Grant is designed to boost Transylvania theater program's community involvement

The university's theater has produced impressive stage performances including works by the American Shakespeare Center.
The university's theater has produced impressive stage performances including works by the American Shakespeare Center. | File photo
Transylvania University was recently honored with a grant for $204,769 from the Dixon family through the Dixon/White Theater Fund.

The funds will allow the theater to offer such features as free tickets and workshops that will increase community involvement. It will also facilitate Project One, a university plan to make the campus more welcoming and accepting of diversity.

“These funds offer students co-curricular experiences that complement our work in the classroom and in production," Michael Dixon said.  "For example, we’re initiating a lecture series to address issues of diversity in world theater. And each year we’ll provide funding for students to travel somewhere in the world to experience theatrical events in other cultures. It’s definitely mind-expanding, and it could be mind-blowing."

The university's theater has produced impressive stage performances through the work of storyteller Kevin Kling, the American Shakespeare Center and Kristi Hughes, a German puppet performer.

"These funds provide incredible new opportunities for Transylvania theater students," Program Director Sullivan White said. "This project gives students the opportunity to observe and work alongside professionals who are pursuing careers in the American theater."