The National Foundation
for Musical Theatre
Making
Musicals Happen
Who We Are
The National Foundation for Musical Theatre supports the development, production, and appreciation of musical theatre through investments in new works and the artists who create them.
As we look to 2027 and beyond, we are excited to announce a new direction for the Foundation—one that focuses our resources on making a meaningful investment in the creation and development of new musical theatre.
Beginning in 2027, the Foundation will make a significant annual investment directly in the development of a new musical through the Peter J. Hengel Award for New Musical Theatre.
Each year, one musical will receive a $25,000 award, providing its creative team with flexible resources to write, explore, refine, collaborate, and take the next meaningful step in the life of their work.
We believe extraordinary musicals begin with extraordinary ideas—and that artists need time, resources, and opportunity to discover what those ideas can become.