The grant, which is nearly $94,000, will establish "Musicals in Development" for the 2009-2010 season at Human Race. The program will encompass two summer musical festivals as well as the Summer Lovewell program, two residencies and two major musical productions at The Loft Theatre. "Dayton has long been a center for innovation," said Human Race executive director Kevin Moore in a statement. "The airplane, the cash register, the electric starter engine, the ice tray – just a few of the many innovations created in Dayton. We plan to use the creative energy in the Miami Valley to make this a center for the creation of new musicals."

In addition to establishing ongoing relationships with writers Stephen Schwartz, Tom Jones, Joseph Thalken, Gregg Coffin and Rob Hartmann, the Human Race Theatre Company has developed and premiered musicals including Snapshots, Was, Wild Blue, Harold & Maude, Convenience, Green Gables, Moby Dick, The Ambition Bird, Voice of the City, 24 Hours, Nefertiti and Tinyard Hill.

For further information visit www.humanracetheatre.org.