Art project extends Shakespeare's U.S. run

WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- A National Endowment for the Arts project looks to add dozens of companies to bring the plays of William Shakespeare to small and mid-size U.S. communities.

The NEA "Shakespeare in American Communities" program has reached 870 schools and 13 military bases in all 50 U.S. states.

"Most teenagers have never seen a professional play, attended a symphonic concert, seen an opera or a dance production, and have rarely visited a museum," NEA Chairman Dana Gioia told the Christian Science Monitor.

"We're trying to make an experience with great art available to kids across the United States no matter where they live or what their family income is," Gioia said.

The NEA was expected to announce that another 35 companies would join the national arts program next month.