Apply

An eligible applicant for The Boost is a woman, trans, and/or non-binary playwright age 40 or over who has had at least one production performed in front of a paying audience OR a script published by an established/known publishing/licensing house.

Application Opens: February 16, 2026 

Application Deadline: April 13, 2026, or until 150 applications are received.

Winner announced: June 1, 2026

First draft delivered: June 1, 2027

Reading of the commissioned play: Fall 2027

Application materials:
-A two-page project summary in which the writer describes the play they intend to write, and answers the question: what about Leah’s play Debt inspired your idea for this play? 

View / Download a PDF of Leah Ryan’s Debt

– CV / production history

– Fifteen pages of a work that best represents the writer’s voice. (This does not need to be the first fifteen pages of the work, just the pages you feel are the strongest).

– One reference – someone who can speak to your work as a playwright and theater maker (no letter is needed.)

The winner will receive:

—$10,000 to be received $6K at time of commission, $4K on completion

—A reading in Fall 2027

About Leah’s play Debt
Debt is a one act comedy about unpaid bills, endorphins, band practice, Marvin Gaye, and even more unpaid bills . . . something for everyone.

View / Download a PDF of Leah Ryan’s Debt