Sixteen local theatres were on the awards list recently announced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. A total of $1,607,000 in grants to 154 nonprofit arts organizations was awarded for the fiscal year 1999-2000. The grants represent a 26% increase in dollars and a 33% rise in the number of grantees over the previous year when $1,269,000 was awarded to a total of 115 groups. The 1999-2000 grants set a record for funding of arts organizations by the Commission.

The full list of theatre companies tapped for awards includes: 24th Street Theatre, Antaeus Co., Buffalo Nights Theatre Co., California Youth Theatre, Foliage Theatre Co., Indecent Exposure Theatre Co., Jewish Women's Theatre Project, Moving Arts, PALEF, Pasadena Shakespeare Co., Playwrights' Arena, Robey Theatre Co., Sacred Fools Theatre Co., Santa Clarita Repertory Co., Theatre of Note and Towne Street Theatre.

"These grants are the result of the vision and leadership of the Board of Supervisors," said Tomas Benitez, president of the Commission. "They recognize the importance of arts and culture to life in southern California and the result is an enriched cultural arts climate that will benefit all residents of the region."

The Commission can be reached at (213) 974-1343.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent