Masterwork Arts Grants $15,000 Premier Award to Premiere Stages

Madison, New Jersey – August 2026

The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation is pleased to announce that Premiere Stages at Kean University is the recipient of our Premier Award in Theatre! This year’s award has been expanded from $10,000 to $15,000 in the interest of supporting four new works, all top finalists from Premiere Stages’ Play Festival.

Premiere Stages is the professional Equity Theatre in residence at Kean University. In a unique partnership with Kean, Premiere Stages contributes to the academic curriculum of the University as well as offering professional programming on the campus. Premiere’s Play Festival has developed over 60 news plays since its inception with this year’s Festival generating nearly 900 submissions.

Masterwork Foundation’s President, Tony Javed, remarked on the strategic partnership with Premiere Stages, noting “What a privilege and treat it has been to collaborate with the passionate, smart and delightful team at Premiere Stages led by Producing Artistic Director, John Wooten and Managing Director, Nick Gandiello! It’s been a most rewarding reminder that provocative, entertaining and inspiring art is all around us and it’s with deepest pride that the Masterwork Foundation team has the opportunity help bring such works to fruition.”

Todd Whitley, Executive Director of The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation, offered that, “Theater arts matter because they possess the unique ability to build community, enlighten minds, initiate conversations, and heal spirts. We recognize the potential for all of that across these remarkable awardees. On behalf of the Board, congratulations!”