Since 1923, EAG has provided emergency financial aid and career support to New York City performers. With Open Stage, we are giving emerging theatre companies a chance to create and present work without the challenges that come with finding and maintaining affordable space.
Through this program, an active and emerging NYC theatre company is chosen to receive six (6) weeks, eight (8) hours per week of free time in our historic theatre space at Guild Hall (1 East 29th Street, NYC 10016). With this time, the recipient will be able to develop, devise, and rehearse a work of their choosing. The grant period ends with 4-8 ticketed public performances, with proceeds being split evenly between the grant recipient and the charitable programs of EAG. Through Open Stage, EAG is also able to provide grantees with limited funding for some specific line items in their production budgets.
We are accepting applications for our Summer 2022 (July/August 2022) and Winter 2023 (January/February 2023) Open Stage grants February 11 through March 11, 2022. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Finalists will be invited to interview with the selection committee at Guild Hall. Grantees will be announced in April 2022.
Before applying for this grant, please read the Open Stage FAQ's andtestimonials from past recipients. All applicants are highly encouraged to familiarize themselves with our unique space before applying . If you have not been to Guild Hall before and would like to see it in person, please call or email us and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for a walk through.
Based on past cycles, here are a few tips on what makes for a successful Open Stage application:
A strong mission
Demonstrated need
Demonstrated ability to achieve stated goals for the project (appropriate levels of staffing and funding to see the project through, etc.)
Proposed project is either a new/original work or a creative/compelling remount of a piece in the theatrical canon. (Preference tends to be to support the development of new work.)
EAG's Open Stage space grant program is supported by the Teri Black Performance Fund, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.