World Premiere Wisconsin
Press Release

World Premiere Wisconsin Inaugural statewide theater festival celebrating new plays and musicals runs March 1 – June 30, 2023

Festival features nearly 50 participating theaters premiering new works throughout Wisconsin

By - Feb 21st, 2023 12:54 pm

Madison, Milwaukee, and Fish Creek  February 21, 2023 – Four years in the making, after extensive planning and collaboration amongst a team of noted Wisconsin theater professionals, World Premiere Wisconsin (WPW) is proud to announce its inaugural festival comes to Wisconsin this spring. The theater festival will run March 1 – June 30, 2023 throughout the state – from the tip of Door County to the state line and across 20 distinct zip codes. The new works created for World Premiere Wisconsin by nearly 50 participating theaters will explore, illuminate, and celebrate the vastness of Wisconsin’s story, culture, and the many people who make up this great state. The comprehensive WPW line-up boldly says: “this is Wisconsin, and as theater makers and patrons, we take great pride in that.” World Premiere Wisconsin is Proudly Presented by Ten Chimneys Foundation.  

Additional sponsors include: Community Sponsors United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), Destination Door CountyFull Compass Systems, and Milwaukee Magazine, Spotlight Sponsor Destination Madison and VISIT Milwaukee, Media Sponsor: Isthmus, and In-Kind Support: Distillery. 

Great theater and the development of new plays are not new to Wisconsin – there is a long history of such work in this state. However, WPW now provides a platform for Wisconsin to be recognized for its exceptional work and contributions to American theater with this first-of-its-kind collaboration – both statewide and nationally.

When asked why she thought a theater festival like this was needed now, WPW Founder Jen Uphoff Gray commented“World Premiere Wisconsin was born out of my desire to celebrate the incredible theater makers in our state. I hoped that bringing us all together towards a common purpose could build new relationships, attract attention (both statewide and around the country) for our work, and generate enthusiasm for the exciting new plays and musicals being created here. We are already seeing these goals come to fruition, and I could not be prouder of what we have already accomplished together.

“Theatergoers will have an extraordinary opportunity this spring to be the first to see scores of new works without having to travel far and to know that by showing up, they are contributing to the creation of this art. Live audiences are a crucial ingredient in the development of plays and musicals, and Wisconsin’s audiences will help us launch all these stories out into the world!”

WPW Festival Producer Michael Cotey added: “WPW is a big, bold idea not just for Wisconsin but for all theaters. Theaters across the country are struggling. By taking such a big swing with this festival, we hope to set an example of what’s possible in the spirit of collaboration and inspire others with the work we’ve done to rally theaters together in their state. But we’ll still be able to say we did it first, and as someone born and raised in Wisconsin, I’m very proud of that.”

Festival Highlights 

New World Premiere Website 

WPW has launched a new website with a complete listing of all productions, readings, workshops, and more. Audience members can search the website’s calendar, filter, and explore categories like region, genre, or “Local Brew,” which features pieces by Wisconsin playwrights. Visitors can also sign up for the WPW newsletter and Digital Passport. Visit the new site here: worldpremierewisconsin.com

Digital Passport 

WPW is also excited to offer a free mobile-exclusive digital passport that allows visitors and locals to check-in at participating festival theaters, redeem promotional offers, and earn points along the way, which can be redeemed for rewards. WPW partnered with the technology company Bandwango, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, to launch this passport. Their team has successfully launched many gamified check-in trails with destinations in the U.S. and Canada. The pass is free, and once audience members sign-up, it is immediately sent to their phone and email; no downloads are required. Those who sign up and follow WPW on Facebook and Instagram will be entered into sweepstakes and giveaway opportunities exclusive to passport holders. To learn more: worldpremierewisconsin.com/passport/

Awarded Wisconsin Department of Tourism Grant 

In December, World Premiere Wisconsin was awarded the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant at its full amount of $39,550, which will increase the festival’s ability to reach more people across the state through print and online media.

WORLD PREMIERE WISCONSIN 2023 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE 

Festival Theater Productions: 

At the core of WPW are 248 performances across 11 full productions by Wisconsin’s leading professional theaters in three regions (Madison, Milwaukee, Door County), including…

MILWAUKEE 

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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