The 1/52 Project

The OBIE Award winning 1/52 Project provides financial support to encourage early career designers from historically excluded groups with the aim of diversifying and strengthening the theater design community. Candidates of diverse backgrounds representing the full spectrum of theatrical activity, including those who have worked in non-traditional venues, are encouraged to apply to this program. The 1/52 Project considers all women of all ethnicities as part of a historically excluded group.

The 1/52 Project has raised over $350,000 in generous donations from designers and other kind theater professionals and disbursed the funds to 23 talented early career designers from historically excluded groups.

The 1/52 Project was founded with the hope that designers with shows running on Broadway would donate one week per year of additional weekly compensation (AWC) for each Broadway show the donor has designed. However, we will gratefully accept any amount of money from anyone (designer or not!)

To donate, go to our CONTRIBUTE page.

“The 1/52 Project is before and after in my professional career.” ~ Stefania Bulbarella, Tony Award Nominated projection designer

“The 1/52 Project allowed me to be a bit more selective rather than just taking the next job to pay the bills. Being able to choose a project that you are passionate about opens up so many more opportunities for growth.” ~Ebony Burton, lighting designer

“I feel like the biggest asset has been mentorship. I’m really expanding my network.” ~Jessica Alexandra Cancino, set designer

“Stability is so hard to achieve as a freelancer. Sometimes, it means working on nineteen shows in a year to support myself. This grant takes the place of a couple of shows.” ~Mextly Couzin, lighting designer

“The 1/52 Project grant has given me the time and financial stability that I needed in order to take my career to the next level. I have been empowered to take on work that I am passionate about. I am grateful for this. .” ~Emmanuel Delgado, lighting designer

"The 1/52 project saved my design career. Despite all of the good fortune I've had in my career, had I not received the 1/52 grant when I did, I would not have been able to continue designing. The 1/52 project allowed me to thoughtfully assess what kind of designer I am and what kind of designer I want to be." ~ Dee Eti Williams, sound designer

“Receiving the 1/52 grant has allowed me to pursue artistic fulfillment and collaboration unburdened by financial anxiety- furthermore, the experience has been incredibly validating. The committee's recognition of my skills and talents, but also the hardship I've experienced pursuing a design career, has gone a long way towards undoing trauma and buoying my confidence in both myself and the industry. “ ~ Meg Powers, costume designer

“This grant has afforded me the ability to buy back my time so I could commit myself more fully to fewer projects.” ~Jordan McCree, sound designer

“This grant came at a time when I needed it most, not only financially, but also professionally. The exposure the 1/52 Project gives its recipients is invaluable.” ~Gerardo Diaz Sanchez, set designer

“The 1/52 grant changed my life. It allowed me to choose a single project and build it to the level of quality I want to be known for. That one project opened up a door and led to the offer of a resident design position at a major opera company.” ~Destinee Steele, hair, wig, and makeup designer

"Navigating a freelance design career takes work. A brand-name MFA or a “big break” job doesn’t guarantee everything. We work in an industry where conventional success rarely relies on talent alone but also—and often more so—on chance and timing, especially for artists from marginalized groups. Being in the middle of this climb and experiencing the difficulties of this industry, I am grateful for the comfort and the fuel to keep going that the 1/52 Project Grant has afforded me." ~Miguel Urbino, set designer

“Receiving the 1/52 grant has given me greater stability as a designer, allowing me more time to refine my skills and be more selective and intentional with opportunities. But most importantly, it has reassured me that I am part of a community of artists who genuinely support my growth and success. Combined with the years I have already dedicated to this work, this support fuels my confidence and excitement to keep pushing the boundaries of design" - Teresa L. Williams, set designer

To get in touch with the 1/52 team, please either use our contact form, or email us directly at contact@oneeveryfiftytwo.org

The 1/52 Project partners with Rise Theatre Directory.

https://www.risetheatre.org/mission

RISE (Representation, Inclusion, & Support for Employment) seeks to build a more equitable and inclusive theatre industry by centralizing DEIA tools and resources through a network of partners and a national personnel directory that focuses on folks from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, deaf, and disabled theatre professionals.