DONALD FOWLER THEATER ARTS MEMORIAL FUND
The Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund was created to honor the life of actor, playwright and composer Donald Fowler. The Fund, which is a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization, awards seed grants to artists living in the Dallas Metroplex to enable them to create new innovative works of theater, including plays and musicals. The purpose of these grants is to assist individual artists with the costs of creation at the earliest stages.
(Photo by Mei-Chun Jau)
SUPPORT THE FUND
DONATE
The Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund is a 501(c)(3), publicly supported charity,
Federal Tax ID 99-3814207.
Your tax deductible gift may be made electronically using Zelle Pay,
either through your bank app or through the Zelle app
by searching Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund/donaldfowlerartsfund@gmail.com
or by scanning the QR Code below.
PLEASE NOTE: Particularly if you are a new donor, we ask that you also send a notification email to donaldfowlerartsfund@gmail.com containing your preferred contact information
so that we may thank you and provide you with appropriate charitable donation documentation.
Donations may also be made by mail to:
Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund c/o Nicholas Even,
4127 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219
(Photo by Karen Almond)
FUND BASICS
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The Fund will make seed grants that encourage playwrights and theatrical composers and creators whose work-in-progress is not yet financially or otherwise supported by a theater or presenter.
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For the current cycle, one grant is expected to be awarded in the amount of $5,000.
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Grants will be awarded to Dallas Metroplex residents. Metroplex residents whose projects encompass the work of (or collaborations with) artists in other locations are eligible.
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Full-time students are ineligible.
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Applicants may only submit one proposal per year. Requests for the same project should not be made by multiple applicants. Prior applicants may re-submit a work for consideration, but should highlight how that work has evolved since its last submission.
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Grant recipients will be asked to provide a progress report to the Fund at the one-year anniversary of the grant and to give notice of any subsequent theatrical production of the new work. They will also be asked to give permission for the Fund to share their identity as a grant recipient along with a description of the prospective work.
We thank you for your interest and support.
(Photo by Kevin Gunter)
GRANT RECIPIENTS
2026: Jenny Ledel
2026: Steven Walters
The Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund awarded two new grants to Jenny Ledel and Steven Walters. The two 2026 grant recipients each receive $5,000 to assist with early costs of individual theatrical creation and revision. This is the first time since its creation in 2020 that the Fund has awarded two grants.
The grant to Jenny Ledel will support the development of her new play "Dust Rises." As described by Ledel: “In 1914, American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright received a telegram that a tragedy had unfolded at his personal home Taliesin, in Spring Green, Wisconsin. This play explores the events that led up to the graphic violence that took place over 100 years ago. This story explores white privilege, feminism, and patriarchy.” Ledel continued, “What a joy and a thrill to receive this vote of confidence for my play. With the help of the Fund, I will be able to study this story in the exact location it occurred. I will be able to speak there with historians in person about the fine details surrounding this event. The grant funds will also be used to perform a staged reading of the completed draft in Dallas.”
The grant to Steven Walters will support the continued development of "Grant." As described by Walters, “'Grant' tells the story of President Ulysses S. Grant’s attempt to reunite the country in the wake of the Civil War. To protect the newly freed Black citizens and maintain order, Grant must confront political resistance in Washington, widespread violence below the Mason-Dixon Line, and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan.” Walters said, “I am humbled to receive an award named in honor of Donald Fowler, a wonderful human and tireless advocate for the arts in North Texas.”
PRIOR GRANT RECIPIENTS
2025: Lauren LeBlanc and Ian Ferguson - "The Penumbra"
2024: Janelle Gray - "Under the Bridge"2
2023: Catherine D. DuBord - "The Last Flapper"
2022: Adam C. Wright - "Another Night at the Crescent"
2021: Holly Doubet - "38 Minutes"
APPLY
The application cycle for the 2027 grant will open in January 2027.
Thank you.
DONALD FOWLER
November 13, 1961 – May 3, 2020
Donald Robert Fowler, a longtime resident of Dallas, beloved uncle, dear friend, valued member of the North Texas theater community, and successful leader in the world of luxury retail, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 3, 2020.
Donald was a dedicated brother and uncle, often making unplanned trips to be with his family and going out of his way to attend important events. He took special pleasure in supporting his niece and nephew in their achievements. To his family, he was a genuinely profound source of love, joy and inspiration.
After graduating from Cooper High School, Abilene, Texas, in 1980, Donald studied Mass Communications at Texas Tech University and University of North Texas, before relocating to Los Angeles, where he studied acting at Playhouse West.
He later returned to Texas, settling in Dallas.
Donald was a talented and spirited actor, writer and composer, collaborating with many theaters in North Texas. He appeared in productions at WaterTower Theatre (Parade, Our Town, Man of La Mancha, Company, Rockin’ Christmas Party, Sweeney Todd, Enter the Guardsman, Working), Uptown Players (Wild Party, Kiss of the Spider Woman, A New Brain, Falsettos), ICT Mainstage (Nine), Theatre Three (I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change!, Elegies, Company, Saturday Night), Irving Arts Center (Bells are Ringing), Echo Theatre (Cloud 9) and Plano Repertory Theatre (Songs for a New World), among others. He was the recipient of a 2001 Leon Rabin Award for his performance in Floyd Collins at Plano Repertory Theatre. He had a particularly long association with WaterTower Theatre. In 2005, he premiered his one-man show Jacket Required at WaterTower’s Out of the Loop Festival and in the Fall of 2015, premiered at WaterTower his musical Creep: The Very, Very Sad but Unfortunately True and Completely Fabricated Tale of Jack the Ripper. The production of Creep received a 2016 Column Award for Outstanding New Work by a Local Playwright. In addition, he was the author of the plays The Politics of Up and Peggy Lee on the Midway. Most recently, Creep was performed in concert at the Texas Tech School of Theatre and Dance in November 2019.
Donald had an equally stellar roster of roles in the world of Dallas retail. He began as a Sales Associate at Translations, spent many years as Senior Buyer and Manager for the Home Shop at Stanley Korshak and then held the position of Senior Buyer and Manager at Nest. Most recently, Donald worked as Director of Retail at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
Donald’s love, enthusiasm and creative genius were an inspiration to many. His life, music, stories, and generous spirit will live on.
Donations in Donald’s memory to the Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund may be made through the link above on this site or by mail to:
Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund c/o Nicholas Even
4127 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219
(Photo courtesy of WaterTower Theatre)
CONTACT US
Donations may be made through the link above on this site or by mail to:
Donald Fowler Theater Arts Memorial Fund c/o Nicholas Even
4127 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219
Questions regarding the Fund and the grant application process may be directed to:
(Photo by Kelsey Leigh Ervi)