Jonathan Larson Grants

The Jonathan Larson Grant is administered by the American Theatre Wing, a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing excellence in theatre through education, advocacy, and support of emerging artists. The grant was established in honor of Jonathan Larson, the composer and playwright best known for the musical Rent, whose work reshaped contemporary musical theatre. Following his untimely death, the grant was created to continue his legacy by investing in early-career musical theatre writers who demonstrate strong artistic potential and commitment to the field. The purpose of the grant is to provide unrestricted financial support to composers, lyricists, and librettists working in musical theatre. Unlike project-based funding, the award is not tied to a specific production or deliverable. Instead, it serves as a general investment in the artist’s creative development, allowing recipients to allocate funds toward any activity that advances their work. This flexible funding model is intended to support long-term career sustainability and enable artists to bring original musical theatre works from concept to realization. Eligibility is focused on emerging professionals who are actively working in musical theatre. Applicants may apply as individuals or as collaborative teams consisting of composers, lyricists, and librettists. While United States citizenship is not required, applicants must be eligible to work in the United States and must reside or work there at least part-time. Submitted work must primarily be in English. Applicants must not be current students, as the grant is not intended to function as a scholarship, and prior recipients are not eligible to reapply. The application process is conducted through an online portal and requires several components. Applicants must submit general information, an artistic statement outlining their career achievements and goals, and a creative curriculum vitae detailing past productions, workshops, and honors. A comprehensive work sample list is also required, along with selected materials such as audio recordings, lyric sheets, dramatic context descriptions, and a libretto excerpt where applicable. Letters of recommendation are optional but permitted. Applicants must tailor submissions to their discipline, ensuring that materials align with whether they are applying as a composer, lyricist, librettist, or team. Evaluation is based on artistic merit, demonstrated talent, and commitment to a career in musical theatre. Selection committees review submitted materials to identify artists with the potential to contribute meaningfully to the evolution of the art form. Emphasis is placed on originality, quality of work samples, and the applicant’s trajectory within the field. The grant does not prioritize financial need but rather focuses on recognizing and supporting promising creative voices. For the current cycle, applications are open with a stated deadline of September 4. The program operates on an annual basis, with a single application window each year. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent. While specific award notification timelines are not publicly detailed, the grant is traditionally awarded within the following year. There are no restrictions on how recipients use the funds, reinforcing the program’s goal of empowering artists to pursue their creative vision without constraint. Administrative oversight and funding for the program are supported by the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation and the Larson family, ensuring long-term sustainability. Additional support for recording-related grants is provided by external partners. The American Theatre Wing maintains responsibility for managing the application process and communicating with applicants. General inquiries can be directed to the organization via its official contact channels.

Submit strongest representative work samples that demonstrate range and originality; align materials strictly with your discipline; prioritize quality and artistic voice over quantity