NEFA Announces Awards for New Works in Ensemble & Devised Theater

(Boston, MA) The New England Foundation for the Arts announces $840,000 in eight National Theater Project Creation and Touring awards. 

The National Theater Project (NTP) promotes the development and touring of artist-led, ensemble, and devised theater works. Modeled on NEFA’s National Dance Project, NTP functions as a full system of support for devised theater, which in addition to funding, animates an informed, interactive network of producing theaters, presenters, and ensembles.  

Since the first round of NTP grants in 2010, NEFA has infused over $6.31 million into the field through the program. To date, 57 new theater works have been supported through Creation and Touring grants; touring of those works has reached 43 different states across the U.S. NTP projects have toured to large and small arts presenters, military bases, universities, regional theaters, and festivals. NEFA’s National Theater Project is made possible with lead funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and with additional support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

“We are proud to support this group of visionary artists, who represent the tremendous aesthetic diversity and vitality of theater today. We are grateful to our long-term funding partners at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and for new support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Their commitments enable NTP projects to reach communities and support theater makers across the United States,” said NEFA executive director Cathy Edwards.

Grants for this round ranged from $100,000-$110,000. In addition to the Creation and Touring grant, each recipient will also receive $10,000 towards capacity building for touring the project. The eight grant recipients are:

1. Andrew Schneider Performance, Brooklyn, NY, for NERVOUS/SYSTEM
2. Combat Hippies, Miami, FL, for AMAL
3. Dahlak Brathwaite, San Francisco, CA, for Try/Step/Trip
4. Dancing Earth, Santa Fe, NM, and San Francisco, CA, for Between Underground and Skyworld (BTW US)
5. Last Call, New Orleans, LA, for Alleged Lesbian Activities
6. Lucky Plush Productions, Chicago, IL, for Rink Life
7. Progress Theatre, Missouri City, TX, for Plantation Remix
8. Sandglass Theater, Putney, VT, for Babylon: Journeys of Refugees

In addition, NTP will award Finalist Development grants totaling $40,000 to assist in further development of four applicant projects.

“These are eight amazing and important projects, reflecting the diversity of artists and issues in today’s theater. This is theater that is relevant and engaging, and we are very happy to be able to offer NTP support,” said Quita Sullivan, program director for theater at NEFA.

Organizations interested in presenting any of these works – or works from previous grant rounds – may apply for an NTP Presentation Grant after contacting its tour coordinator; learn about all the projects with NTP touring support available on a searchable directory on www.nefa.org. NTP also provides travel support for arts presenters interested in seeing projects. Contact program director Quita Sullivan at qsullivan@nefa.org or 617.951.0010 x531 to learn more.

About NEFA
NEFA invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation. NEFA accomplishes this by granting funds to artists and cultural organizations; connecting them to each other and their audiences; and analyzing their economic contributions. NEFA serves as a regional partner for the National Endowment for the Arts, New England’s state arts agencies, and private foundations. Learn more at www.nefa.org. 

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