2018-461-E Arts - WomensTheatre arts grant

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 66DB6581- 30BA- 412A- BCF6- 57F9109A01BA Project /Program The Women's Theatre Festival is producing the play "These Shining Lives" by Melanie Summary Marnich at the Arts Center in Carrboro. The play tells the true story of the Radium Girls, who won a landmark case for workers' rights in the 1920s after they contracted radiation poisoning from painting glow -in -the dark watch dials. The show chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring their true story and its continued resonance. Theirs is a story of survival in its most transcendant sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits -- or endanger the lives of those who come after them. The play is being directed by Jorie Slodki, produced by Rachel Kasten, and stage managed by Keyanna Alexander, with lighting design by Karyn Raynor and Sound Design by Aharon Segal. Dramaturg Sara Thompson will be helping with research and historical accuracy, and make -up artist Anna Talley will be handling the glowing paint and other design needs. The show features a six person cast of local Triangle actors. "These Shining Lives" will run for 8 performances, from July 27th to August 5th. Project Start Date (no July 27th, 2018 earlier than July 1, 2018) Project End Date (no August 5th, 2018 later than June 30, 2019) Project Goals Our mission, to create, produce and promote extraordinary theatre by women, is the objective that informs every play we produce. We aim to spotlight a diverse range of women's stories, and "These Shining Lives" is a strong example for our "Women are Heroes" theme and highlights an overlooked moment in history that has particular resonance in today's world. Each year, our ticket sales for the festival have increased, and we aim to continue bringing art to more Triangle residents. "These Shining Lives" will be a key part of that success. In informal feedback from community members, we have received a high level of interest in a theatrical production being staged in the Carrboro - Chapel Hill area, as many shows tend to happen in Durham and Raleigh. One of our aims is to fully tap the local interest in Orange County for arts programming. We also strive to provide leadership, growth, and learning opportunities for experienced and emerging artists, and for our programming to spark a conversation on gender roles in the arts, and continue building the path forward. One of our broader goals is to promote the national movement "50/50 by 2020 ", as it applies to gender equality in directors and playwrights in the Triangle region. We've reached out to area theater companies directly, and Burning Coal Theatre, Playmakers Repertory, Forest Moon Theater, and the Justice Theater Project have all committed to 50/50 or better seasons next year. "These Shining Lives" is one step to help further these goals. Audience Description Our target audience wants to experience high - quality theater that amplifies the stories of heroic women, and to engage the nationwide discussion on gender in a meaningful and personal way at the local level. By selecting works like "These Shining Lives ", we attract audiences looking to hear a wide range of voices: Only 17% of shows produced in the triangle in the last 6 years were written by women, so our programming offers a vital point of view. With its 4 female leads, we engage audiences looking for strong female protagonists. 70% of ticket buyers are women, but only 39% of theater roles go to female actors (and many of those are in supporting or side parts. All our shows aim to have diverse casts, and we want to draw a diverse audience as well. Previous programming has had an audience that was 68% Caucasian, 19% African- American, 5% Asian, 1 % Latinx, and 7% identifying as other.