The Micki Grant

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
PROGRAM

Six people performing on stage, singing and acting, with some holding scripts or notebooks, in a theatrical setting with a black background and star-shaped decorations on the floor.

Mission

The Micki Grant Artist-in-Residence Program honors the legacy of Micki Grant, York Honorary Board Member, groundbreaking artist, and champion for greater representation in the theatre community.

Inspired by Micki's commitment to opening doors for others, this initiative supports emerging artists from historically underrepresented communities by fostering artistic growth, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities within the professional theatre industry.

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CALLING ALL DIRECTORS!

The 2026 Micki Grant Artist-in-Residence Program opens on Monday, June 15, 2026.

This year's residency is designed to support emerging directors and provide meaningful opportunities for growth, mentorship, and hands-on experience within a professional musical theatre environment. Through direct engagement with York's artistic staff and industry leaders, the selected resident will gain insight into the artistic, collaborative, and practical elements of directing and developing musical theatre.

The selected Micki Grant Artist-in-Residence will:

• Serve as a Directing Observer on The York Theatre's upcoming Mainstage production of Truly, Howard Hughes, with rehearsals beginning in August and performances running September through October 2026.

• Direct a special 50th Anniversary concert of Micki Grant's landmark musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.

• Work closely with York staff and artistic leadership throughout the residency.

• Access to workshops on grant-writing, fundraising, navigating theatrical unions, and more

• Invitation to The York’s Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala

Stipend: Each resident receives a stipend of $3,500 to support their time in the program.

The program is carefully curated to match each artist’s unique skills and ambitions, supporting them in their journey to become the artistic leaders of tomorrow.

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Application Process

We are seeking emerging directors with a passion for musical theatre and a strong artistic voice. Applicants should be eager collaborators who are interested in expanding their experience through mentorship, observation, and hands-on leadership opportunities.

  • Applications open Monday, June 15 and close Monday, July 6.

  • Prospective candidates will be invited to interview.

  • Residency cycle runs 3 months.

Application Materials Needed:

  • Resume

  • Bio (200 words)

  • Personal Artistic Statement (500 words)

  • Statement detailing how this opportunity would be valuable to you at this time in your career (200 words) 

  • List of upcoming projects

  • Availability during residency period (August 7, 2026-October 20th, 2026)

  • Three professional references 



For questions, please contact: residency@yorktheatre.org.

Selection Committee:

The panel of Judges for the Micki Grant Artist-in-Residency is formed by:

  • Daryl Walker - Representative of The Micki Grant Estate

  • Kenny Ingram - Theatre Director/Choreographer

  • Dahlak Brathwaite - Inaugural Micki Grant Resident

  • Members of The York Theatre Staff: Joseph Hayward, Wendy Hall, Stephanie Prugh & Tatiana Montes

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
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Remembering

MICKI GRANT

Micki Grant was a pioneering multi-talented artist in American theatre, celebrated as an actor, director, composer, lyricist, and playwright. She broke barriers as the first woman to write and star in a Broadway musical, Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, which received multiple Tony nominations. She was the first African American contract player on a daytime serial, playing Peggy Nolan on NBC’s Another World. Known for her commitment to social justice, Grant’s work uplifted African American voices and stories, inspiring generations. Her contributions to musical theatre remain a testament to her visionary artistry and advocacy for inclusivity.

Micki Grant paved the way for countless artists of color in American theatre. We are honored to carry forward her legacy and support the next generation of storytellers who will shape the future of theatre. Through the Micki Grant Artist-in-Residence Program, we seek to uphold her vision of an inclusive theatre that reflects the diversity of the world we live in.

Vintage poster for the Broadway play "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God" featuring a smiling woman with her hand raised, set against an orange background.
Silhouettes of six people with raised arms against a red background, with the text 'Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope' in white in the center.
Promotional poster featuring Dahlak Brathwaite, a playwright, composer, director, filmmaker, and performer, with the title 'The Micki Grant Artist-in-Residence Recipient' at the York Theatre, showing a large central portrait of him and smaller images of him performing on stage.

2025 Micki Grant Artist-In-Residence

DAHLAK BRATHWAITE 

Brathwaite is an award-winning playwright, composer, director, filmmaker, and performer. His work has been presented at BAM, The Kennedy Center, The Apollo, The Wallis, REDCAT, and on HBO’s last two seasons of Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry. His musical adaptation of Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down premiered at Olney Theater Center, breaking box-office records. His latest work COMMERCIAL has been developed and presented at the Public Theater. Brathwaite is a Princess Grace Award winner, and he has received awards and support from NEFA, Creative Capital, the Doris Duke Foundation, the U.S. State Department, and MAP Fund. He is a graduate of NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, where he was awarded the Dean’s full-tuition fellowship, and served as the assistant director for the national tour of the Tony-winning revival of Oklahoma!"