James Clemens Theatre receives grant from Alabama Alliance for Arts Education

Students rehearse in Amy Patel’s advanced production class at James Clemens High School. James Clemens Theatre has received a grant from the advisory committee for arts education license plates. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – James Clemens High School Theatre has received a $4,000 grant from the advisory committee for arts education license plates.

Alabama Alliance for Arts Education works in partnership with the Alabama State Council on the Arts to select grant award winners each year, technical theatre teacher Michael ‘Clint’ Merritt said.

“These funds are pulled from dollars that are generated by the ‘Support the Arts’ license tag sales each year,” Merritt said. “Applicants can apply for up to $5,000.”

“On behalf of the entire committee, we are pleased to be able to provide support for programs that will enhance arts education and the arts in Alabama,” advisory committee chairman Dora James said in awarding the grant.

Merritt wanted to apply for a grant to buy software to allow technical theatre students to design sets with copies of Vectorworks, CAD software for scenic design. “When I arrived at James Clemens, I realized students didn’t have access to this software. I felt it was important to get them access to the technology,” he said.

To receive the grant, Merritt prepared an application narrative that outlined their plans to use funds and the benefits to James Clemens students and the community.

Also with the grant, a local scenic designer will train students to use the software technology.

“Students at James Clemens will understand how to design sets through a CAD program that is used throughout the professional theatre world,” Merritt said. “This software will better prepare them for college theatrical design challenges and design issues they could address in any field of study.”

Merritt is teaching four sections of technical theatre (beginning, intermediate and advanced) and serving as an additional media specialist with Daniel Whitt.

James Clemens Theatre will produce Aristophanes’ Greek comedy “The Frogs” on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. and again during Trumbauer District Theatre Festival, which James Clemens will host on Nov. 7-8.

For more information, visit Facebook/Alabama Alliance for Arts Education.