Shaina Taub, MTI, Educational Theatre Foundation to Provide Grants for High Schools That Produce Suffs

Shaina Taub took the stage at June 22's International Thespian Festival Opening Ceremony to make a surprise announcement: the launching of "The Young Are at the Gates" grants, which will award 10 U.S. high schools with funds to produce the musical Suffs on their stages. The project is a collaboration between the Educational Theatre Foundation, Taub, and Music Theatre International.

The grants will be open to all accredited high schools in the United States, with applicants asked to design an outreach program connected to their production in the spirit of the theme "the young are at the gates." Ten winners will be selected based on how creatively and meaningfully they incorporate that theme into their proposed production and outreach programs. Applications are being accepted through August 1 for productions in the 2025-2026 school year. Winners will be announced in August.

鈥淢y number one dream for Suffs has always been for it to be performed in schools across the country," said Taub. "I鈥檓 grateful to MTI and ETF for partnering on this initiative that will make the show more accessible to students this coming year. I hope young performers find empowerment and inspiration in getting to tell this story themselves. And I encourage productions to create ensembles where as many different kids as possible get to participate. For example, while on Broadway, the male characters were wonderfully played by women, I鈥檓 excited to see school productions open those roles to boys as well, and all performers, regardless of gender. Everyone gets to be a suff, and I can鈥檛 wait to cheer these casts on. I hope they feel represented by the show, and realize there鈥檚 a place for them in the American spotlight too.鈥�

Suffs historically made Taub a two-time Tony winner in 2024, and also the first woman to solely win Best Book and Score Tony Awards. The work, which played an Off-Broadway run at The Public before coming to Broadway, tells the story of the incredible women who fought and won the right to vote with the passing of the 19th Amendment over a century ago. Taub herself starred as Alice Paul, along with writing the musical's book, music, and lyrics.

鈥�Suffs is a story about the power of voices raised in unity, and this grant will help amplify the voices of young people ready to tell stories that matter,鈥� said Dr. Jennifer Katona, executive director of the Educational Theatre Association. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to partner with Shaina and MTI to bring this show and its message of activism, inclusion, and resilience to school stages across the country.鈥�

To apply for the grants, visit .