Theatre Writer Opportunities for April 2026
Funding galore!
April has some enormous funding opportunities for lyricists, librettists, composers, playwrights, and other theatre writers. Grants, awards, fellowships, and commissions take center stage but as always you’ll be getting the rundown on residencies, festivals, and development opportunities as well. Let’s dive in!
Funding
This grant supports the work of individuals from Arab countries
$25,000-$35,000 grant
Deadline: April 2nd
Anonymous Was a Woman Environmental Art Grants
A grant for environmentally-focused art projects led by women, trans and GNC folks
$20,000 grant
Deadline: April 7th
A commission for a woman, trans, or GNC writer age 40+ who has had at least one production licensed or performed before a paying audience
$10,000 commission
Deadline: April 13th
A series of Commissions from theatre and performance artists, focused on themes of Democracy especially as practiced in the United States.
Very strict eligibility requirements - an eligible artist will have “created, completed, and premiered at least 2 full-length prior works of live performance publicly.”
$60,000 commission
Deadline: April 28th
Development
A festival in Lower Manhattan, featuring one-acts and short pieces. Cast must be 5 or fewer
Fully self-produced
Deadline: April 3rd
Manhattan Theatre Mission is seeking submissions for Staged Readings in the Festival. Several awards will be distributed, and first place will be fully produced in the following season
Deadline: May 1st
Tax tip: Keep a running tally of earnings and expenses incurred through your work in the arts. For many grants and commissions, you are responsible for paying taxes on that income, so it’s really useful to have your deductions handy. Last month I reminded you that application and residency fees are tax-deductible. Some other common deductions in our field are theatre tickets, recording equipment, studio space rentals, headshot photographer fees, and more. For a comprehensive resource on what to deduct, I like this list from Stride.
Friendly disclaimer: I’m not a tax professional, and this isn’t financial advice—just a practical tip that may be worth checking with your accountant or tax preparer.
Residencies
A 10-14 day residency on a 42-acre property that borders the Sheepscot River in Alna, Maine
Beware: lengthy application process
$35 application fee
$250-$500 Stipend
Deadline: April 15th
A community-minded month-long residency at a scenic retreat in France
$30 application fee
Unspecified stipend
Deadline: April 20th
Players Theatre Self-Producing Artist Residency
The Players Theatre provides “mentorship and a theatre subsidy, empowering creative teams to successfully self-produce their work.”
Deadline: May 1st
That’s it for this month’s highlights! And now for The List - my comprehensive compendium of all upcoming opportunities for which theatre writers are eligible. A massive THANK YOU to everyone who subscribes - every dollar goes toward the production of new work.
Please enjoy this expanded collection of 60+ opportunities:
