Twelve schools have been selected to receive free performance licenses for Shaina Taub's Suffs as part of the Educational Theatre Foundation and Music Theatre International's "The Young Are at the Gates" grants. The program previously announced it would choose 10 U.S. high schools to produce Taub's musical, but ended up selecting two more.
The chosen schools are Alexandria Senior High in Alexandria, Louisiana; The Beacon High School in New York, New York; Cherry Hill High School West in Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Dublin Scioto High School in Dublin, Ohio; Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach, Florida; Indiana Thespians All-State Production in Avon, Indiana; Jamestown High School and Williamsburg-James City All-County Production in Williamsburg, Virginia; Middle Creek High School in Apex, North Carolina; North High School in Denver, Colorado; Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Georgia; Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama; and Woodmont High School and Greenville County Schools All-County Production in Piedmont, South Carolina.
Winners were chosen by a committee comprising representatives from Suffs on Broadway, including Taub, Rachel Sussman, Leigh Silverman, Mayte Natalio, and Jill Furman: director of the Stagedoor Manor pilot production of Suffs Matt Gehring; and representatives from MTI and ETF
“We received so many beautiful applications for this grant,” says Taub, a two-time Tony winner for Suffs' book and score. "I was really moved by the passion and tenacity of drama teachers across America who believe in the power of theatre to change young people’s lives. Reading about their plans for uniting art and advocacy in their school communities gave me hope for the future. At a time when public funding and access to the arts are under attack, and the freedom to teach the truth about American history is being threatened, I’m very grateful to MTI and EdTA for supporting this initiative that will empower students to tell these stories on stage for themselves, free of charge.”
“MTI is thrilled to help make Suffs exclusively available to these exceptional high schools ahead of the show’s general release,” says MTI Chief Operating Officer and Director of Education and Development John Prignano. “Shaina’s musical is an example of how the arts cannot just entertain but educate and inspire. We look forward to seeing how the schools bring the show to life on their stages.”
“ETF is incredibly grateful to Shaina for sharing this show with students and schools across the country," adds ETF President Dr. Jennifer Katona. “What a joy it will be to watch our thespians participate in advocacy and community engagement work inspired by this powerful story. The young are truly at the gates of our country.”
The chosen schools will receive free licenses and production materials to produce Suffs in the 2025-2026 school year.
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.
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Jenn Colella and company of Suffs
Jenn Colella in Suffs
Nikki M. James in Suffs
Grace McLean in Suffs
Hannah Cruz in Suffs
Emily Skinner in Suffs
Jenn Colella and Shaina Taub in Suffs
Company of Suffs
Tsilala Brock and Grace McLean in Suffs
Kim Blanck and company of Suffs
Hannah Cruz and company of Suffs
Anastacia McCleskey, Laila Erica Drew, and Nikki M.James in Suffs
Nikki M. James and company of Suffs
Shaina Taub in Suffs
