What the Award Can Support

Flexible Support. Meaningful Progress.

Every new musical has different needs. The Peter J. Hengel Award provides $25,000 to help an exceptional work take a meaningful next step in its development.

We work with the recipient to understand that next step and how the award can help make it possible. Support may fund a combination of activities and costs directly related to developing the musical.

Paying the Artists

Development depends on the time, skill, and imagination of many people. The award may support compensation for actors, musicians, directors, music directors, choreographers, dramaturgs, and other artistic collaborators involved in the work.

Bringing the Work into the Room

Hearing a musical aloud and exploring it with collaborators can reveal possibilities that are difficult to discover on the page. Support may help fund readings, workshops, rehearsal space, and developmental productions.

Developing the Script and Score

The award may support continued work on the book, music, and lyrics, as well as music preparation, arrangements, and orchestrations that help the team explore and develop the musical.

Exploring and Sharing the Work

Design exploration, recordings, and presentations may help artists test ideas, document their progress, and communicate the work to people involved in its continued development.

Making Participation Possible

Bringing the right people together can involve practical costs. The award may support development-related travel, housing, and other direct expenses needed to carry out the agreed development activity.

A Plan That Fits the Musical

These examples describe possibilities rather than a required formula. A musical may need a focused reading, an extended workshop, or a combination of writing time and collaborative exploration.

Our priority is a thoughtful use of the award that responds to the work’s needs and helps its creative team move forward.

The activities and use of funds are agreed with the Foundation as part of the award arrangements. Award funds support the musical’s development.