Shakespeare for a New Generation grant will support education tour
Maggie Whitlum, executive director of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) has announced that the company has received a $25,000 grant for the HVSF Education Program’s 2012-2013 production of Othello, as part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national program of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Arts Midwest.
HVSF is one of 42 nonprofit, professional theater companies in 24 states plus the District of Columbia to receive the grant to perform Shakespeare for students through Shakespeare for a New Generation. The program gives middle-and high-school students in underserved schools and communities throughout the United States exposure to high quality, professional productions of Shakespeare’s work.
Since the program’s inception in 2003, Shakespeare for a New Generation has benefitted more than 2.25 million individuals, including 1.9 million students, with live performances and educational activities.
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has brought the works of William Shakespeare into classrooms and communities for 19 years. During the 2011-2012 school year the programs reached 40,000 students and teachers throughout the Hudson Valley and tri-state region, including 18,000 with their production of Romeo and Juliet. In 2012-2013 the education programs will present a production of Othello, to be directed by Christopher V. Edwards, HVSF associate artistic director and director of education.
In addition, HVSF teaching artists will provide interactive workshops that offer students the opportunity to experience the language and stories of Shakespeare with a fresh perspective.
“We are extremely honored to receive this grant which allows us to expand our efforts to bring Shakespeare to students and schools that otherwise might not have the opportunity,” said Whitlum.
“Arts Midwest is thrilled to celebrate the 10th year of this remarkable program,” said David Fraher, executive director of Arts Midwest. “Shakespeare in American Communities has been incredibly successful at reaching young and diverse audiences across the nation and we are pleased that we can engage so many talented theater companies this year.”
For information about the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Education Program visit hvshakespeare.org or call Nora Rosoff at 845-809-5750.
