Syracuse Sun

New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) has awarded grants to two faculty members and three arts organizations at Syracuse University. Kathleen Wrinn, an assistant professor of musical theatre, and Soudabeh Moradian, an assistant professor of film, each received $10,000 for their respective projects.

Wrinn is recognized for her work in musical theater as a performer, lyricist, and librettist within the Department of Drama. She is also the founding artistic director of the New Works/New Voices initiative. Her grant-winning project is "The Bridge, a New Musical Epic," developed with Midnight Oil Collective and showcased at Yale University.

Moradian's expertise lies in directing, producing, screenwriting, and editing within the Department of Film and Media Arts. Her film "The Mermaid" delves into themes such as trauma, misogyny, and xenophobia.

Three university-affiliated arts organizations also received NYSCA grants. Syracuse Stage was awarded $49,500 to support general theater productions. Point of Contact (Punto de Contacto) secured $10,000 for general operations. Light Work received $10,000 for "The Portal’s Keeper," a project by artists Manual Molina Martagon and LaJuné McMillian. This project will involve a residency at Light Work in February and will focus on spirituality and emerging technologies through participatory exploration.

This year alone, NYSCA distributed $62 million in grants to individuals and organizations across various regions. Over the past six years, it has provided 302 capital grants totaling $92 million to support diverse art forms throughout New York State.

A scene from “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” was recently staged at Syracuse Stage.