Laura SturzaPerforming-arts groups are singing, and dancing,...
Laura Sturza
Performing-arts groups are singing, and dancing, the praises of the
city after it doled out 14 PerformArts Grants.
“We’re just ecstatic,” said Wendy Brock, director of Burbank High
School Dance. “The kids are so used to paying for everything
themselves or fund-raising that they don’t have as much time to focus
on learning techniques.”
Brock’s dance program was awarded $3,000 to assist 183 students.
The funds will help offset costs of costumes and transportation to
competitions, Brock said. Her program hosted a dance and drill
competition over the weekend that filled the school’s gym with 2,000
people, raising about $4,000.
Burbank Unified School District groups received seven grants, with
community organizations receiving another seven. They share $77,050
in funds awarded by the Park, Recreation and Community Services
Board.
At a time when programs in every city department risk funding cuts
from the state and the city, these grants will not be revoked, said
Garth Nelson, the city’s deputy director of recreation services.The
$2,000 awarded of $15,000 requested by the Gene Bua Theatre and the
Here’s to Life Foundation will pay for bringing at-risk teens to the
group’s production of “2nd Wind,” which is about an acting teacher
who helps troubled youth positively channel their anger through the
arts.
“We were a little disappointed, because we received more than
twice that much last year,” theater co-founder Toni Bua said.
“But I do understand that there are more people wanting grants and
more people deserving them. We’re thrilled to be supported by the
city at all, and very grateful.”