Grant Writing = Looking in the Mirror

Here at HHG Theatre, we love writing grants. (WHAAAAATTTTT????!!!!!) It is not, as some might consider, akin to eating your spinach or brussel sprouts, i.e. a painful chore that you know is good for you. I’ll never forget what Vancouver dance / theatre artist said about the subject: “Grant writing is cultural activism.”

As we’ve mentioned here earlier, HHG Theatre has a big announcement to make, which will describe a significant transition for our little company. Times of transition, as well all know, are times for reflection. And here at HHG Theatre, the founders Alexa Devine, Mindy Parfitt and myself (Sean Devine) have spent considerable time recently reflecting on who we are as a company and what we’re committed to. It’s a humbling and inspiring process.

As I sit and write a grant this very moment (yes, this is procrastination), I notice that I always leave the section about “Tell us about your company and what you stand for” until the very end. After the budget. After the project description. After confirming the artists. After the third, fourth, fifth and twentieth attempt at encapsulating just what it is that we want your money for!

Because it’s in this process of fine-tuning the articulation of an idea that I am re-affirmed of what it is that our company stands for…..

HHG Theatre’s work is about promoting societal change. We’re drawn to the overtly political and the intensely personal. We explore stories of violence, idealism, compassion, love, corruption and redemption, both within the individual and within community. And we do this through a collaborative process that supports boldly imaginative concepts, process-supported risk-taking, arduously-developed texts, and a unique collaborative process that brings out the best of our artists. Our vision moving forward is to create and share these brief and startling theatrical moments, in order that we might contribute to the vital dialogue at the root of society: “What is becoming of our world? What is my role in it? What can I do about it?”