With support from the California Arts Council, Playhouse Merced will sustain its year-round community theater productions, youth conservatory training, and outreach programs in Merced County—a culturally diverse, historically underserved region of California’s Central Valley. Grant funds will support core operational costs, including staff salaries, utilities, and production expenses, allowing the organization to offer affordable performances, need-based scholarships, and inclusive programming that reflects the community it serves. This funding will help Playhouse Merced strengthen organizational capacity, maintain accessibility for Title I school partners and older adult performers, and provide a welcoming space for creative expression and mental well-being. As one of the only producing theaters in the region, Playhouse Merced plays a vital role in ensuring local access to the arts and inspiring the next generation of performers, technicians, and creative leaders.