Photo Coverage: Cesar Alvarez, Nikko Benson, Carson Kreitzer & Sam Salmond Awarded 2016 Jonathan Larson Grants

The American Theatre Wing just celebrated its 2016 Jonathan Larson Grants recipients: César Alvarez (book, music and lyrics), Nikko Benson (music and lyrics), Carson Kreitzer (book and lyrics), and Sam Salmond (book, music, and lyrics).

Four prestigious grants of $10,000 each, totaling $40,000, were presented last night, March 21, 2016, at a private event at the WNYC Greene Space. This year's recipients were selected by an expert panel consisting of composer/lyricist and past Larson Grant recipientDave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812), producer Kristin Caskey (President of Fox Theatricals and producer of Fun Home), and director Kristin Marting (Artistic Director of HERE Arts Center).

"The Jonathan Larson Grants give us the opportunity each year to support exciting new theater makers and invest in the changing landscape of the American musical, one writer at a time." said Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing.

The Jonathan Larson Grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers, help to continue Tony Award-winning composer Jonathan Larson's dream of infusing musical theatre with a contemporary, joyful, urban vitality. Dedicated to celebrating excellence and supporting theatre, the American Theatre Wing awards the Larson Grants to artists to recognize and showcase their work with no strings attached - except to put it to the best use possible to help further the artists' creative endeavors.

The American Theatre Wing is dedicated to also offering Jonathan Larson Grant artists industry resources to advance their work.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski