APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2025

CPT is thrilled to announce the next round of Kulas Foundation Composer Fellowships for composers and sound designers.

“The Kulas Foundation Composer Fellowship has resulted in so many wonderful works of theatre and performance and significantly enhanced CPT productions while simultaneously supporting artistic and career development of incredible artists. The fellowship has also resulted in many incredible collaborations that have blossomed well beyond the scope of the program. Some of my favorite moments on CPT stages in the past 10 years involve past fellows, and I can’t wait to see and hear what the future fellows create for our community!”

―Raymond Bobgan, CPT Executive Artistic Director 

What is the Kulas Foundation Composer Fellowship?   

Cleveland Public Theatre created the Kulas Foundation Fellowship to:

• Support local composers who are interested in theatrical performance

• Support the growth of the local field of sound designers

• Enhance the quality of CPT productions through collaboration with composers

• Strengthen networks between music and theatre communities in Cleveland

• Add to CPT’s catalog of music for current and future shows and other media

There are now two options for the Kulas Fellowship, composers may apply for any or all of them. Here is a summary of all of them. 

1. Sound Design Fellowship: for composers who want to deepen (or begin) work as sound designers and composers for theatrical performances. This fellowship includes a general award of $2,000, plus an additional $2,000 for each show designed (less for workshops). There is also an expense budget of up to $2,000 for CPT to acquire equipment, hire musicians, etc. Knowledge or self-learning of QLab is critical for this option. This fellowship is approximately 12–18 months, beginning July 1, 2025. 
2. Commission Fellowship: for composers who want to create a single piece of music, fully recorded and produced for free use by CPT. CPT uses these recordings for many purposes but especially for scoring of video content. Commission songs should be upbeat and usable for a variety of purposes. Commission Fellows also are expected to play their song at Pandemonium. Commissioned artists receive $2,500 all-inclusive. This fellowship goes from July 1 through December 31, 2025.

With all fellowships: 

•  Fellows are expected to play a role in the life of CPT over the course of their fellowship.
  
  • Participate in CPT’s annual fundraiser, Pandemonium, and/or Station Hope in some way
  • Attend most opening nights
  • Attend artist meetings

• Fellows must complete a minimal final report outlining what they did, how the fellowship impacted them as artists, and offering feedback.

• Fellows must credit CPT and the fellowship for up to three years in bios, resumes, programs, etc.

• Fellows retain ownership of all songs but have some requirements in listing CPT in future use.

• CPT will list fellows on the CPT website for minimum of three years after the fellowship.

• CPT will promote fellows and the award they received.

• CPT retains the right to use music commissioned, composed, or used in sound design without limitation in the future—including being used out of context of the original purpose in any form of media. CPT is responsible for properly accrediting the composer whenever music is used.

Deadline for applications is June 30, 2025.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION