Dramatists Guild Foundation raises more than $1 Million at annual gala for first time

The Dramatists Guild Foundation raised $1,012,596 in gross contributions at its 2026 gala, surpassing $1 million for the first time in the event’s history. The celebration, held on Oct. 19 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, honored producers Sue Frost and R. Patrick Morrow and playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins while raising funds to support playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists.

Presented by Creative Partners Productions, with leading sponsorship from Concord Theatricals, the gala was hosted by Tony Award-nominated playwright Jocelyn Bioh under the theme “The Ripple.” Noah Himmelstein directed the event, with music direction by Julianne Merrill and Josh Bierman serving as announcer.

The program featured performances and testimonials highlighting the foundation’s financial assistance, fellowships, educational opportunities and free writing spaces for theater writers.

Tony nominee and current star of Bioh’s “School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play” Jasmine Amy Rogers opened the evening with “I Cain’t Say No” from “Oklahoma!,” featuring music by DGF founding member Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Erin Morton, also starring in “School Girls,” later received a standing ovation for her performance of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

The closing performance brought together original “Spring Awakening” cast members Lauren Pritchard, Gerard Canonico, Brian Charles Johnson and Jonathan B. Wright, joined by Kathryn Gallagher, for “Touch Me,” with lyrics by Steven Sater and music by the late Duncan Sheik. The performance honored Sheik and followed a video message from Sater, who sent greetings from London, where he is rehearsing “Nero,” his latest collaboration with Sheik.

Other performances included Tabi Harlowe and Nathan Salstone singing “Leave the Rest to Me” from “Sinister,” with music and lyricis by former DGF Fellow Joriah Kwamé; Max McKenna performing “Love, Where Does It Go?” from “The Heart,” with additional lyrics by former DGF Fellow Kait Kerrigan and music and lyrics by Anne and Ian Eisendrath; and Jay Armstrong Johnson, Troy Iwata and Daniel Brackett performing “Gym Song” from “Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” by former DGF Fellow Dylan MarcAurele.

Christopher Ashley presented Frost’s honor. Ashley is currently directing the Off-Broadway production of “The Heart,” is the Tony-winning director of “Come From Away” and the Tony-nominated director of “Memphis,” all three of which were produced by Frost and Randy Adams for Junkyard Dog Productions. Frost highlighted the foundation’s emergency grants, fellowship programs and free workspaces as essential resources for writers.

DGF board member Barbara Olcott presented Morrow’s honor, and Bioh presented Jacobs-Jenkins’ honor. Harry Lennix performed a monologue from Jacobs-Jenkins’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Purpose.” Jacobs-Jenkins spoke about how the foundation’s assistance helped him achieve greater financial stability and pursue further opportunities, including applying to the Juilliard School.

Stephen Schwartz presented the Stephen Schwartz Award to Kwamé, a 2022-2023 DGF Fellow. DGF president Andrew Lippa recognized Spotlight Service Award recipients Christine Toy Johnson and Michael S. Gordon.

Todd London recognized the 2025-2026 National Fellows: Kari Barclay, Georgina Escobar, Jennine “DOC” Krueger, Jessi Pitts, Laura Schein, Lolita Stewart-White, Gretchen Suárez-Peña, Thelma Virata de Castro and Ben Zeadman. London also recognized Legacy Playwrights Initiative Award recipients Velina Hasu Houston and José Cruz González and Thom Thomas Award recipient Lisa DeSpain. Lucas Hunt led the evening’s paddle raise.

Separately from the gala fundraising total, the Roe Green Foundation made a $1 million commitment to support DGF’s mission and long-term sustainability. In recognition of the commitment, DGF executive director Rachel Routh now holds the title of Roe Green Executive Director of the Dramatists Guild Foundation. DGF board member C. Graham Berwind III also pledged a $100,000 match for the gala’s paddle raise.

Founded in 1962, DGF provides financial assistance and professional development resources to theater writers. Funds raised through the gala support its programs and services, which help writers sustain their careers and develop new work.