For Immediate Release:

Contact – Brian J. Critchley, Director of Marketing

732.345.1400 x830

bcritchley@trtc.org                                                      

$10,000 AWARDED TO TWO RIVER THEATER COMPANY

BY OCEANFIRST FOUNDATION

Funding To Support Programs That Increase Arts Participation & Accessibility

Red Bank, NJ – Two River Theater Company has been awarded a $10,000 grant by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River. The grant will fund various Two River Theater Company programs that increase participation among audiences typically underserved by arts organizations – teenagers, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

With support from a 2003-04 grant from OceanFirst Foundation, Two River established a No Seats Empty Program, an extensive outreach initiative providing tickets and transportation to school districts in need of assistance to make live theater a part of their curricula. By the 2004-2005 Season, the No Seats Empty Program accounted for sixty-five percent (65%) of Two River's student audience, including students from Monmouth County's Asbury Park, Red Bank, Keyport, Marlboro, Neptune, Long Branch and Keansburg school districts as well as Ocean County’s Lakewood and Toms River school districts. OceanFirst’s continued funding of this program will allow more schools in Monmouth & Ocean County to attend live theater performances throughout the coming year—Two River plans on increasing the number of student performances during the 2006-07 Season by at least 25%.

Two River Theater Company’s Senior Citizen Matinee offerings are also sponsored in part by OceanFirst Foundation. During the current 2005-06 Season, Two River is offering a total of five senior matinee performances for patrons over 65 at deeply discounted rates. For these dates, senior groups receive even larger price reductions and additional services, including discounted meals at area restaurants. The grant award will allow Two River to expand its programming for seniors by doubling the number of performances in 2006-07 and adding post-show discussions with actors and directors following many of the dates for the coming season.

Funds from OceanFirst Foundation will also support Two River Theater’s outreach programs for patrons with disabilities. Two River has become a statewide leader in providing accessibility programs for patrons with disabilities and currently offers assisted listening devices for all performances, sign interpreting & audio description on select dates, discounted tickets & subscriptions for patrons with disabilities, and pre-show sensory seminars that allow patrons who are visually impaired an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the stage elements of a performance through the use of their other senses.

Founded in 1996, OceanFirst Foundation is the first foundation in the country to be established by a bank as part of an initial public offering, with a grant of $13.4 million in OceanFirst common stock.  OceanFirst Foundation provides grants to local organizations such as Two River Theater Company that make a real difference in the lives of their customers and neighbors.

Two River Theater Company, under the direction of Executive Producer Robert M. Rechnitz and Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, was founded in 1994 as Monmouth County's first professional regional theater in 30 years. As one of New Jersey's leading regional theatres, Two River Theater Company is a member of Theatre Communications Group and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

For more information on Two River Theater Company’s Education Programs, Senior Matinees, or programs for patrons with disabilities, call 732.345.1400.

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