Theatre Philadelphia launches $200K in relief micro grants for theater workers

Scenes from “Beyond the Light,” which was performed at Theatre Exile, 1340 S. 13th Street. (Photos special to SPR/ Photo by William Haas)

Theatre Philadelphia announced the Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief as a response to the needs of the region’s theater workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting with a pool of $200,000, Theatre Philadelphia will award micro-grants of $300 on a first-come-first-serve basis to theater workers impacted by COVID-19 closures and cancellations. Eligible applicants should live within a 35-mile radius of Philadelphia’s City Hall and work in any creative, technical, service or administrative capacity in theater.

Theatre Philadelphia Emergency Relief includes contributions from the Virginia Brown Martin Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation; CHG Charitable Trust; the June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation; the Victory Foundation, which also provides support to Theatre Philadelphia’s Barrymore program; Linda and David Glickstein Fund at The Philadelphia Foundation; and anonymous and individual contributions.

“We want to deeply thank our generous Barrymore supporters for recognizing and answering to the immediate threat this crisis poses for theater professionals,” said Theatre Philadelphia board president Jason Lindner. “Through this effort, Theatre Philadelphia will do our utmost to help fulfill the emergent needs of as many individuals as possible.“

Based on a survey conducted by Theatre Philadelphia, 97 percent of freelance and contract workers in theater have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 70 percent of professional theater artists have lost or will lose half of their income due to the pandemic.

All donations will make their way directly into the hands of local theater workers encountering extreme financial burden. A donation of $300 will provide a micro-grant for one individual.

To learn more, make a donation or to submit an application, visit www.theatrephiladelphia.org/emergencyrelief.