By Lookout Staff
May 21, 2009 -- Shakespeare Santa Monica is one of four theater companies to receive a first ever Performing Arts Charitable Trust (PACT) grant from the Dax Foundation.
The grants will help “growing arts groups enhance their performance capabilities, increase awareness of their theatrical projects, and better connect with their local communities,” according to the Los Angeles-based private, non-profit philanthropic foundation.
“At a time when funding for the arts from both public and private sources is declining precipitously, we felt compelled to increase our long-standing commitment to the arts in Los Angeles,” said Dave Weisman, the Dax Foundation’s executive director.
“After privately supporting and watching dedicated theatrical companies face significant challenges in bringing vital cultural arts to their communities, we decided to expand our support for these groups.”
Shakespeare Santa Monica's Pericles Redux |
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PACT, will not just provide one-time grants to “talented groups with an extraordinary passion to perform,” Weisman said, the foundation also will nurture them and continue to provide assistance over the long run.
“Beyond just financial support, the Foundation offers them a supportive environment to expand their thinking and take bold steps to deliver powerful performances the entire community can enjoy,” Weisman added.
Embarking on its 6th season, Shakespeare Santa Monica’s all-volunteer troupe stages free performances of the bard’s plays at Santa Monica’s Reed Memorial Park.
John Farmanesh-Bocca, the award-winning director for Shakespeare Santa Monica and Not Man Apart, will serve as PACT’s Program Director.
“There are many talented performance groups that could benefit from additional help to bring brilliant arts entertainment to their communities,” Farmanesh-Bocca said.
The $50,000 performance grant from the Dax Foundation will help Shakespeare Santa Monica stage several benefit performances of the theater’s acclaimed interpretation of “Pericles Redux” this summer at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles.
The other three recipients are Veterans Center for the Performing Arts, Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble and Independent Shakespeare Company.
Tickets for these upcoming benefit performances by Shakespeare Santa Monica will be available in the coming weeks via the Center Theatre Group.
