Musical Theatre Factory Receives $10K Gift from The Elphaba Fund

The Elphaba Fund awarded a $10,000 gift to Musical Theatre Factory today in support of the organization's commitment to developing new musicals by early-career writers and composers. The gift will help underwrite MTF's soon-to-be-announced summer season, and marks the most significant contribution made toward the Factory's $150,000 capital campaign announced earlier this year.

"We couldn't be happier!" says MTF's Artistic Director, Shakina Nayfack. "The Factory was built to be a safe space for emergent musical theatre makers to develop work here in NYC, and now, thanks to The Elphaba Fund, we can further our mission and provide more accessible development opportunities." Watch Ms. Nayfack's hilarious thank you message to the Elphaba Fund below.

Musical Theatre Factory is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization in Manhattan's theatre district dedicated to helping early career musical theatre artists develop and present new work in a collaborative atmosphere free from the pressures of critical or commercial success. Factory members include writers, composers, performers, choreographers, directors, music directors, dramaturgs, designers, and producers. In the 11 months since MTF first opened its doors, the organization has supported the development of 60 new musicals, with over 650 volunteers contributing over 10,000 combined hours of creative work. More information can be found at www.mtf.nyc

The Elphaba Fund at the Boston Foundation was established in 2013 by Gregory Maguire, author of the novel Wicked, and his husband, the painter Andy Newman, to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of WICKED on Broadway. The nonprofit family foundation is dedicated to issues of women's and children's health and education, particularly in the third world; to arts and literacy education; and to environmental causes.