Greene, NY

NY State Council on the Arts Grant Award
Honors Chenango River Theatre

(Continued from TELL ME ABOUT IT page)

New Theatre Advancement is designed to assist the best of new theatres around the state increase compensation for actors, designers and directors. This helps new theatres be more competitive with larger companies that offer higher fees.

Artistic & Managing Director Bill Lelbach said, “The majority of our audience comes from the greater Binghamton area. Broome County has a great arts support program for local arts groups – unfortunately we don’t qualify for that program. And Chenango County has not yet put in place competitive arts funding for which we’re eligible. Not being eligible for local arts funding has been frustrating. So a grant award from NYSCA is a huge plus – not just because of the new funds, though those are important to a young theatre like ours - but because NYSCA awards are based on recommendations from a professional panel composed of some of the top theatre people around the state. It says a lot about the quality of our productions for our application to be rewarded as it has – we’re thrilled with the results.”

CRT’s 2010 season will be announced in early March and will run from June 4 – late October, with at least 68 performances currently planned, including the company’s first production to tour out of the area. To receive a season brochure, go to www.chenangorivertheatre.org and request one.