TCG Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Emilya Cachapero
Director of Artistic Programs,
Director, International Theatre Institute/U.S.
212 609-5900 ext. 244

THEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP ANNOUNCES
2007 APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINES NOW ONLINE FOR
THE NEA/TCG CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR
THEATRE DIRECTORS AND DESIGNERS

New York, October 2006 - The National Endowment for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, are pleased to announce the 2007 deadlines for the NEA/TCG Career Development Programs for Theatre Directors and Designers. These programs are administered by TCG, in association with the National Endowment, and are supported in part by The Ford Foundation. A fact sheet describing each program is provided below.

In response to the partnership and the announcement of the 2007 Career Development Programs deadlines, TCG's Interim Executive Director Gigi Bolt remarked, "It is a consistent privilege and a great pleasure for TCG to support these extraordinary early career theatre artists. This program is intended to enhance and expand their work and careers so they may, in time, enrich the American theatre. We are indebted to the NEA for its generous sponsorship and to The Ford Foundation for its valuable enhancement support."

Bill O'Brien, Director of Theater and Musical Theater at the National Endowment for the Arts, said "The NEA/TCG Career Development Programs provide an opportunity to make an investment in the enhanced health and future of American theater. These unique programs provide crucial support to deserving emerging artists and assure them the ability to pursue their dreams and develop their professional careers. The Endowment is delighted to continue its collaboration with Theatre Communications Group and The Ford Foundation to provide financial support and networking opportunities for these artists, so they can continue down a more secured path toward a lifetime of contributions to the field."

Roberta Uno, Program Officer, Arts & Culture at the Ford Foundation added, "We are pleased to support the NEA/TCG Career Development Programs, which are an innovative model of support to individual artists. The programs enable exemplary artists to make a career in the American theater. In supporting their work and connecting them to leading theaters across the country, the arts in America are also strengthened.

The NEA/TCG Career Development Programs for Theatre Directors and Designers provides support of $22,500 each to seven stage directors and seven designers who are exceptionally talented and see a career in America's not-for-profit professional theatre. Early-career directors, as well as scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers benefit from the opportunity to spend six months within a two-year period developing their creative skills and expanding their knowledge of the field. An independent, national selection panel composed of theatre professionals chooses the recipients. Program activities may include assistantships, observation, research and travel. Recipients may also direct or design projects under the guidance of one or more designated mentors. Each recipient's program is hand-tailored to match their goals to appropriate and challenging assignments.

The postmark deadline for applying to the 2007 Designers Program is February 5, 2007. The 2007 Directors Program postmark deadline is February 12, 2007. For more information on these programs, log onto TCG's web site, www.tcg.org, email grants@tcg.org or call 212-609-5900 and ask for the Artistic Programs department.

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The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has been a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide, guided by its goals of strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Russia.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, offers a wide array of services in line with its mission: to strengthen, nurture, and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre. Through its artistic, management, and international programs, advocacy activities, and publications, TCG seeks to increase the organizational efficiency of its member theatres, cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field, and promote a larger public understanding of and appreciation for the theatre field. TCG has over 440member theatres nationwide.

NEA/TCG CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THEATRE DIRECTORS

FACT SHEET

The NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Theatre Directors will provide $22,500 each to seven exceptionally talented early-career directors who seek a career in American not-for-profit professional theatre. The program offers recipients an opportunity to spend six months developing their directing skills and expanding their knowledge of the field. Program activity may include assisting, observe, research and travel. In addition to being placed at leading not-for-profit theatres and with established directors who serve as mentors, it is possible for recipients to extend their artistic boundaries by exploring related arts disciplines. Recipients may also direct projects under the guidance of one or more designated mentors. Placements are hand-tailored, matching the needs and goals of the recipient with appropriate and challenging assignments.

Eligibility requirements include the following:

Candidates of diverse backgrounds and representing the full spectrum of theatrical activity, including those who have worked in non-traditional venues, are encouraged to apply to this program. No applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Applications are reviewed and selected by a national independent selection committee composed of theatre professionals.  For more information and an application, log onto www.tcg.org .

NEA/TCG CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THEATRE DESIGNERS

FACT SHEET

The NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Theatre Designers will provide $22,500 each to seven exceptionally talented early-career designers who seek a career in America's not-for-profit professional theatre. This program is open to scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers. Recipients are given the opportunity to spend six months developing their design skills and expanding their knowledge of the field. Program activity may include assisting, observing, research and travel. In addition to being placed at leading not-for-profit theatres and with established designers who would serve as mentors, it is possible for recipients to extend their artistic boundaries by exploring related arts disciplines. Recipients may also design projects under the guidance of one or more designated mentors. Placements are hand-tailored, matching the needs and goals of the recipient with appropriate and challenging assignments.

Eligibility requirements include the following:

Candidates of diverse backgrounds and representing the full spectrum of theatrical activity, including those who have worked in non-traditional venues, are encouraged to apply to this program. No applicant will be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Applications are reviewed and selected by a national independent selection committee composed of theatre professionals. For more information and an application, log onto www.tcg.org.