East West Players, the nation's first Asian-American theatre company, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Edison International. The grant, funded by EI's "Arts for the Community" program, is designated for operational support and outreach.Relocated to the Union Center for the Arts in Little Tokyo in March 1998, EWP is key to the development of a downtown-based nonprofit arts complex. "This grant from Edison will help us to continue and expand our mainstage programs, workshops and performances," said Tim Dang, producing artistic director. "EWP's performances reach over 70,000 people each year and this support will help us expand to an even broader audience."

Based in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison, Edison Mission Energy, Edison Capital and Edison Enterprises. The organization has distributed $4 million in grants over a three-year period beginning in 1998. Grants are offered to nonprofit arts organizations in three categories: community-based arts education and outreach, college- and university-based arts education and outreach, and capital projects.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent