing is a not-for-profit service organization, and like so many worthy causes at this time, we need your help. Your gift would be the venture capital for the theatrical creativity you'll see in the coming years, and helps to build audiences who are ever more aware, knowledgeable and committed to enjoying and valuing theatre as much as you do.

During this hectic holiday season and, especially, in these challenging financial times, we so appreciate your support of our website with your visit. We hope you would consider a tax-deductible gift in any amount to help us continue to bring you programs such as Working in the Theatre and Downstage Center and our education programs, SpringboardNYC and the Theatre Intern Group. In addition, we also have programs that support the future of theatre, our Theatre Grant Program gives grants to New York City not-for-profit theatre organizations and the Jonathan Larson Grants program supports composers, lyricists and bookwriters as they begin their careers.

If you enjoy this website, consider helping us to keep it lively - and growing! You can donate online now, or fill out our donation form and mail it to Development, American Theatre Wing, 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 501, New York, NY 10018.

Do You Know...

Which 2006 & 2008 SpringboardNYC mentor has played a young doctor on TV and also starred in three Broadway productions? Need a hint?

He?s played Hal in Proof, Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins, and the MC in Cabaret. Recently he?s become an internet sensation by starring as a love sick mad scientist in the web musicalDr. Horrible?s Sing-Along. Give up or have the answer?

What They Said

David Pittu on ATW's Working in the Theatre
"Actors Words, Writers Voice", November 2008

"As a writer I feel like, before I'm going to put pen to paper, I have to make sure what I'm about to do HAS to happen in the theatre.
Too often I go to see things and I think, 'this is a polemic, this is a... I want to be entertained.' I know the world is a terrible place, make something beautiful out of that. But to get somebody out of their apartment I think nowadays, to go and pay the exorbitant amount of money to see theatre now, you better make it theatrical."

Happy Holidays!

Help support the American Theatre Wing...by going shopping! Here's an easy way to support the American Theatre Wing for FREE. Shop at Amazon using this link, and a portion of the proceeds will go to us--at no extra cost to you!