President Donald Trump’s 2019 budget proposes ELIMINATING the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
(To send a letter of protest to your Congressman, and other suggested actions, click here)
A few days earlier, the NEA announced grants of $24 million (full list here), including some three million dollars for 149 theaters, dozens of which are located in New York City, for shows such as the ones above.
To give a sense of what the NEA does, below is a list of those New York theaters and what the money is for. The grants range from Bedlam’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion ($10,000) to Lincoln Center’s production of My Fair Lady ($35,000) which is based on Shaw’s Pygmalion.
Bedlam Inc. $10,000 to support a production of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion.”
Cherry Lane Theatre, $15,000 to support revival productions of “First Love” by Charles Mee and “The Man Who Had Three Arms” by Edward Albee.
The Civilians, $10,000 to support the development and premiere of “School Project” by Ethan Lipton and directed by Steve Cosson.
Classical Theatre of Harlem, $20,000 to support the annual Uptown Shakespeare in the Park performances.
Clubbed Thumb, $15,000 to support the annual festival of new plays Summerworks 2018.
Creative Ammo, $10,000 to support the Theater @ Downtown Urban Arts Festival.
Ensemble Studio Theatre, $10,000 to support a production of “Against the Hillside” by Sylvia Khoury.
Ping Chong Company, $25,000 to support the development and presentation of a new work in Ping Chong + Company’s community engaged Undesirable Elements series.
The Acting Company, $10,000 to support the commission and tour of new plays.
HERE, $40,000 to support the HERE Artist Residency Program for midcareer performing and visual artists.
Lark Theatre Company, $30,000 to support the Open Access Program, a play scouting initiative that supports writers and new play development.
Mabou Mines, $20,000 to support the creation of the “Vicksburg Project,” a song cycle performance by Eve Beglarian and Karen Kandel.
MCC Theater, $25,000 to support the premiere of “Relevance” by J.C. Lee, directed by Liesl Tommy.
MTC, $30,000 to support the New York premiere of Eve Ensler’s “In the Body of the World.”
New 42nd Street, Inc, $25,000 to support a series of presentations of theater for young audiences at the New Victory Theater
New Dramatists, $80,000 to support the Playwrights Lab
The New Group, $10,000 to support New Group/ New Works, a play and musical development program.
New York Classical Theatre, $15,000 to support a production of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” in public parks throughout New York City.
New York Theatre Workshop,$40,000 to support the world premiere production of “An Ordinary Muslim” by Hammaad Chaudry, directed by Jo Bonney.
Playwrights Horizons, $45,000 to support the world premiere production of “Dance Nation,” a new play by Clare Barron
Pregones Touring Puerto Rican Theatre Collection,$20,000, to support the development of “Tito & the Cement Pagoda,” a new play with live music developed by Jorge B. Merced and Desmar Guevara, and to conduct related outreach activities.
Primary Stages, $25,000 to support the New York premiere of “Feeding the Dragon,” a new play by Sharon Washington.
Ripe Time, $10,000 to support a touring production of “Sleep,” an original theatrical work inspired by the short story by Haruki Murakami.
Roundabout Theatre Company, $20,000 to support the world premiere of “Amy and the Orphans,” a new play by Lindsey Ferrentino.
SITI Company, $20,000 to support SITI Work/Space, a new model for creating work as an ensemble, which will support the creation of new theater pieces.
Signature Theatre Company,$50,000 to support a production of “Paradise Blue” by Dominique Morisseau.
St. Ann’s Warehouse, $40,000 to support the development and production of new theater works.
Theater Breaking Through Barriers, $10,000 to support the development and a production of a new play by Bekah Brunstetter.
New Georges, $15,000 to support the Audrey Residencies, a new play and artist development program at New Georges.
Wooster Group, $20,000 to support the creation and presentation of “The B-Side: Negro Folklore from Texas State Prisons, a Record Album Interpretation.”
Musical theater
Amas Musical Theatre, $10,000 to support the development of new musicals through readings and workshops.
Ars Nova, $15,000 to support the premiere of “The Lucky Ones,” by married duo Abigail and Shaun Bengson.
Atlantic Theater, $30,000 to support the premiere of “This Ain’t No Disco,” by Peter Yanowitz and Stephen Trask
National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Inc. (aka NAMT)
$60,000 to support the annual Festival of New Musicals and fall conference.
Pipeline Theatre Company, $10,000 to support the world premiere production of “Folk Wandering,” a new folk musical conceived by Jaclyn Backhaus and Andrew Neisler.
Prospect Theater Company, $10,000 to support the development and world premiere production of “One Thousand Nights and One Day,” a
new musical with book and lyrics by Jason Grote and music by Marisa Michelson.
Vineyard Theatre, $25,000 to support the world premiere production of “The Beast in the Jungle,” a new musical with book by David Thompson and music by John Kander, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.
Lincoln Center Theater, $35,000 to support a revival of “My Fair Lady” by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe at Lincoln Center Theater
