SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES
20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
LIVESTREAM BENEFIT - AUGUST 22
JOIN OUR NEW "AMBASSADORS CIRCLE" TODAY!! CLICK HERE.
DEL SHORES FOUNDATION WRITERS SEARCH
SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!
*ALL Foundation donations August 1-31 will go to the Sissies Livestream Benefit Fund to be split between our non-profit theatre partners and the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search.
The inaugural Del Shores Foundation Writers Search aims to elevate and expose the unknown voices of LGBTQ+ writers in the Southern United States. Our goal is to celebrate specifically queer voices telling whatever stories they have to tell. This Writers Search is open to stage plays, screenplays, short films and web series. SUBMISSIONS OPEN AUGUST 1-DECEMBER 31, 2021.
CASH AWARDS will be given to winners in three categories. We're also extremely excited to announce the creation of grants associated with each category to support moving the winning scripts on to being produced! A grant will be made available to professional theatre companies for the first production of the winning play. A grant will be made available to the production budget of the winning short/film. A grant will be made available to provide the winning screenplay writer the opportunity to meet with production companies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WRITERS SEARCH CLICK HERE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRODUCTION GRANTS SEE THE COMPLETE TERMS & CONDITIONS CLICK HERE.
SPECIAL EVENT FUNDRAISER
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 5PM Pacific!
We are hosting a livestream benefit celebration of the 20th anniversary of Del's play and film SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES!
The entire film cast joins for a reunion with special guests including Sissies from the original production, artistic directors from our partner theatres and live performances from the film soundtrack from DEBBY HOLIDAY and Tony winner LEVI KREIS!
All of the funds raised will be split between our non-profit theatre partners and funding the inaugural Del Shores Foundation Writers Search.
TO SET A YOUTUBE REMINDER TO TUNE IN
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 this year! Watch this space for ways you can participate and volunteer.
**TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS ARE OPEN**
ABOUT US
Meet Del and 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.
DONATE
A little or a lot, every dollar helps us create more programs, prizes and grants to support LGBTQ writers.
JOIN THE AMBASSADORS CIRCLE TODAY!
“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
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.
As the world carefully reopens, we are beginning the process of launching our first programming and activities. We will continue to support our artistic partners as we look to the best opportunities to begin pursuing our mission of finding, elevating and supporting LGBTQ southern writers. We're excited to have all of you on board for this journey!
Thank you! - Del Shores, Allison Bergman & the Board of Directors