Cortland Repertory Theatre. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith).
The Cortland Repertory Theatre recently received two separate $10,000 grants through the New York State Council on the Arts’ Restart NY Rapid Live Performance Program.
CRT was one of 438 organizations awarded grants in the first of the four rounds of NYSCA’s program. The grant funds distributed by NYSCA will help assist in a total of 773 projects throughout the state.
The funds were awarded to organizations who have already received grants through NYSCA. CRT is in the second of a three-year program where it receives $12,000 per year from NYSCA to assist with the theatre’s summer and winter programs.
For CRT, producing artistic director Kerby Thompson said the grants will be put towards two of the theatre’s projects: the ongoing summer show season at the theatre’s pavilion at Dwyer Park, and for a concert this fall at CRT’s indoor facility in the city.
“We’re very fortunate,” Thompson said. “It was a really quick application and a quick turnaround. It’s good, especially at a time when we needed some funds, both for what we’re doing now and what we have coming up.”
CRT is holding its summer season outdoors to accommodate “everyone involved in the shows” during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thompson said. To accomplish the feat, Thompson said CRT rented a tent and built a wooden stage “from scratch.”
“Because of COVID and the fact we’re doing it outdoors, extra expenses come along that we normally wouldn’t have,” he added. “The grants came at a good time.”
Thompson said attendance has been strong at the summer shows.
“Our attendees and patrons are just happy to be back after being away from live theatre for a year and a half,” he added. “With these precautions we’re taking, everything we do is to protect and keep everyone safe.”
The second set of grant funds is for a concert during the fall season by Transit, an acapella group out of North Carolina that includes Cortland native Adam Decker.
Part of the funds will aid CRT in partnering with the Cortland Enlarged City School District’s vocal group in getting a chance to work with Transit, Thompson said.
Thompson added Transit is planning to perform three times in two days during a weekend in the fall.
“Without this funding we wouldn't be able to do the programs that we do and we wouldn’t be able to put on the shows we want to put on because it’s a huge amount that goes toward our seasons,” he said.
Thompson noted CRT is planning to apply for additional grant funding in the fall. The funding will provide assistance to capital improvements to CRT’s facilities at Dwyer Park and in the city.
CRT is looking to install an air ventilation system to the facilities’ current HVAC system, which cleans the air during “a time like COVID,” Thompson said.
Other projects in the works for CRT include installing touchless and toilets in the restrooms of each of its facilities.
“It will hopefully all come together soon,” Thompson said.
