 News ReleaseFrom the City of Tacoma , Washington FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 23, 2009 MEDIA CONTACTS Nineteen art projects funded by Tacoma Arts Commission The Tacoma Arts Commission recently awarded $45,000 in 2010 Arts Projects funding to 19 different Tacoma organizations in support of public outreach projects in the fields of music, dance, film, theater, literary and visual arts. The awards range in value from $1,000 to $4,000 and serve a cross-section of Tacoma ’s community. “These art projects reflect the innovative, inclusive and eclectic community that is the heart of Tacoma . The diversity of the arts reflect the diversity of interests and experiences of our citizens and enhances our ability to express our Tacoma values and identity,” says Robin Echtle , 2010 Chair of the Tacoma Arts Commission. Funded organizations include 6th Avenue Business District, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Auricle LLC, D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts, Exquisite Disarray Publishing, Fulcrum Gallery, King's Books, Northwest Playwrights Alliance, Old Town Business and Professional Association, Proctor Farmers Market, Puget Sound Poetry Connection, Roosevelt Dancers, Second City Chamber Series, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot Theatre Company, SoJust, Tacoma Art Place, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Farmers Market and Tacoma Pierce County Sister Cities. The Arts Projects funding program supports high quality community projects with a strong focus on arts that are accessible and affordable to the public. Thirty-three Arts Projects applications were submitted to the Tacoma Arts Commission with requests totaling $133,640. Funded projects include the production of a series of urban drama webisodes, publication of a first book of poetry, traditional Cambodian dance and urban hip-hop classes, a variety of music performances, theatrical productions, visual art instruction and exhibits, arts and cultural festivals and poetry readings. Arts Projects is one of three funding programs administered by the Tacoma Arts Commission. For a complete listing of funding programs, publicly accessible funded projects and information about the Tacoma Arts Commission, visit www.tacomaculture.org. ### |
July 28, 2010 Shakespeare in the Parking Lot (SITPL) is Tacoma’s only resident Shakespeare company since 1999. This traveling troupe of performers strives, through the magic of imagination and innovative , to inspire and excite audiences of all ages to engage with the works of William Shakespeare. It is a noble undertaking in the age of Netflix, and a boon for those who already like their entertainment “live.” Untitled, by John Farrell SITPL is “taking the fear out of Shakespeare” by offering educational and staging fresh productions of the Bard’s work in non-traditional and outdoor venues in the South Sound. Under the leadership of founder and artistic director, Kristie Worthey, the theatre company has recast Shakespeare’s dramas with contemporary situations and characters (Macbeth as a presidential hopeful; Juliet as a Generation Y teen). For a production of Titus Andronicus this fall, SITPL will adopt a Surrealist approach using digital artwork by Tacoma artists and music by local composers. Spaceworks Tacoma is supporting the new production with a residency at 913 Pacific Ave., which will provide free rehearsal and performance space from September to November. During the residency, the company has tentative plans to offer one workshop with Royal Shakespeare Company vocal coach, Andrew Wade. Rehearsals are always free and open to the public. SITPL‘s work has been recognized on the national and international levels; this year, Worthey was chosen to be a panelist at the Shakespeare Association of America’s annual conference at the Globe Theatre, in London, speaking on the topic, “Shakespeare Out of the Box.” On July 29, the actors will perform at the Spaceworks Tacoma Block Party at Theater on the Square downtown (see http://www.spaceworkstacoma.com for information). On Aug. 8 and 22, the troupe will take the stage at the Tacoma Art Museum for a performance of the tragicomedy, Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard. Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, 913 Broadway, Sept. – mid-Nov. Information at www.sitpl.org |
