A Better Shot at State Grants

All three Orange County theater troupes seeking state funding have been given stronger grant recommendations this year than last by a California Arts Council advisory panel.

The panel, which met last week in Sacramento, upped the rankings used to determine grant amounts: Costa Mesa’s South Coast Repertory went from 4-minus to 4 (the top score on a 1-to-4 scale); and Laguna Playhouse and Fullerton Civic Light Opera both went from 3-minus to 3.

The higher ranks do not necessarily mean larger grants, because the CAC’s overall budget has not yet been determined. Last year SCR was awarded $57,765, Fullerton Civic Light Opera received $4,705, and Laguna Playhouse was awarded $5,984.

The panel also gave the Santa Ana-based Orange County Crazies comedy group, in its first try for a CAC grant, a 2-minus. Typically, the CAC gives funds only to groups ranked 3 or above.