Shubert Foundation, SCTA honor Trustus Theatre

COLUMBIA, SC – Trustus Theatre has received three major awards from prominent national and statewide arts organizations: a national grant award from the Shubert Foundation, the South Carolina Theatre of Distinction Award from the South Carolina Theatre Association, and SCTA’s Founders Award, which was presented to Trustus Artistic Director Dewey Scott-Wiley.

Trustus received a $15,000 grant from the Shubert Foundation for the 2014-15 theatre season. The Foundation provides general operating support for not-for-profit professional theatre and dance companies across the nation. The grant award was based on a strong track record of artistic achievement, administrative strength and fiscal responsibility.

In addition, SCTA presented Trustus with the first South Carolina Theatre of Distinction Award.  In presenting the award, Professional Theatre Division Chair Anne Tromsness described Trustus as a “theatre that became, very quickly, a safe place for exploration and expression of the political, the personal, and all things human. Its art inspired thought, and thought inspired action. It quickly became a center for embracing the counterpoint – and giving visibility to perspectives and experiences that had traditionally been marginalized.”

Dewey Scott-Wiley’s SCTA Founders Award is presented annually to the person or organization judged to have done the most for theatre in South Carolina during the preceding year. Dewey is the professional division chair of the Southeastern Theatre Conference and is an associate professor of theatre at USC-Aiken. Most recently at Trustus she directed “See Rock City and Other Destinations” and will be directing the 2014 Trustus’ Playwright’s Festival winner “The Velvet Weapon,” in August.

“We are honored to be awarded a grant that recognizes not only the theatre’s contribution to professional theatre in the U.S., but also the development of new work, which continues to be a vital part of the mission at Trustus,” said Scott-Wiley.  “Being acknowledged by The Shubert Organization in this way is a profound affirmation of our longstanding commitment to producing important new American theatre.”  For more information, see http:// www.trustus.org.