The Peter J. Hengel Award for New Musical Theatre
ONE MUSICAL. ONE MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT. EVERY YEAR.
Each year, the National Foundation for Musical Theatre strives to select one exceptional new musical and make a $25,000 investment in its continued development. The Peter J. Hengel Award is designed to provide meaningful resources at a moment when those resources can help move an extraordinary new work forward.
MAKING MUSICALS HAPPPEN
The Purpose
Why This Award Matters
One musical. One meaningful investment.
Our $25,000 award helps an exceptional new musical take an important next step in its development.
MAKING MUSICALS HAPPEN
The Musical
What We Look For
Exceptional artistry. A meaningful next step.
We consider each musical’s artistic promise, voice, creative team, and readiness—and how our investment could help it move forward.
MAKING MUSICALS HAPPEN
The Process
How We Select a Musical
Invitation only. Thoughtful consideration.
We discover promising musicals through relationships across the theatre community, review their potential, and bring a finalist to our Board for approval.
MAKING MUSICALS HAPPPEN
The Possibilities
What the Award Can Support
Flexible support. Meaningful progress.
From artist compensation and rehearsal space to readings, workshops, and developmental productions, the award helps fund what a musical needs next.
MAKING MUSICALS HAPPEN
The Legacy
Peter's Legacy
A generous gift. An enduring belief in musical theatre.
Named in honor of Peter J. Hengel, the award carries his generosity forward by supporting artists and helping exceptional new musicals continue their journey.
MAKING MUSICALS HAPPEN
The Timing
When We Present the Award
One award each year. The right moment to help.
We consider promising musicals throughout the year, with no application deadline. The recipient is announced following Board approval.
You don’t need $25,000 to make a $25,000 difference.
Through The Producers’ Circle, theatre lovers across the country pool their resources to help NFMT make meaningful investments in the future of musical theatre.