BE INVOLVED!

ARTISTS NEXT DOOR: THE BUTLER/KOGOD CAMPAIGN
FOR ARTIST AND APPRENTICE HOUSING

Artists Next Door is The Studio Theatre’s capital campaign to purchase, renovate and maintain sixteen apartment units to be used for housing visiting artists and full-year apprentices. This campaign is named to honor the dedication and service of Susan L. Butler, Chair of the Board of Trustees 2001-2006, and the generous commitment of Arlene and Robert Kogod.

For thirty years, The Studio Theatre has produced the best in contemporary theatre in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s now-flourishing Logan Circle community. In addition to showcasing Washington’s finest theatre artists, The Studio Theatre is committed to bringing the nation’s outstanding actors, directors, designers and playwrights to Washington to enrich the theatrical landscape of our nation’s capital and to provide audiences with varied and unique programming. Bringing out-of-town artists to Washington, D.C. facilitates artistic exchange and collaboration with Washington’s own artistic community. In addition, works that would otherwise not be available to Washington’s audiences are made possible.

The Studio Theatre Apprenticeship Program annually hosts six to eight full-year apprentices in all departments of The Studio Theatre. Typically college students or recent graduates, young people come to the Studio to gain valuable experience in Production, Literary Management, Stage Management, Development, Business/Technology and Public Relations/Marketing. The apprentice experience at The Studio Theatre is both professional and rigorous, offering close contact with seasoned Studio Theatre Leadership and exposure to all aspects of a major not-for-profit theatre.

The Studio Theatre’s Logan Circle neighborhood recently experienced an explosion of growth with new stores, apartments and restored townhouses springing up in this previously desolate area. As a result, rapidly escalating housing costs in the city have begun to endanger The Studio Theatre’s ability to accommodate visiting artists. In response to these changing conditions, The Studio Theatre announced this bold new housing initiative, Artists Next Door.

In the 2005-2006 season alone, actors, directors, designers and playwrights from New York City, San Francisco, and other parts of the United States, as well as Great Britain and Scotland, have come to work on productions at the Studio. The Studio’s annual audience of nearly 100,000 patrons from the Washington, DC region and beyond experienced works created by a vast array of artists. Through Artists Next Door, the Studio will continue its tradition of bringing talent from across the nation to Washington audiences.

In addition, Artists Next Door will secure the future and sustainability of the Studio’s flourishing apprenticeship program. Adding housing to the program will ensure that it remains available to all qualified applicants, regardless of financial situation or geographic locale. As a result of Artists Next Door, a wide breadth of young adults nationwide will be able to benefit from the hands-on experience available through The Studio Theatre Apprenticeship Program.

Your generous contributions to this campaign will ensure the artistic excellence of The Studio Theatre’s productions and will be essential in allowing bright and motivated young adults from all over the country to apprentice at The Studio Theatre regardless of their financial situations.

Thank you for your donation!