The Broadway League has awarded coveted New York Education Grants to the Broadway productions of Annie by Martin Charnin, Charles Strouse and Thomas Meehan, and Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein  and Cyndi Lauper.  Each production receives a $5,000 grant towards its 2013 educational initiatives. The grants aid the growth and development of theatre education in the city as they encourage Broadway productions to create more opportunities for young people and to exchange ideas about education.
                                     
The Broadway League established the New York Education Grants in 2002 to recognize education initiatives and to support further programs for Broadway shows.  As the national trade organization for the commercial theatre industry, the League also sponsors a grant program supporting educational programs for Touring Broadway productions.  The two programs combined have to date awarded over $850,000 to theatres in New York and across the country. Both grants were established by the League with generous additional financial support from Theatre Development Fund.
 
“Striving to ensure professional and personal development, The Broadway League is proud to award Annie and Kinky Boots with the 2013 New York Education Grants,” said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. “Our goal is to enhance the education of students regarding all things Broadway, while also cultivating diversity and inspiring audience development.”

Annie
The Annie Education Initiative is teaming up with Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21) with support from the Department of Education to bring Annie and theatre education directly to New York City public schools. Annie and CAP21 will bring 1,000 4th-8th graders between February and June of 2013 to two hands-on workshops in which the students will be introduced to the basic skills of acting, singing, dancing and their application to the rehearsal of a performance work. The students will attend two matinee performances and afterwards participate in a talk back session led by teaching artists and the cast and creative team of Annie. This will give the children a rare opportunity to ask questions to working professionals and to be introduced to different careers within theatre arts. 

Kinky Boots
Broadway’s Kinky Boots is partnering with Cyndi Lauper’s foundation The True Colors Fund and The Door Community Center to create a sustainable youth program that empowers underserved youth (LGBTQ and allies) in the tri-state area to learn about and immerse themselves in career opportunities that exist in the theatre industry. Prior to April 4th the ‘Raise You Up’ Community will provide selected young people with a holistic day of shadowing professionals in all areas of the theatre world. Attendees will finish their day with the chance to experience their first Broadway show that evening.