Big news from ArtsWest – a prestigious grant never before given to a theater in our state. Here’s the announcement:

ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery is pleased to announce that the American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards, is awarding the Company with one of the 2012 National Theatre Company grants.

The award includes a $10,000 grant given to only 10 theaters in the country. ArtsWest is the first theater in Washington State to win this award.

This grant will have a significant impact on ArtsWest, providing resources needed to realize our full artistic vision and assisting in our ability to provide even broader access to the arts. The grant is given to emerging regional theaters that have articulated a distinctive mission, cultivated an audience, and nurtured a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre. More information about the National Theatre Company grants can be found at http://americantheatrewing.org/grants.

With premiere shows such as Exit, Pursued by a Bear, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and our outstanding theater education programs, ArtsWest has captured national attention.

As our mission states, we strive to enrich the cultural vibrancy of our community, both by engaging audience members and by supporting local artists. ArtsWest plays a particularly important role in the theater landscape: we are a home for professional actors, directors, choreographers, musicians, stage managers, and designers to showcase their talent with new, progressive, high-quality productions. We also support local playwrights with our Seattle Playwrights Studio program.

Artistic Director Christopher Zinovitch says, “We’re a theater that produces plays of the highest quality, with incredible casts and crews, located in one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic communities in Seattle . We want to thank the board, staff, actors, volunteers, and founders, and all who have contributed to ArtsWest. Because of all of you, we were able to move forward and get to this level.”

The award will also bring increased awareness of ArtsWest’s work, positioning us as a leader in our field. We are immensely proud and excited!