Independent grant-offering entity

WHISPERS THEATRE FUND FOR EMERGING ARTISTS aims to provide opportunities for new artists to produce theatrical projects of their own choosing.
It is not a competition. The artist can submit their project anytime during the year. The project will be discussed by the founders of the Whispers Theatre Fund for Emerging Artists, and if approved, the grant’s amount is then decided after an interview with the applicant.

ELIGIBILITY

This grant is open to any applicant holding a Lebanese citizenship (or being the child of a Lebanese mother), living in Lebanon and working in the theatre industry as a producer or director. This opportunity is restricted to emerging artists only, which means the project at hand should be their first or second theatre project at most, excluding any shows that were part of a school or university program.

GRANT COMMITTEE
The Committee is composed of the creators of Whispers Theatre Fund for Emerging Artists.
Lina Abiad: Beirut-based, multi-award-winning theatre director with over 30 years of experience in the industry.
Josyane Boulos: Renowned theatre producer based in Beirut with over 75 high-calibre, local and international plays and musical shows in Lebanon.
Agatha Ezzedine: Born and raised in Beirut, London-based actor, producer and writer. 15 years of experience in the film and theatre industry.

OBJECTIVE
Born from the online theatre project Whispers-Hamasat, the mission of Whispers Theatre Fund for Emerging Artists is to encourage, sponsor and promote innovative work in the theatre field, such that Lebanese theatre keeps flourishing despite the recent difficulties in the country. Individual artists working in theatre or performance arts are awarded a grant to help bring a project of their own choosing to life.

SHARE YOUR IDEA WITH US!
Do not hesitate to share your project! You are not alone and we are here to help.

APPLICATION
It’s a complicated time, so we’re keeping this application as simple as possible. Applications are submitted through this Google Form
and must include the following, which can be sent separately to whispers.hamasat@gmail.com:

● Text of the play (with the name of the author, the director and the producer)
● Detailed budget of the play
● Copy of Passport or ID
● A personal statement or any other supplemental materials that you feel may strengthen your application (optional)

▪ Applicants can apply once only in every 6-month period
▪ The range of funding is from 1 million LBP to 5 million LBP
▪ Applicants can expect a response after 10 business days
▪ Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis
▪ If the application is approved, the applicant will be invited for an interview with the committee, before the final decision is taken

LIST OF GRANTEES:
JULY 2021: “Hala3 the Musical” written and produced by Samer Hanna, directed by Sany Abdul Baki. Masrah Al Madina.
Cast:
Charbil Abi Nader
Tracy Younes
Maria Bechara
Layal El-Ghossain
Melissa Dano
Samer Hanna

Choreographed by Roy Azar
Lyrics written by Joanna Toubia
Singing and vocal coaching by Melissa Dano
Art Direction and Styling by Charbil Abi Nader
Light Design by Jean-Pierre Abdayem

MORE ABOUT WHISPERS THEATRE FUND FOR EMERGING ARTISTS

WHISPERS-HAMASAT PROJECT
It was an online play consisting of a series of monologues performed by Lebanese actors, directed by Lina Abiad, and produced by Josyane Boulos and Agatha Ezzedine. Tickets were available for the Lebanese audience through Antoine Ticketing and at www.antoineonline.com. Whereas tickets for international audiences were sold online on Eventbrite.
All proceeds of the first airing (November 7, 2020) went towards the rehabilitation of Beirut’s theatre scene following the blast of August 4th 2020. Below is the fund allocation breakdown.

Whispers-Hamasat International was aired a second time with French and English subtitles on April 24, 2021. All proceeds of the second airing are now being used to create the Whispers Theatre Fund for Emerging Artists.

WHISPERS THEATRE FUND FOR EMERGING ARTISTS WISHES TO THANK

Patrons
Robert Haddad
Alexandre Najjar
Chloé Nelkin

And all of those who bought tickets for the online play.

Whispers Theatre Fund for Emerging Artists would not have been possible without the volunteering work of:

The cast (by order of appearance)
Dory El Samarany
Hagop Der Ghougassian
Bernadette Houdeib
Sany Abdul Baki
Josyane Boulos
Agatha Ezzedine
Bshara Attalah
Badih Abou Chacra
Nada Abou Farhat
Samer Hanna
Talal El Jurdi
Rita Hayeck
Georges Khabbaz
Nadine Labaki

The authors:
Geraldine Brennan
Mike Elliston
Kim Hardy
Angela Harvey
John Jesper
Georges Khabbaz
Nadine Labaki
Kate Webster

Video director and editor Farah Chaya

Translation and adaptation by:
Dareen Shamseldin
Hiba Sleiman
Yara Zakhour

And the support of (by alphabetical order):
Ahmad Farchoukh
Alexa Bouldoukian
Bassem El Hajj
Carl Haddad
Chadi Fakhry
Chaker Bou Abdallah
Charbel Abi Nader
David Oryan
George Zaarour
Georges Abboud
Jacques Maroun
Marc Madi
Marco Samaha
Marwan Neaimeh
May Seigneurie
Muriel Aboulrousse
Nader Diab
Oussama Amiri
Racha Abi Aad
Rayan Chaya
Rita el Hajj
Riwa Houssami
Sabina Boutros
Sabine Depolla
Samer Hanna
Stephano Rouhana
Taha Shanouha
Tracy Younes
Twins Productions

All rehearsals and filming at The Black Box – Beirut