LEARN
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2020 Grants Challenge

Crimson Square Writer's Lab

Our Emerging Writer's Lab will provide guidance and development for new and diverse playwrights who do not have access to expensive university writer's programs. The grant money would go towards instructors fees, room rentals and theatre rentals for staged readings of student's original works.

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In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?

City of Los Angeles

In what stage of innovation is this project?

Pilot project or new program

What is the need you’re responding to?

There is a lack of support for new and diverse voices in theatre. Many theatres focus primarily on graduates from higher education or collegiate/university writing programs, already established playwrights, and prominently named talent. Thus, emerging talent outside that demographic struggles to have access to development and performance opportunities. We want to creat a program that gives writing development and education to those who would normally not have access, financial ability, or opportunity to attend a university writing program.

Why is this project important to the work of your organization?​

Cheshire Moon is dedicated to using the arts as a force for positive change in Southern California. Our longest-running program, Dancescape LA, has provided dance and music education to over 6500 students in the LA area. Starting Crimson Square Theatre Company in 2019, and Crimson Square Writer's Lab (pilot program for 2020) is our expansion into theatre and dramatic arts education. With our 16 years of experience, we are confident in our ability to launch this program.

Approximately how many people will be impacted by this proposal?​

Direct Impact: 30

Indirect Impact: 1,100

Please describe the broader impact of your proposal.

Giving underrepresented voices and emerging talent the opportunity to have their work performed on a professional stage, with a broad audience, and presenting the general public to original works from unique perspectives, will hopefully encourage support and viewership of inclusive theatre by the current and next generation. Each of the writers (30) given the opportunity to have their work seen will impact the audiences in attendance for the entire run of the show(1100).

Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.

Success for the Crimson Square Writer's Lab would be a minimum of 10 new writing students per year, receiving education, mentorship, and development opportunity, culminating in the production of the multiple original works in 2021 through Crimson Square Theatre Company. Our goal is to create an ongoing writer lab that has the infrastructure to expand into a larger program of up to 30 writers in the coming years.

Which of the LEARN metrics will your submission impact?​

Arts education

Are there any other LA2050 goal categories that your proposal will impact?​

LA is the best place to CREATE

Which of LA2050’s resources will be of the most value to you?​

Access to the LA2050 community

Host public events or gatherings

Communications support

Office space for meetings, events, or for staff

Strategy assistance and implementation