Leah Ryan Fund: The Boost Commission
Forecasted
Leah Ryan Fund: The Boost Commission supports women, trans, and non-binary playwrights in creating a new play inspired by Leah Ryan’s writing, helping them keep writing, connecting, and thriving.
Funder: Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $10,000 commission: $6,000 at commissioning and $4,000 on completion, plus a reading
Summary: Supports women, trans, and non-binary playwrights over forty to create a new play inspired by Leah Ryan’s writing.
Key Information: Applicants need an ongoing playwriting practice and at least one professional production or a script published by an established publishing/licensing house.
Description
The Boost is a playwriting commission awarded by the Board of the Leah Ryan Fund and listed by Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley. It supports a woman, trans, or non-binary playwright over forty in creating a new play in conversation with Leah Ryan’s writing. The commission includes financial support for writing and a reading of the completed work.
For the second round, the board selected Ryan’s Debt, a one-act comedy about unpaid bills, endorphins, band practice, and Marvin Gaye. Writers are invited to use the play as a jumping-off point, drawing freely from its themes, characters, or other aspects rather than writing a sequel. The commission reflects the Fund’s mission to help writers facing individual challenges and systemic oppression keep writing, connecting, creating, and thriving.
