Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: La Jolla Playhouse
Legal Name (if Different): Theatre and Arts Foundation of San Diego County
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12039
City: La Jolla
State: CA
Postal Code: 92039
Main Phone: 858-550-1070
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://lajollaplayhouse.org/
Employer ID Number: 951941117
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/27/2025
Requested Amount: 5000

Project Title: Technical Theatre Training for Under-Resourced Youth
Project Description:

Each summer, La Jolla Playhouse’s Technical Theatre Training program equips under-resourced youth – including those incarcerated, transient, homeless, or in foster care – with vocational skills that increase opportunity. Young people thrive when provided resources to learn, grow, and build independence. Students with in-depth arts involvement tend to be more tolerant and empathetic, have better careers, show higher civic engagement, and are 15% more likely to attend a selective four-year college (National Endowment for the Arts).

Through this program, the Playhouse provides at-risk youth a creative outlet for self-expression, hands-on experience in theatre production and design, and mentorship that builds transferable skills. Students develop problem-solving, collaboration, and risk-taking abilities in a safe, supportive environment. Longterm, they gain confidence, community belonging, and an understanding of the arts’ societal impact. Now in its eleventh year, the program has served more than 400 students, with 40 participants annually. Over three to five weeks during the summer, students participate in week-long intensive sessions aligned with Common Core and National Core Arts Standards, training seven hours daily on the La Jolla Playhouse campus.

The Summer 2025 session of Technical Theatre Training has an anticipated budget of $60,050. Each session is facilitated by a San Diego-based Playhouse Artist Instructor and a $5,000 grant from the Hermanowski Foundation would cover a portion of the fees for the lead teaching artists. Mentorship between students and teaching artists is key, fostering engagement, inclusion, and creative growth. Beyond the professional experience that each teaching artist brings to the program, students are mentored by artists at the top of their field—witnessing their skills and learning from their expertise

Total Project Budget: 60050

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Goodwin Family Memorial Trust – $5,000 (committed) TJX Foundation – $5,000 (potential) La Jolla Kiwanis Foundation – $3,000 (potential) Thomas C. Ackerman Foundation – $10,000 (potential)

Project Duration: 3 weeks for youth, June-July 2026
Geographical Area Served: San Diego County
Age Group To Be Served: High School, 14-18

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Dylan
Contact Last Name: Gervais
Contact Title: Grants Specialist
Contact Phone: 858-228-3088
Contact Email: ljpgrants@ljp.org