NEW YORK CITY: The American Theatre Wing—in partnership with Celia Keenan-Bolger, Sara Bareilles, Catherine Brunell, and friends—has announced the Gavin Creel Fellowships, a new annual program that will grant $25,000 to five emerging theatre actors in honor of the late Gavin Creel, a Tony-winning artist, mentor, friend, and much more.
Having received guidance and support as he transitioned from college to become a working actor, Gavin believed in paying it forward to the next generation of actors striving to get into the industry. Deeply concerned about the economic and systemic challenges facing emerging actors, Gavin dreamed of a program to help them transition from college to career, and from anywhere in America to New York City, the Wing shared.
Each year, a panel of Gavin’s collaborators and friends will review applications submitted through the Wing and select five emerging theatre actors beginning their professional career in New York City as a theatremaker. Through the fellowship, each fellow will receive a grant of $25,000, personal mentorship from an assigned industry professional, curated networking events with Broadway leaders, access to Wing programs (Master Class, Working in the Theatre, The PlayreadersClub, etc.), free tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, and Tony Awards attendance as seat fillers.
“Toward the end of Gavin’s life, we had a lot of conversations about his legacy,” Celia Keenan-Bolger said in a statement. “When I asked him about starting a foundation in his name, he talked about the challenges facing young actors who don’t come from wealthy families and how hard it is to move to New York City and pursue a career in the theatre.”
Keenan-Bolger’s statement continued, “My dream is that this fellowship will provide not only financial support but a sense of community and belonging, something Gavin valued enormously. After he died, so many people reached out to me and asked me what they could do and where they could donate. I’m so grateful to the American Theatre Wing for their immediate and unwavering support in creating a home for the Gavin Creel Fellowship and giving us a place to direct our energy and carry on his bright radiant light in service of this next generation of theatre artists.”
“To be able to play this role in extending Gavin Creel’s amazing life and legacy is beyond meaningful,” American Theatre Wing president and CEO Heather Hitchens said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful that Celia, Sara, and Catherine have entrusted the Wing to work alongside them on this. I look forward to welcoming many classes of Gavin Creel fellows to NYC and to be part of our amazing community and industry.”
The Gavin Creel Fellowship team is now accepting donations of any amount, with the aim to build a $3 million endowment to launch the infrastructure and fund the program for 2026. Information regarding qualifications and applications, as well as the panel of theatremakers and industry professionals awarding the fellowships, will be announced at a later date. Supporters are encouraged to text GAVIN to 44321 and visit their website to learn more.
The American Theatre Wing invests in brave work, supports creative growth, and celebrates excellence to bring inclusive stories to our national culture through theatre. Founded in 1917 on the eve of America’s entry into World War I by seven suffragists, American Theatre Wing has spent a century using theatre to advance human experience, empathy and cultural growth.
