Community Spotlight: Gulf Coast Community Foundation Awards Grant to FSU/Asolo Conservatory

BRADENTON – The Gulf Coast Community Foundation recently awarded the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training $5,000 towards its “Secure the Future” campaign, an annual initiative that helps cover the cost of first-year tuition for Conservatory students, supports the efforts of nationally recognized faculty, and is used to hire renowned artists for supplemental workshops.

“We’re very grateful to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for this capstone grant,” says Greg Leaming, the Conservatory’s director. “It’s the final push we needed to secure our $25,000 matching campaign.” Leaming explains that the impact of the grant will be multiplied thanks to four dedicated Conservatory supporters - Doug Bradbury, Joel Fedder, Charlie Huisking and Bill Yandow.

“They’ve banded together and pledged to match every dollar that’s donated to the Conservatory - up to $25,000,” he says. “This $5,000 grant represents the final amount needed for our matching campaign. It shows the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s deep commitment to the future of the American theater.”

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s 2013-2014 season includes The School for Lies by David Ives (October 29-November 17, 2013); Loot by Joe Orton (December 31, 2013-January 19, 2014); How I learned to Drive by Paula Vogel (February 18-March 9, 2014); and Antigone by Jean Anouilh (April 8-27, 2014).

About The Conservatory

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training is a celebrated three-year graduate program culminating in a master of fine arts degree. For more than 30 years, tens of thousands of actors from across the continent have auditioned for admission. A maximum of 12 students are admitted each year. In their second year, the students perform in the Cook Theatre, a 161-seat space designed to create an intimate experience for the audience and actors. Third-year students are seen on the Mertz Stage working with the Asolo Rep's professional actors in exciting and significant roles. For more information, visit www.asolorep.org.

About Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Together with its donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation transforms our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, it has welcomed more than 550 charitable funds established by generous donors and invested more than $157 million in the community through grants in the areas of health and human services, education, civic and economic development, arts and culture, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.