Modeled on NEFA’s National Dance Project, NTP not only provides funding but also animates an informed, interactive network of producing theaters, presenters, and ensembles that promote the funded projects and the development of the field as a whole. Projects are supported through Creation & Touring Grants, which fund creation and preparation for touring of devised projects and Presentation Grants, which are awarded to presenters by the artist and support up to 50% of the artistic fee for NTP projects.
NTP supports work that reflects the evolving environment for theater, including but not limited to projects that:
- Support the creation/development and U.S.* touring of new artist-led devised, ensemble theater works that demonstrate excellence in the artists’ practice. NTP uses the following definitions in consideration of grant applications:
- Ensemble: A group of two or more people committed to working together over time to develop a distinct practice and body of work.
- Devised: A process of co-creation and joint discovery that prioritizes generative artists, which may include but does not prioritize playwrights, is iterative, and results in original work.
- Support work that contributes to the cultural and aesthetic diversities of today’s theater. NEFA values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive world, which we interpret as all people having fair access to the tools and resources they need to realize creative and community endeavors. We acknowledge structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, language, culture, nation of origin, and geography, and strive to counter those inequities in our work.
- Reflect meaningful partnerships with presenters, producers, and other organizations that are involved in the development, promotion, and/or touring of the new work.
- Offer the potential to deepen engagement because of the work’s relevance, originality, and/or timeliness.
- Produce a viable plan for touring the supported work in multiple communities in the U.S. and its territories*.
- *NEFA defines U.S. as all 50 of the United States, Washington, D.C., as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
Theater artists apply to receive $110,000 in funds to support both the development and U.S. touring of artist-led, ensemble, devised theater projects. Grants support the development of the project, costs and incentives needed to establish a plan for touring, and the tour itself. This support will come in the form of three direct payments to grantees: $50,000k at the time of contract signing; a $30,000k interim payment; and a $30,000k final payment. See “Requirements & Reports for Grant Recipients” for detailed reporting and allocation schedule.
Eligibility:
- The National Theater Project will consider projects submitted by U.S.*-based theater ensembles. Only one application per ensemble or lead artist will be accepted per year. See “Funding Criteria” for definition of ensemble for the purposes of this grant.
- Ensembles must have nonprofit status or a contract with a nonprofit fiscal agent by the final application deadline.
- This grant supports the creation of new work. To ensure that the project is still in development at the time the grant is awarded, projects must be in development through at least September 1, 2025.
- This grant supports the sharing of new work across multiple communities, groups, and audiences within the U.S. To ensure this grant supports the sharing of new work, projects must be ready to tour by May 31, 2026. See “Funding Criteria” for definition of tour/touring and tour ready for the purpose of this grant.
All projects must have one committed, U.S.-based development partner relationship.**
Returning Artists: All NTP-supported presentations are completed and it has been one year since the last NTP-supported presentation. - Applicant must be able to fulfill the Requirements & Reports for Grant Recipients if awarded.
DEADLINE: Thursday, October 10
