Syracuse Stage one of 13 theaters in country to receive national grant from Theatre Communications Group

Syracuse Stage is one of 13 theaters across the nation to receive a grant for future audiences from the New Generations Program, a grant initiative cooperatively designed by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG). Syracuse Stage will receive $77,000 to help expand and strengthen existing, unique and innovative audience development programs that have proven effective in reaching young, culturally specific and/or underserved audiences.

“This is terrific news and a great honor for our theater and Syracuse,” says Jeffrey Woodward, managing director at Syracuse Stage. “The grant is a strong endorsement of Tim Bond’s artistic leadership and his vision to expand our audience and make this a theater for all.”

“Theatre Communications Group’s New Generations Program has been an important initiative for the theater field since 2001,” says Ed Henry, president of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. “We are delighted to partner with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in supporting this ninth round of grantees.”

The first Syracuse Stage event to fall within the parameters of the New Generations Program was Stage’s Open House that took place on Sept. 26. The event drew more than 400 people and included backstage tours, an open dress rehearsal of the Bank of America Children’s Tour, a tech demonstration and complimentary refreshments.

Future plans for attracting theatergoers to Syracuse Stage include live music during the post-show opening night celebrations in association with WAER 88.3, LGBT Pride Night Series, Actor Talkback Series, Welch Allyn Signed Interpreted Performance Series, Wednesday @ 1 Lecture Series, M&T Bank Pay What You Can Nights, involvement in Syracuse’s TH3 citywide arts open, and special events in association with area groups.