East West Players Receives Grant From Annenberg Foundation To Produce Artistic Works And Programs About Asian Pacific Experiences

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, has received a grant from Annenberg Foundation, a family foundation that is proud to support the arts, community, education, global issues, and development of nonprofit organizations.

The grant will allow EWP to further its mission to produce artistic works and educational programs that foster dialogue exploring Asian Pacific experiences and to use theater to explore social and social justice themes. The grant will support EWP’s Mainstage productions and professional educational programs, including the Actors Conservatory program for professional enrichment; the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute, the nation’s most active Asian American play development program; and the Alliance of Creative Talent Services (ACTS), which provides career opportunities for actors, writers, and directors.

Snehal Desai, EWP’s Producing Artistic Director, says, “East West Players is so honored to receive this generous gift from the Annenberg Foundation, which enables us to be a home for communities whose voices and stories are not often heard or told on our stages. Without this continuing support from the Annenberg Foundation we would not be able to do the work that we do. This season, we’ve reached a record number of patrons and look forward to continue to affect change in our communities through impactful and socially relevant productions regarding the Asian American experience.”

Over its remarkable 52-year history, East West Players has produced over 226 plays and musicals. EWP’s 2017-18 season, The Company We Keep, features notable artistic partnerships and co-productions that reflect on and refract a wide range of Asian Pacific Islander (API) experiences as seen through the lens of gender, race, and sexuality. EWP not only ensures that API stories are told, but works to increase access, inclusion, and representation in the economy.