As executive producer of Teatro Breve, Naíma Rodríguez plans on taking its original plays and programming outside Puerto Rico and into the diaspora in the rest of the United States.
Rodríguez says this money will not only help with rent costs but can also cover travel expenses for Teatro Breve’s actors and production crews to bring their work to the rest of the U.S.On Monday, the Latino Theater Company announced $9 million in grants to 52 Latino theaters in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Santa Fe, N.M., Denver, Providence, R.I.,and St. Paul, Minn.
Funds are also allotted to Latino theaters with lower budgets and that have offered programming for at least five years. The grants are between $25,000 and $60,000 for a minimum of two years. “These people are having second or third jobs, and they’re doing this just for the passion, and to serve the community,” Garay-English said.