New York City
The Miranda Family Fund will promote the inclusion of artists of color at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center has announced new support from the Miranda Family Fund to provide scholarships for National Theater Institute students. The Fund is supporting scholarships to further the inclusion of artists of color across all disciplines of theater.
Founded in 1970, NTI’s credit-earning theater intensives — taught by industry professionals and master teachers — train actors, singers, directors, dancers, designers, playwrights, and composers in comprehensive training. Graduates leave NTI with the skill sets to produce, write, direct, and act in their own work, as well as create their own path in the industry.
Lin-Manuel Miranda's first professional production was at the O'Neill's National Music Theater Conference with In the Heights in 2005. "My time at the O’Neill," he said, "was challenging and formative. The work we did there was instrumental in the development of In the Heights. The long days and nights immersed in the musical, alongside the cast and creative team, was a thrilling first for me in that kind of environment. I want as many emerging artists as possible to enjoy that experience. My family and I are excited to be able to partner with the O’Neill to help make that happen for more talented artists of color who are creating new work."
Miranda is the recipient of three Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the MacArthur Foundation Award. He is currently represented on Broadway with the musical Hamilton, for which he wrote the music, lyrics, and book.