Gatchell & Neufeld Manager Grant Program

ATPAM is pleased to announce that the Gatchell & Neufeld Manager Grant Program is now soliciting applications for this year’s cash award of $1,500.  Established earlier this year to honor the legacy of Broadway General Managers R. Tyler Gatchell and Peter Neufeld, the program will, beginning this year, bestow an annual grant on a promising up and coming manager in the industry. 

Application Procedure:

Applicants should submit the following to gatchellandneufeldmanagergrant@gmail.com no later than August 1, 2015:

1.  A letter, not to exceed two pages, explaining why they are interested in pursuing a career as a Broadway manager. They should address what they see as their potential and what they have done to date in the business. The letter should include contact information.

2. One recommendation from a professional colleague who can speak to the applicant’s work to date. (recommendation form available under ‘useful forms’ from menu above right). Members of the grant selection committee may not write recommendations.

Applicant should:

1. Be currently working with a theatre owner, general manager or producer on a Broadway, pre-Broadway or touring Broadway production.

2. Have passion and commitment to the industry and to the people working in it.

3. Be aware of industry trends and long term challenges.

4. Be committed to personal growth and professional development.

5. Be able to integrate personal and professional goals.

Note: The recipient may be a member of the ATPAM apprentice program but that is not a requirement.

Selection Committee and Process:

The 2015 selection committee will consist of Charlotte St. Martin, Nick Kaledin, Jeff Wilson, Florie Seery and Stephen Bogardus. Deliberations will take place in August and may involve an interview.

Contributions:

Contributions, which are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law, are still being accepted for the program. They may be made payable and sent to: 

The Broadway League Foundation, Inc. 729 Seventh Avenue – 5th floor New York, NY 10019 attn:  Accounting Department

Gatchell & Neufeld:

The theatrical general management firm of Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd. was founded by R. Tyler Gatchell, Jr. and Peter Neufeld in 1971.  The two company managers met while both were working for the producing and management company Allentuck, Azenberg and Wolsk. The decision to strike out on their own, made over lunch at Nathan’s in Times Square, was not an easy one given the competition at the time.  The early success of No No Nanette starring Ruby Keeler, Helen Gallagher and Jack Gilford in 1971 was soon followed by Jesus Christ Superstar. In the mid ‘70’s they produced their first Broadway play, Murder Among Friends, which closed after 17 performances and left them with a stack of unpaid bills. Peter took a job as company manager of the National Tour of A Chorus Line in LA and sent checks back to New York so Tyler could keep the office lights on. After nearly a year on the West Coast, Peter rejoined Tyler in New York to general manage a new musical called ANNIE and the lights never went off. A series of shows composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber which the firm managed soon followed:  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song and Dance, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Evita and CATS. The original production of Sweeney Todd was a highlight as well as the plays Talley’s Folly, Hurly Burly, Precious Sons, Lettice and Lovage, and Shirley Valentine. The musicals Crazy For You and Chess, among others, and the multiple touring companies of so many of the productions they managed guaranteed the stability the two men always doubted they could achieve. Tyler died of a heart attack in 1993 running to a plane at JFK to attend the London opening of Sunset Boulevard. Peter closed the office nine months later to concentrate on AIDS activism and service through Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids which he continued to do for over two decades until Parkinson’s disease made that impossible. In addition to an impressive portfolio of expertly managed Broadway productions, Peter and Tyler were extremely nurturing of young people starting out on Broadway. Many of those who came through their doors have gone on to become producers, general managers and agents on Broadway and in theatres across the country. They were loved by many.