Call for Applications: Jonathan Larson Grant (United States)

Jonathan Larson was a man who called the East Village home, relishing the bohemian life of downtown New York in the late eighties and early nineties. A life-long musical theatre lover, Larson worked tirelessly to develop his own musical vision for the stage. After nearly a decade of writing and composing, Larson’s rock musical “Rent,” a gritty urban update to Puccini’s “La Bohème,” premiered to enormous critical and popular success. The show reflected Larson’s personal story as a struggling artist living in Alphabet City, getting by with the support of his contemporaries.

Who should apply?

• Composers, lyricists and bookwriters who work in musical theatre are eligible to apply for the grants. They love that artists work in multiple disciplines, so if you compose legit opera, rock or symphonic soundscapes as well, that’s great but make sure that the work you submit for this grant is in the realm of musical theatre. They take all kinds of applicants. Individuals can apply as lyricists, composers, librettists, or any combination of the three. Collaborative teams may apply together as composer, lyricist, and/or librettist, or any combination of the three. If you work most often as a team, and have regular collaborators, your application will probably be strongest as a team. The Jonathan Larson Grants do not currently fund producing organizations.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Jonathan Larson Grants are intended to honor and recognize emerging musical theatre artists. Composers, lyricists, and librettists who work in musical theatre are the focus of the grants. ATW is committed to serving artists who are creating new, fully producible works for the theatre, and advancing the art form. The grants do not honor a specific piece or project.
• Grant awards are based on merit, and are intended for those artists with a demonstrated commitment and dedication to a career in musical theatre. Further, the grants are not intended to be scholarships, and artists applying for grants should be working professionally in the field.
• Applications are accepted in the following areas:
  • Individuals may apply as lyricists, composers, librettists, or any combination of the three.
  • Collaborative teams may apply together as composer, lyricist, and/or librettist, or any combination of the three.
  • Collaborators who work together regularly are strongly encouraged to apply as a team. If your collaborative team has more than three individuals, please contact the ATW offices.
• United States citizenship is not a requirement to receive the grant, but you must be eligible to work in the U.S. and reside/work here on at least a part-time basis and submitted work should be predominately in English.
• Artists may apply only once per grant cycle.  You may not apply as part of a team and as an individual applicant.
• Prior Jonathan Larson Grant Recipients are not eligible.

For more information, visit American Theatre Wing.