[ This Just In! ]

For Immediate Release
Date: August 31, 2004

Salvage Vanguard Labor Party Sets Fundraising Record for Salvage Vanguard Theater

AUSTIN, TX--Salvage Vanguard Theater raised approximately $15,000 in one night at its 2004 Salvage Vanguard Labor Party on August 28, a company record.

More than 220 people came to the event, which was held at the ALLGO Tillery Street Theater. Funds were raised through a cash bar, a silent auction and a "donate what you wish" pledge card. All funds raised will help pay the artists Salvage Vanguard works with in 2005.

"It was an incredible event for us," says SVT Artistic Director Jason Neulander. "It's awesome to see so much support for what we do."

At the Labor Party, Salvage Vanguard Theater announced two new paid Resident Company Members: designer Chase Staggs and actress Lee Eddy. Resident Company Members are paid a stipend of $5,000 per year to live and work as theater artists in Austin.

The program is the only one of its kind in Austin.

Staggs and Eddy join playwright Dan Dietz, composer Graham Reynolds, and actress Jenny Larson as company Residents.

Salvage Vanguard Theater also announced the launch of a new company program at the Labor Party: sponsored projects. Salvage Vanguard's sponsored projects are independent arts projects and programs that function under the company's nonprofit umbrella. In addition, the sponsored projects receive marketing, administrative, and fundraising support. In return, the sponsored projects promote Salvage Vanguard Theater.

The new sponsored projects are the contemporary classical music group Golden Hornet Project, headed by Graham Reynolds and Peter Stopschinski; the improv-based performance group Gnap! Theatre Projects, led by Shannon McCormick; the performance salon The Dionysium, produced by LB Deyo and Buzz Moran; and Ellen Bartel's Spank Dance Company.

"All in all the Labor Party was a great event," says Neulander. "We couldn't do it without such inspiring community support."

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