The 1/52 Project, the financial grant program founded by Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, has revealed the 12 early-career designers who will benefit from $165,000 in grants for the 2025 cycle. Each of the recipients will receive a grant up to $17,500. An awards ceremony will be held at The Civilian Hotel in New York City on October 6, 2025, sponsored by a donation from Neil Mazella.
The recipients—chosen based on talent, creativity, need, innovation, and potential for future excellence in the theatre—are projection designer Luis Garcia, hair and wig designer Mary YoungMi Lee, set designer Alex Meyer, lighting designer Erica Lauren Maholmes, sound designer Germán Martínez, costume designer Rodrigo Muñoz, makeup designer Earon Chew Nealy, projection designer Jacqueline (JQ) Reed, scenic designer Sasha Jin Schwartz, hair and wig designer Cassie Janay Ann Williams, sound designer Emily Duncan Wilson, and costume designer Haydee Zelideth.
Founder Boritt said in a statement, “When we started The 1/52 Project four years ago, it seemed quixotic. Now, after distributing a half million dollars in grants, I’m overwhelmed both by the generosity of our industry, and even more committed to meeting and supporting so many talented early-career designers.”
The 1/52 Project, launched in January 2022, was awarded a 2024 Obie Award Theatre Grant for honorable work in helping to change the face of theatre. The Project is primarily funded by designers with shows running on Broadway who are encouraged to donate one week every year of their weekly royalties to this fund.
Live Design congratulates the 2025 recipients and applauds Boritt and all of the donors for initiating and continuing such a rewarding project.