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Jonathan Larson's dream was to infuse musical theatre with a contemporary, joyful, urban vitality. Although he did not live to see it happen, his dream was achieved through the phenomenal success of his musical Rent. The Jonathan Larson Grants were created with the understanding that without grants that supplemented Jonathan's meager income, Jonathan himself might never had written Rent. The grants program was established 12 years ago as a place for individual creative theatre artists to turn to for help and to provide financial support and encouragement. The Jonathan Larson Grants honor the talented creator of Rent and ensure that his spirit continues to inspire the future of American musical theatre.
From 1997-2008 the awards were administered by the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation. The Foundation recognized and supported more than seventy-five composers, lyricists, and bookwriters at the start of their careers.
Starting in 2009, the Jonathan Larson Grants become part of the American Theatre Wing. Thanks to the resources of the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation and the Larson Family the program will be sustained for the future. The Jonathan Larson Grants take a place alongside a history of programs designed to support theatre professionals at the beginning of their careers, and dovetails with the Wing's longstanding practice of recognizing excellence in the theatre.
The few grants Jonathan received boosted his professional confidence so that he could pursue a career writing for the musical theatre. Today, each of the Jonathan Larson grants is awarded to an artist to recognize and showcase their work with no strings attached - except to put it to the best use possible to help further the artist's creative endeavors.
- Jonathan Larson® is a registered trademark of Skeeziks, LLC
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