Loads of colleges, schools and apprenticeships exist to help novice actors get their wings, but what about those with a few seasons under their belts? Established performers who want to "further their craft and artistic potential"?
Well, the Fox Foundation has established a new program, "The Fox Grants For Advanced Study," which will annually provide up to a $500,000 for seasoned performers. Said Foundation head William C. Warren, "As theatre production shrinks, there are fewer opportunities for actors. The Fox Foundation's goal is to support the theatre by underwriting the personal growth of its most cherished artists." The Foundation is named for William and Eva Fox, by the way -- founders of 20th Century Fox.
Administering the program on behalf of the Fox Foundation is the Actors Center, a non-profit institution of classes and workshops for performers. Nominators will be posted in major cities throughout the U.S. The Center has also set up an advisory board, including Andre Braugher, Helen Carey (London Assurance), Mary Beth Hurt (Crimes of the Heart), James Naughton (Chicago), Christopher Plummer (Barrymore), Seret Scott, Lois Smith (Buried Child) and Michael Stuhlbarg (A Dybbuk). Michael Langham and J. Michael Miller chair the committee.
The first grants will be awarded May 1998. For applications write to The Actors Center, 12 West 27 St., New York, NY 10001.
-- By David Lefkowitz
