Applications close Monday December 8, 2025

We are now accepting applications for the residency cohort for FY27 to FY29. One company will be chosen.

Launchpad is a 3-year residency that supports Boston-based theater ensembles or companies in the early stages of development by providing space, mentorship, and support in growing their audiences and impact. Resources are designed to meet the needs of the company and include access to rehearsal and performance spaces, mentorship, administrative and production support, marketing, and a platform for producing and performing innovative new work. This multi-year residency provides resources to further develop artistic excellence, organizational growth, and audience engagement. This program seeks to promote groups who are actively taking artistic risks, exploring multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary creativity, and challenging audiences.

Structure:

• The Launchpad Residency consists of a 3-year long program where a company is able to build capacity, audience, and work towards creating a sustainable organization.
• The company receives up to 9 weeks of performance space fully subsidized each year of their residency. They are required to produce at least one full production each year, and have the option to produce up to two.
• The company must be committed to community engagement and pushing the boundaries of what is believed to be “traditional” theatre. This can range from producing new work, plays by underrepresented communities, non-traditional plays, etc. The resident should host community engagement initiatives throughout their time as a resident.

Criteria:

Applications will be evaluated based on the artist’s demonstration of:

Experimentation: we support artistic work that displays innovation and openness to new ideas, perspectives and techniques.

Responsiveness: in the process of supporting new and innovative work, we value ideas that are relevant to contemporary interests and conversations.

Community engagement: we encourage an artistic practice that engages meaningfully with the ecosystem where it exists through collaboration and exchange among artists and audiences.

Potential impact: we seek to support artists for whom our involvement has the potential to propel their practice creating a path for growth artistically and professionally.

These criteria will be applied by an external jury whose composition includes mainly theatre professionals in the Boston area, as well as diverse individuals with a broad range of lived experience and experience in the arts field.

To learn more about the program, please visit BCA Launchpad Residency or email Michaila Cowie, Director of Theatre Arts at Michaila@bostonarts.org

Important Dates:

Application Open: Monday October 27, 2025

Application Closes: Monday December 8, 2025

Notification On or Around: Monday Janurary 12, 2025

Residency Start Date: Monday February 2, 2025