A local foundation and theaterhave come together to improve access to the arts for up-and-coming performers and audiences. The Central New York Community Foundationrecently awarded the Redhouse a $25,000 grant to construct a "lab" theater space, which provides public performance space for educational programming. The grant and planned uses for the theater were highlighted as part of Community Foundation Week.
Redhouse Executive Artistic Director Stephen Svoboda says the space will allow the organization to further engage and mentor community artists and directors, while also reaching a more diverse audience through their productions.
To CNYCF President Peter Dunn, the Redhouse improvements are a first step to improving quality of life in Central New York. He says the project was a good fit in all of the pre-grant application categories:
The premier production in the LAB Theater space in September 2013 was "A Doll's House," and was a sold-out event. The Redhouse will produce five additional shows per year with the new flexible space.
