The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation announced the recipients of the first-ever BEST (Building Excellence in Small Theatre) Awards. Award winners (listed alphabetically) are 24th Street Theatre, Circle X Theatre Co., Cornerstone Theater Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre, TeAda Productions and The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Recipients were selected based upon their ability to express their distinct approaches to creating an artistic product and making that work accessible to the community. Additionally, the Foundation sought to support dynamic organizations who demonstrated long-term thinking about their sustainability. “We were pleasantly overwhelmed by the quality and sheer number of applications we received,” comments Sarah Lyding, Executive Director of the Biller Family Foundation. “There is a void of grants available for these smaller companies, which are producing the majority of theatrical work in Los Angeles.” “These organizations contribute to the cultural fabric of our community and merit more attention,” notes Sheri Biller, President of the Biller Family Foundation. “We hope to make this an annual funding opportunity that will help these theatres engage more diverse audiences and continue to strive for artistic excellence.” Grants were awarded to non-profit theatre organizations based in Los Angeles County with an annual operating income between $100,000 and $1,500,000. This was the first open application grant administered by the Biller Family Foundation, and over 40 applications were received for the 2011 BEST Awards. The awards, which ranged in amount from $7,500 to $10,000, are to be used toward general operating expenses for artistic activities between November 2011 and June 2012. While continuing its focus on granting theatre access to young audiences, the Biller Family Foundation is proud to be expanding its reach within the theatre community. The 2012 BEST Award application will be available in July 2012. The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation works as a catalyst to advance community programs that educate and energize individuals to both achieve personal goals and inspire others. The Biller Family Foundation funds four initiatives: K-12 Public Education, Theatre Enrichment, BankWork$TM and Supportive Care. Grants are made primarily in the Los Angeles and Seattle areas. The Foundation was founded in 2001 by Sheri and Les Biller. For more information, please visit The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation’s website: www.billerfamilyfoundation.org. Follow on Twitter @BillerFamFdtn or on Facebook. Media Contact for The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation: Katie Mackenzie Phone: (310) 443-3457 Email: Katie@billerfamilyfoundation.org