West Springfield, MA (8/3/26) – The Majestic Theater is pleased to announce it is the recipient of an FY 2026 grant award of $15,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. This funding will support a new play about Shays’ Rebellion in commemoration of Freedom 250 Network, the public-private partnership leading the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787) was an armed uprising of farmers in western Massachusetts, centered around towns including Springfield, Northampton, and Great Barrington. Led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays, the rebellion was sparked by high taxes, mounting debt, and aggressive court actions that resulted in farmers losing their land and being imprisoned for unpaid debts.
The rebellion reached its peak in January 1787, when the insurgents attempted to seize the federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts. The attack was repelled by the state militia, and the uprising soon collapsed. Although the rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, it exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and helped build support for a stronger national government, leading to the Constitutional Convention later that year.
The Majestic Theater is inviting submissions from playwrights interested in developing an original full-length play about Shays’ Rebellion—a defining yet often underrepresented event in American history that began in Western Massachusetts.
Rooted in historical research and community engagement, the commissioned play will explore the rebellion through the voices and lived experiences of those who shaped it, creating a work that is both historically grounded and theatrically compelling. Developed in conjunction with the national America 250 initiative, the project seeks to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of those whose stories have too often gone untold, and invite audiences to consider the enduring themes of economic hardship, civic responsibility, power, resilience, and the future we hope to build together.
“The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support opportunities across the country for Americans to experience and participate in the arts,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As we celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary this year, it is a moment to recognize the important role the arts continue to play in our lives, communities, and heritage.”
“The Majestic is honored and grateful for this opportunity from the National Endowment for the Arts,” stated Terence LaCasse, the managing director of the Majestic Theater. “Telling a familiar story in a new way allows us to breathe new life into a pivotal moment in American history.”
About the Majestic Theater/Theater Project
The Theater Project is a non-profit company that Founding Producer Director Danny Eaton founded in 1991. Since March 1997 it has been in residence in West Springfield’s historic Majestic Theater, a venue originally built in the early 20th century that has repeatedly been named “Best Place to See Theater” and “Best Live Theatre Company” in regional newspaper polls. For additional information, visit www.majestictheater.com.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov.