Peninsula Players Theatre is pleased to announce it was awarded a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board (WAB) through their WAB’s Creation & Presentation program. Funds of the grant will support the Peninsula Players continued development and presentation of outstanding theatrical productions and community programs as the theater prepares for its 83rd season in 2018.
Peninsula Players again ranked among the highest-scoring applicants for these state grants, which are awarded on a competitive basis through a rigorous evaluation process. Panelists cited the 83-year old theater’s long-term financial health, increasing attendance, range of programming and creative efforts to stimulate community interest. The awarding of this grant indicates the Players programming and community engagement provides the highest level of excellence.
“I am extremely thrilled that this grant will assist Peninsula Players to continue to create high-caliber theater for the people of Door County and its visitors,” said Brian Kelsey, the Peninsula Players managing director. “It is particularly rewarding to see panel members from across the state acknowledge the significance of this Door County theatrical gem.”
The Peninsula Players 2018 season opens with “Now and Then,” the world première of a magical comedy-drama by Sean Grennan. “One of the most satisfying things I’ve been able to do at Peninsula Players is to help a playwright bring his or her creation into the world,” said Greg Vinkler, the Peninsula Players artistic director. “I couldn’t be happier seeing a brand new play launched from our stage.”
Two of playwright Grennan’s plays, “Making God Laugh” (2011) and “The Tin Woman” (2014), made their world premières at Peninsula Players and have gone on to have very full lives outside of Wisconsin. There have been more than 85 productions of “Making God Laugh” all over the United States, Canada and Latvia. “The Tin Woman” has been produced more than 39 times around the U.S. since its première and was produced in England last year.
“We are thrilled audiences beyond Door County and Wisconsin have enjoyed these wonderful new works,” Kelsey said. “Grants such as this one from the Wisconsin Arts Board ensure new works continue to be added to the national theatrical landscape.”
The Wisconsin Arts Board, through its grant programs, helps to ensure that cultural resources like the Peninsula Players Theatre will continue to be integral to the quality of life in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Arts Board is the state agency that nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, stimulates community and economic development and serves as a resource for people of every culture and heritage.
The Wisconsin Arts Board’s grants to arts and community organizations across the state help to make programs available to broad audiences and supports groups which undertake innovative programming, support creativity, artistic quality, community engagement, inspires curiosity as well as audience and patron development.
Arts studies report arts and culture travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek out authentic cultural experiences. The State of the American Traveler published in October 2017 that 34.5% surveyed traveled specifically to attend to a festival or special event in the past 12 months, almost double the percentage for sporting events travelers. The American for the Arts reported in 2015 that more and 68% of American adult travelers included a cultural, arts, historic activity or event while traveling 50 miles or more from home.
“Communities which draw cultural tourists experience an additional boost to economic activity and grants from the Wisconsin Arts Board and the state of Wisconsin signifies support and growth of the creative industry around the state,” Kelsey said.
Funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board, a state agency, will augment the strong support Peninsula Players receives from the community and visitors through ticket sales, individual contributions and corporate and foundation support. Organizations that receive Arts Board funding are required to match state tax dollars with such additional public and private funds.
Peninsula Players Theatre is America’s Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre, produces a five-show season of Broadway-quality comedies, dramas and musicals. Single, season, group tickets are now on sale for the 2018 season. Learn more about Peninsula Players and its 2018 season at www.peninsulaplayers.com.