Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: The Theater Project
Legal Name (if Different): The Theater Project a NJ N0nprofit Corp
Also Known As: The Theater Project
Mailing Address: 676 Lexington Rd
City: Union
State: NJ
Postal Code: 07083
Main Phone: 9088098865
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.TheTheaterProject.org
Employer ID Number: 45-2256837
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/19/2026
Requested Amount: $2,500

Project Title: Outreach: Theater Arts Education
Project Description:

The Theater Project’s programs for young people include workshops and tutorials in playwriting, acting and improvisation. The ARK summer program (Actors Reading with Kids) pairs actor/tutors one-to-one with young readers for reading enrichment.
TTP seeks out partnerships in low to moderate income communities. With arts education the first casualty of tight budgets, TTP offers on-site theater education classes at schools and organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, at no cost to the host organization.
Acting workshops build self-confidence and offer outlets of self-expression to young people left out of sports programs. Playwriting activities build communication/critical thinking skills in ways unparalleled by most school assignments.
In TTP’s annual Young Playwrights Competition, now in its 24th year, NJ high school students are challenged to write short plays. Twelve students are recognized each year, and four prize-winning plays are performed by professional actors at the awards ceremony.
We have been able to encourage participation by sending volunteer adult authors from our adult Playwrights Workshop to do one-time “how to get started” sessions with English classes in area high schools. After the awards have been announced, volunteers also offer a one-time script consultation tutorial to any interested entrant in the competition,
We would like to expand this program by offering four free 6-session playwriting workshops to schools and organizations; grant support would stipend the adult leader.
As requests for individual tutorials have increased each year, the need to also provide honoraria for playwright-mentors has become clear.
Project Benefit
Motivating students to write material more complex than a text message becomes more challenging each day as reliance on social media and AI looms larger and larger.
The Theater Project’s program has supported students who have gone on to careers in the arts, while strengthening communication skills for all the participants in any field.

Total Project Budget: $14,500

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Friends of the Union Library (committed), Corporate sponsorships, grants and individual donations

Project Duration: July1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Geographical Area Served: Central New Jersey
Age Group To Be Served: 8-18 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr
Contact First Name: Mark
Contact Last Name: Spina
Contact Title: Artistic Director
Contact Phone: 9739194818
Contact Email: markanthonyspina@thetheaterproject.org