The University of Delaware's Master Players Concert Series (MPCS) and Resident Ensemble Players (REP) have been awarded Delaware Division of the Arts' Project Support grants of $17,500 and $50,000, respectively, to "assist in the growth of a vibrant cultural environment."
The grants support "increased access to high-quality arts activities presented by community-based organizations throughout the state," and the two University awards are substantially greater than the average program grants, which typically range from $2,000 to $10,000.
The $17,500 grant to the Master Players Concert Series will fund the world premier of the Six on 6ix concert, in which the MPCS has commissioned six-minute-long compositions by international musicians.
The works will be performed by the world-class MPCS ensemble-in-residence 6wire Project and other guest artists at the Six on 6ix concert, which runs during the weekend of March 15, 2013.
Meanwhile, the $50,000 grant to REP will help support the five productions that will comprise the upcoming REP season, particularly by offsetting some of the costs of maintaining a resident acting company and hiring guest directors and designers.
"That REP has received this award the first time ever that a professional arts organization existing within a university has gotten funding above $20,000 is a testament to the high quality of professional theatre that REP has offered and continues to offer and to its commitment to make first class theatre productions of great plays accessible to everyone in this region by virtue of exceptionally low ticket prices," says Sanford Robbins, chair of the Department of Theatre.
About the REP
The REP consists of 10 Equity actors and an Equity stage manager, all of whom are contracted for a four-year period of residency that commences with the beginning of each PTTP training cycle. The company is composed of some of America's most experienced and respected stage actors and actresses as well as two members directly from the most recent PTTP graduating class.
