theatreWashington has expanded its Taking Care COVID-19 emergency grant program and will now be increasing the amount of grants available to any theater professional in need living in the DC area who has worked in area theaters during the last two years, the organization announced yesterday.
“Many of the professional theater-makers in our community—actors, designers, directors, stage managers, box-office staff, choreographers, administrators, technicians, and others—are freelance, part-time, and/or contracted short-term employees. As long as the future of full-capacity, in-person theater productions and events remain uncertain, these individuals will face financial hardship,” the organizations wrote.
The grants range from $500 to $5,000, theatreWashington estimates the average grant will be $1,500. The organization’s staff and Advisory Panel will review applications on a monthly basis. theatreWashington emphasizes that the grants will be available not only to theater artists but to any theater employee affected by the COVID-related shutdowns, including box office personnel, administrators and technicians. Employees and contractors are equally eligible.
Theater professions who have already received grants since March 2020 will still be eligible to re-apply under the new program, theatreWashington said.
The Taking Care COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund has raised over $340,000 from over 1,000 donors so far, according to theatreWashington. The Fund has distributed about 600 grants, and has roughly $100,000 remaining.
theatreWashington’s goal is to raise half a million dollars to assist theater professionals.
