The current COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the theatre field’s infrastructure and placing the most vulnerable - freelancers working in the theatre field - in an increasingly dire situation. These individuals have committed and dedicated themselves to making meaningful contributions to the cultural life of our communities while living day-to-day in the most fragile conditions. Theatres across the country have had no choice but to close productions mid-run and to cancel contracts for work that was to take place in 2020 and 2021. In all likelihood, this pause in theatre activities will continue for the foreseeable future.
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and TheFrontOffice (an entertainment development company founded in 2019 by director Wendy C. Goldberg) have partnered to create the Freelancers Relief Fund: Theatre Designers providing a limited number of rapid response grants of $1,000 each for scenic, lighting, costume, sound and projection designers who have had theatre employment within January 2019 - March 2020.
Theatre Designers in either of the following categories are able to apply, however priority will be given to those with Critical Needs:
- Critical Needs: Theatre Designers who do not have access to employment in any sector, unemployment insurance/benefits, family support or other emergency relief and who have no or minimal access to essential life needs (food, housing, medicine and caretaking).
- Financial Hardship: Theatre freelancers who are only able to meet essential life needs for 3 months or less and have limited sources of income, such as unemployment insurance/benefits.
Applications will accepted on a rolling basis, begining December 7, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Learn more and apply here.
