Creative Artists Agency and the Black Theater Coalition are jointly launching a new grant aimed at increasing the number of New York theater agents from historically underserved backgrounds.
The exchange will create a new talent pipeline in the American theater industry, where black executives make up less than 1% of the theater workforce, the organizations said Friday.
“CAA and BTC share a strong mission to address the lack of diversity in representation among theater professionals,” said Joe Machotta, CAA’s director of theater, in a statement. “Developing the next generation of artists and theater professionals has been a priority for CAA. This scholarship and the impactful work that BTC does will open doors for aspiring theater leaders for many years to come. We are proud to partner with BTC on this incredibly important work. ”
BTC will oversee the identification of fellows interested in becoming theatrical agents, using a network of artists, production companies and educational institutions. From there, the CAA Theater Department will recruit, train and promote those selected, supporting their professional growth.
Participants will also have access to industry leaders and professional development opportunities sponsored by BTC and its partner network..
“We are delighted to partner with CAA to increase the diversity of talent representation in the entertainment industry,” said Nick Whitcomb, director of programs at BTC, in a statement. “Our goal is to create hands-on experiences that help participants develop meaningful relationships, learn hard and soft professional skills.”, and identify a strong network for continued success. We look forward to this long-term partnership with CAA and we know that together we will make an impact on the industry.”
The partnership is among the most recent efforts by the Broadway community of BTC, a theater nonprofit founded in 2019 dedicated to increasing employment opportunities for black theater professionals, and the theater department at CAA. as part of the premier sports and entertainment agency’s bespoke talent series. Development programs that create opportunities for underrepresented communities.
All applicants must complete the standard CAA application and interview process to be considered for the fellowship, which accepts applications from August 18-31.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
