The Foundation of the
American Theatre Critics Association, Inc.
Formed in 1991 and incorporated in Illinois, Foundation ATCA is a public, not-for-profit, tax-exempt charitable corporation — organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code — that provides financial and other tangible support for scholarships, critics’ institutes, ATCA awards, educational talks and seminars, and other eligible programs.
The Foundation has its own officers and board of directors, overlapping with ATCA’s, who work closely with ATCA to assist critics in their professional development and support the theater community in general. The Foundation, initially led by Jonathan Abarbanel as Executive Director, has been led since 1994 by an elected Board President.
- Martha Wade Steketee (2025-current)
- Jay Handelman (2013-2025)
- Jeffrey Eric Jenkins (2008-2013)
- Alice T. Carter (2005-2008)
- Jay Handelman (2002-2005)
- John C. (Jack) Zink (1997-2002)
- Marianne Evett (1994-1997)
- Jonathan Abarbanel (1992-1994)
The Foundation serves multiple purposes for initiatives related to the work of ATCA and the field of criticism as well as providing support for travel to international and other conferences.
The Foundation receives and then distributes funds for The Harold and Mimi Steinberg / ATCA New Play Award honoring a winner and two citation prizes each year, and for the The Francesca Primus Prize honoring outstanding contributions to the American theater by an emerging female-identifying playwright.
The Foundation entirely supports The M. Elizabeth Osborn Award for playwrights who may have established themselves regionally or in smaller theaters, but have yet to obtain national recognition. The Foundation also distributes Evan Shipley Hook Fund resources earmarked for critic education projects and programs, such as travel support to attend conferences and seminars, grants to conduct research, and scholarships to attend the annual Eugene O’Neill National Critics Institute.
The Foundation funds or partially supports two programs established in 2022 to honor and mentor the work of emerging artists. The Helbing Mentorship Program promotes the voices of young LGBTQIA+ arts writers through scholarship, mentorship, and professional development, and The Edward Medina Prize for Excellence in Cultural Criticism honors work by U.S. reviewers, critics, and journalists from under-represented groups who write about theater and its role in highlighting people from various cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
The Foundation has a set goal, not yet achieved, of raising sufficient funds to support its grants and programs from its annual investment income.
For information on how to participate in or assist the Foundation contact:
Martha Wade Steketee, President, Foundation ATCA at msteketee@gmail.com.
Donations may be made through the donation link at the bottom of this page or by check sent to:
FOUNDATION ATCA
c/o Tim Dodson, administrator
145 Bermuda Lakes Dr.
Meridianville, AL 35759
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