FOUNDATION ACTIVITIES WILL
LAUNCH WHEN APPROPRIATE.
Over 33,000 people watched our Sordid Livestream last year! We had over 660 individual donations. Direct donations raised over $50,000 and the auctions raised over $25,000! 100% of the proceeds were split evenly among the 23 non-profit theatre partners of the Foundation. We sent out checks totaling over $3,000 to each of these incredible theatre companies! We believe theatre is a vital part of community, and we want to be sure it's there for these companies when they can return to putting on shows.
In consideration of the pandemic and the difficulties facing artists and arts communities, we will not activate the foundation until it's appropriate to turn attention to events and fundraising. We appreciate all of your early support and look forward to that day!
Thank you! - Del Shores, Emerson Collins & the Board of Directors
In April near the beginning of the pandemic, Del had a conversation with the artistic director of one of the foundation's theatre partners. They explained that the challenges of the pandemic have put their company's viability in jeopardy. Since Del started his career in, and always returns to, the theatre, he was inspired to figure out a way to use our skills to do something to help theatre companies and also provide entertainement. This livestream benefit reading was the result of that. All of the stars we asked from across the Sordid franchise said an immediate yes!
A BRAND NEW
ADVENTURE
WRITER. DIRECTOR. PRODUCER.
TEACHER. STANDUP COMEDIAN.
MENTOR.
THE DEL SHORES FOUNDATION
FINDING AND FACILITATING SUCCESS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOUTHERN LGBTQ WRITERS
Del Shores has had an incredible career across theatre, film and television as a writer, director, producer, lecturer, teacher, coach and standup comedian. His most explosive hit, Sordid Lives, was inspired by his own coming out journey to his southern family. Since then, he has occupied a unique space as a gay southern writer, exploring and sharing the stories of people who often have not seen themselves reflected in the entertainment they consume.
In his success, Del realized that the hardest part is getting the opportunity, exposure and guidance it takes to open the first doors in the entertainment industry. We are starting the Del Shores Foundation as fans of his work who realize that the next generation of southern LGBTQ+ writers are out there, and we want to create programs that lead to real opportunities for those living in the south, just starting out.
We have many exciting ideas for programming, awards, grants and opportunities beginning in 2020! Watch this space for ways you can participate and volunteer.
**TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS ARE NOW OPEN**
ABOUT US
Meet our staff and board full of individuals with varied experiences coming together to build this foundation.
PARTNERS
Meet the film festivals and theatre companies that have come on board in our mission to create outlets for new work.
PROGRAMS
We're excitedly planning a big launch event as the first of what will be many programs for southern LGBTQ writers.
DONATE
A little or a lot, every dollar helps us create more programs, prizes and grants to support our mission to elevate LGBTQ writers.
“I’ve been involved for the last 25 years as a board member and donor for both local and national LGBTQ non-profits, and I personally feel that Del’s work like Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies has done more to change the minds of folks and to heal the hearts of others than anything I’ve ever seen.
So, what if we created a non-profit that would support screenwriters and playwrights from the South to do what Del has done all these years - changing minds and healing hearts through the arts with the goal of seeking out and supporting the next generation of LGBTQ voices. This will be the first national non-profit that provides a wide array of services to support the artistic voices of those who share stories like Del’s - like ours.”
- Stuart Bell, Founder and Board Co-Chair
