Deadline: June 30, 2026
Application Form
The Fred Ebb Award was established to support emerging composers and lyricists who aspire to create work for the musical theatre and who have not yet achieved significant commercial success.
Each year, one composer/lyricist or composer/lyricist team is selected to receive a $75,000 prize. The recipient is honored at a reception on Broadway, recognizing excellence in musical theatre songwriting and celebrating the future of American theatre.
This annual musical theatre award continues Fred Ebb’s commitment to nurturing new voices and sustaining the art form he helped shape.
The Fred Ebb Award was established to support emerging composers and lyricists who aspire to create work for the musical theatre and who have not yet achieved significant commercial success.
Each year, one composer/lyricist or composer/lyricist team is selected to receive a $75,000 prize. The recipient is honored at a reception on Broadway, recognizing excellence in musical theatre songwriting and celebrating the future of American theatre.
This annual musical theatre award continues Fred Ebb’s commitment to nurturing new voices and sustaining the art form he helped shape.
Are you an aspiring musical theatre songwriter? Have you yet to achieve significant commercial success with your work?
The Fred Ebb Award is open to:The Fred Ebb Award is open to:
- A composer/lyricist or composer/lyricist team
- Writers creating original work for musical theatre
- Applicants who have not yet achieved significant commercial success
- The award is intended to recognize and encourage serious, emerging artists dedicated to musical theatre songwriting.
Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
- Electronic files of up to four songs from one or more musical theatre pieces
- Typewritten lyrics for each song
- A description of the dramatic context for each song
- (Lyrics and context must be combined into one PDF document)
Application Guidelines
To ensure a fair and anonymous review process, please carefully follow these guidelines:
- All applications are coded upon receipt and reviewed anonymously.
- Do not include writer name(s) in electronic file names, lyric sheets, or dramatic descriptions.
- Names should appear only on the application form.
- Preferred file formats: MP3, ZIP, or M4A
- Dropbox links are acceptable but must not have expiration dates
- Only musical theatre work will be considered
- Do not submit recordings with significant audience sound
- Applicants must have written all songs included in the submission
- A composer may not submit songs with different lyric collaborators
- No individual may appear on more than one application
- You may not apply individually and as part of a team
- You may not apply as part of multiple teams
- Failure to follow guidelines may result in disqualification.