The Gerbode Foundation’s 2025 Theater Production Awards Program is offering a $400,000 fund to support the creation and development of new theatrical works by California-based writers, playwrights, spoken word artists, and theater-makers. The awards are intended to foster the commissioning and production of innovative theater projects that will be developed and presented by nonprofit, artist-centered organizations located in the Bay Area, California. Eligible organizations must have an annual budget between $60,000 and $3 million.
Each selected project will receive a $50,000 grant. Of this amount, at least $12,500 must be designated as a minimum commission fee for the lead artist, with a total minimum of $25,000 if the project involves a collaborative or devised process. Grants will support artistic commissions, project development, and production-related activities but must be channeled through nonprofit organizations (direct or fiscal sponsorship with active involvement is acceptable).
Applications must be submitted electronically by June 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM Pacific Time. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Materials must be emailed as PDFs, and certain components (such as the completed application form) should be submitted in Word format. Organizations applying with a fiscal sponsor must submit additional materials confirming the sponsorship arrangement. Selected recipients will be notified, and projects are expected to move forward into production following the award.
The application requires detailed information about the producing organization, the lead artist(s), a project narrative, a project budget, and supporting materials including financial documentation, staff lists, and work samples demonstrating artistic quality and relevance to the proposed project.
