NEW YORK CITY: Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the nationwide group for theatre and the writer of American Theatre, has introduced the launch of the Funds for the Dolls: Elevating Trans Girls of Coloration within the Performing Arts and Theatre. In its pilot spherical, Funds for the Dolls will award grants starting from $1,000 to $10,000 to at the very least 5 trans girls of coloration (TWOC) within the performing arts and theatre and “uplift their pleasure, artistry, audacity, and tenacity,” in line with an announcement. Funds for the Dolls will put money into TWOC seeking to develop their artistry additional and who’ve a dedication to their craft. The Fund is being led internally by TCG board members Merrique Jenson and Qween Jean, with Monica Beverly Hillz (activist, mannequin and All Star from RuPaul’s Drag Race) as ambassador. The unrestricted funds can be utilized for something, together with a performing arts venture, important wants equivalent to shelter, or the recipient’s gender-affirming care.
“The Funds for Dolls will help and uplift our sisters, particularly those that have used survival intercourse work and different types of hustle to ascertain their efficiency artwork or break into the theatre world,” stated Merrique Jenson, vice chair of TCG’s board, founder and govt director of Transformations, and director of SocialScope Productions, in an announcement. “The Fund For Dolls is aware of {that a} neighborhood showcase is theatre, a communal ritual is theatre, efficiency artwork is theatre, a drag present is theatre, and intercourse work is theatre. Trans girls of coloration have been main the way in which with their artistry for generations, and that is just the start of TCG honoring and supporting that work.”
“I used to be honored to be requested by Merrique and Qween Jean to function an envoy for Funds for the Dolls,” stated Monica Bevery Hillz in an announcement. “Merrique and Qween Jean have been creating areas of belonging for trans girls of coloration, place the place we will love ourselves and attain our full potential. I do know the Funds for the Dolls can have an identical impression, as a result of when the ladies get the help we deserve, there’s nothing we will’t do.”
“TCG’s mission is to steer for a simply and thriving theatre ecology, and meaning centering these most impacted by systemic oppression,” stated Karena Fiorenza, interim chief govt officer, TCG, in an announcement. “Whereas Funds for the Dolls acknowledges the fact of that oppression, we’re targeted on uplifting trans pleasure, abundance, and artistry, and backing that dedication with monetary sources. Which means placing cash within the pockets of TWOC and trusting they know greatest use it. We’re deeply grateful for the management of and partnership with Merrique and Qween Jean in constructing this program, and honored to have Monica serving as this system’s ambassador.”
This program goals to uplift BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and folks of coloration) trans girls within the U.S. theatre and acknowledge their work to create a greater, extra equitable theatrical panorama. Along with the unrestricted funds, TCG will present nationwide visibility throughout their communications channels, together with this journal.
The appliance course of for Funds for the Dolls will unfold over the next timeline:
- Fri., June 14, 4-5 p.m. ET: Information session (register right here)
- Tues., June 25-Fri., Jun 28, 3-6 p.m. ET: Ask the Dolls (one-on-one workplace hours) (register right here)
- Fri., July 5, 11:59 p.m. ET: Software deadline
- Mon., Aug. 5: Applicant notification
- Mon., Aug. 12-Tues., Aug. 13: Ultimate interviews
Funds for the Dolls is meant to honor the numerous cultural contributions of trans girls of coloration and to help them in no matter they should thrive whereas additionally pushing again towards the report ranges of hostile laws and systemic violence they face. Whereas there are some funding sources for trans artists, there are only a few grants particular for trans girls, not to mention trans girls of coloration, in U.S. theatre. Funders and donors fascinated by supporting the expansion of Funds for the Dolls ought to contact Danika Tablante, TCG’s Institutional Philanthropy Supervisor, at [email protected].
In alignment with their mission to help the management growth and capability constructing for trans girls of coloration, Transformations—a trans-led Midwest- and Ozark-based group—is a proud strategic associate on this new initiative. Most of the girls main Transformations have deep connections to performing arts, storytelling, media & leisure, and intercourse employee rights advocacy. Be taught extra right here: https://transformationskc.org/
Funds for the Dolls is a part of TCG’s dedication, made of their 2020 strategic plan, to middle BIPOC theatre artists, organizations, and communities, with particular consideration to LGBTQI+ and incapacity identities inside these communities. Over the previous few years, that dedication has been operationalized throughout TCG’s packages and companies, together with “Trans Voices Lead the Means,” a devoted concern of American Theatre; roundtables with transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) theatre staff; advocacy to finish anti-trans laws; and convening classes created with and for TGNC folks. This dedication will proceed to increase programmatically going ahead.
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