Frequently asked questions
These are Frequently Asked Questions for our inaugural 2023 festival. Please check back in early 2024 for more information about our upcoming 2026 festival year!
Frequently asked questions
GENERAL
What is WPW?
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WPW is an inaugural statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals in Wisconsin!
Why WPW?
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We’d love to tell you why! Read more.
Where is WPW taking place?
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From the tip of Door County to the state line, across more than 20 distinct ZIP codes throughout the state.
When is WPW taking place?
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WPW runs statewide March 1 – June 30, 2023. (Though a few sneaky entries in our line-up actually start a tad earlier and run a bit later.) View our CALENDAR to learn more.
Is WPW an organization?
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Nope. WPW is not an organization but a coalition of theaters working together under the leadership of Forward Theater, Milwaukee Rep, and Northern Sky in order to amplify new work across the state. Learn more about the WPW Leadership Team.
Who is funding WPW?
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Initial capital for the WPW festival was provided by Lead and Festival Theaters, as well American Players Theatre, Door Shakespeare, and Ten Chimneys Foundation our presenting sponsor. View a full list of our sponsors and learn how you can support WPW.
ABOUT THE PASSPORT
I am having issues or have questions about my WPW Passport. Who can I talk to?
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If you notice an error in a listing, please reach out: info@worldpremierewisconsin.com. If you are having difficulty using or accessing your pass, please email our passport developers at support@bandwango.com. Call or text them at +1-888-921-5333
FOR THE THEATERGOER
How can I find out what’s playing and when?
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Head over to our CALENDAR page to search for a specific date or to the ALL SHOWS page to view everything that’s a part of WPW.
We also highly encourage you to sign-up for our digital WPW PASSPORT. No app download is required. Sign-up using an email and phone number and a unique link to your passport is sent directly to you. See plays and check in to earn points along the way. Learn more about the passport and sign-up now.
How do I get a ticket to a performance?
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Purchase tickets to all performances directly from the theater at which they are held. Links to do so will be listed on the calendar/passport entry for the event.
How can I stay in the loop about new offerings?
How may I donate to WPW?
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Our partners at Create Wisconsin have graciously set up an online donation portal. You may make your gift to WPW by visiting it here.
How may I volunteer for WPW?
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WPW encourages you to volunteer by offering to assist your favorite local theater and by spreading the word to patrons and theatermakers you know around Wisconsin.
FOR THE PRODUCER
How do I become a Participating Theater? Is it too late to join WPW?
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It’s not too late! There’s still time to join the festival! Use this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you!
Do theaters have to be professional theaters in order to participate?
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Not at all! WPW welcomes all theaters: community, academic, semi-professional, professional, and more!
What’s the difference between a Festival and a Participating Theater?
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Festival Theaters are the professional companies around the state who have committed to a full production as part of WPW and who have been involved in long-term festival planning. (For these purposes, ‘professional’ has been defined as companies who operate under season-long agreements with Actors Equity Association.) Participating Theaters are any theater-making organizations (semi-professional, community, and academic) who wish to participate by presenting a production, workshop, or reading of new work during the span of the festival dates. Learn more
How can I access WPW logos and collateral?
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Festival and Participating Theaters receive access to all digital marketing collateral upon sign-up. WPW encourages you to use the WPW logo for your season collateral! If you are a member of the press, visit our MEDIA KIT.
Is there a cost to joining WPW?
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No, there is no cost to joining the Festival. Please note that WPW does not financially support individual productions and readings; costs for every event fall upon the producer.
What are the benefits and expectations of joining WPW?
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Please refer to this guide about participation.
I am producing a new play in my season, but it doesn’t fall within the date ranges. Can I still be a part of WPW?
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To be an official part of the WPW Festival, the presentation dates of your new work must overlap with the Festival dates of March 1-June 30, 2023.
FOR THE PRESS
I’m writing a story about WPW, who do I talk to?
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To inquire about further specifics such as interviews, timelines, and more, please email Cindy Moran, WPW’s Public Relations Consultant, at cindy@bluehills.net.
How may I obtain WPW collateral (photos, logos, etc.)?
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Please download directly from our online MEDIA KIT. For photos or other information about specific productions, please inquire directly with theaters.
How do I get press access to performances?
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Please inquire directly with individual theaters’ marketing or leadership teams.
How can I stay in the loop about the latest news and offerings?
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Sign up for the WPW newsletter and follow-us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
FOR THE PLAYWRIGHT
Do I submit my play to WPW for consideration? How does WPW work?
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WPW’s role is to support all entities producing under the WPW umbrella from a promotional and amplification standpoint. WPW is not a producing house, nor do we pair playwrights with producers, venues, etc. A playwright has two potential entry points to have their work included as part of the festival: having it produced by a theater in WI or self-producing.
I want to self-produce my play. How can I sign up to do so?
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Use this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you! Please note that you will be responsible for all arrangements to produce your work.