Call for Onsite Independent Showcase Producers
WAA seeks to partner with three independent showcase producers to expand showcase opportunities for our members during the WAA Annual Conference in Oakland, California, September 8-11, 2026.
Purpose
Independent showcases bring attendees together around performance and encourage discovery and bookings. Alongside Juried Showcases and OFF WAA (shows open to WAA delegates occurring in venues outside the hotel, across Oakland and the Bay Area), the Independent Showcase Program expands the variety of options for programming needs of many kinds and provides opportunities for more artists to be seen.
The Opportunity
Independent Producers can activate three spaces on the second floor of conference HQ – Oakland Marriott City Center – on Tues Sept 8 (730p-midnight), Wed Sept 9 (2-4pm + 530p-midnight), and Thu Sept 10 (2-4pm + 530-9p).
Requirements
- Access to the room beginning at 7am on Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Load-out will need to be completed by 11pm on Thu, September 10, 2026
- Space planning, audio/visual and other equipment rentals, staffing, and promotion for individual showcase performances are the responsibility of the producer
- Ability to produce 3 nights of showcases (see above for timing) in the room of choice
- Minimum-15-minute showcase slots
- Must carry liability insurance of at least $1 million and be able to name WAA and the Oakland Marriott as additionally insured
Space Details & Costs
Each room includes a (separate) Green Room; capacity is based on theatre-style seating.
1. Room 201: 648 sq ft, Capacity: 57 - $5,000
2. Room 208:1250 sq ft, Capacity: 152 - $7,500
3. Junior Ballroom: 2749 sq ft, Capacity: 240 - $10,000
Selection In-hotel showcase producers will be selected through a proposals process based on conference priorities and sustainability. WAA staff will identify and work with potential producers, and, with the Board of Directors, review and recommend proposals.
Eligibility
- Producers do not need to be WAA members at the time of application. However, to accept an offer to produce an independent showcase room at WAA, selected producers must be a WAA member by March 16, 2026
- Producers must be registered for the 2026 WAA Annual Conference by April 1, 2026, to secure the room rental.
- A certificate indicating proof of insurance will be required before contracting.
Criteria
- A track record of producing live performances, ideally with quick changes between acts, i.e. showcases or festival programming.
- While not required, producers who have experience programming multi-disciplinary work including theatre and dance or multi-genre shows will be prioritized.
Timeline
Jan 7 Proposal submission begins
Jan 9-12 WAA @ APAP available for consultation – Booth #119
Feb 9 Online Onsite Independent Showcase Info Session
Feb 20 Proposal deadline
March 16 Final selection
Inquiries & Questions
For membership or general application questions please contact membership@westarts.org
WAA will host an online Q&A session with information on applications for independent showcasing, juried showcases, and professional development sessions on January 27 at noon PST (1p MT, 2p CT, 3p ET). Register for the application info session at this link
Pitch Sessions for Producers, Agents, & Artists: The Next Great Performance Begins with the Pitch
What happens when you bring together the most creative minds in the business? Let’s find out at WAA 2026! We are accepting applications for Pitch Sessions
Share your project, program, or artist with a captive audience of presenters and partners through our 2026 Pitch Sessions.
Who: You are an artist, agent, or producer with an exciting project, program, or artist to share. You are ideally a WAA member, but it’s not required.
What: All ideas are welcome, but this year’s five-minute pitches provide an ideal opportunity for works with clear calls to action: Bookings and dates for a large or international ensembles, direct investment for a work in development, etc. Pitches, like Juried Showcases and Professional Development Sessions, will fit into one of the Conference’s three thematic Circles:
- Family: Works serving multi-generational audiences with intentional engagements that don't start or end at the matinee.
- Arts & Entertainment: Tribute shows, nostalgia, holiday, Broadway, and more find their home here.
- Beyond the Circle: Work that defies definition, crosses boundaries, and goes... beyond.
How: A panel of performing arts stakeholders will select 8-10 applicants to present their pitch to a live audience at the WAA Annual Conference. Those selected will each have five minutes to pitch and answer questions. A/V support will be provided.
When: Pitches will occur alongside Juried Showcases, held under the Conference’s three thematic Circles, at the Mariott Oakland City Center. Each Pitch will be a maximum of 5 minutes occurring during transitions between acts.
WAA provides a safe space for dialogue where creators and collaborators can share perspectives without inhibition and practice the WAA Code of Ethics. WAA supports the intellectual rights of creators and will not tolerate the appropriation of ideas by other creators or attendees.
Apply Now! Apply online by March 13, 2026 at 11:59pm PT
All applicants will be contacted by end of April with the results of their applications.
You may submit more than one application.
Inquiries/Questions
For membership or general application questions: please reach out to membership@westarts.org
Pitch Sessions for Producers, Agents, & Artists: The Next Great Performance Begins with the Pitch
What happens when you bring together the most creative minds in the business? Let’s find out at WAA 2026! We are accepting applications for Pitch Sessions
Share your project, program, or artist with a captive audience of presenters and partners through our 2026 Pitch Sessions.
Who: You are an artist, agent, or producer with an exciting project, program, or artist to share. You are ideally a WAA member, but it’s not required.
What: All ideas are welcome, but this year’s five-minute pitches provide an ideal opportunity for works with clear calls to action: Bookings and dates for a large or international ensembles, direct investment for a work in development, etc. Pitches, like Juried Showcases and Professional Development Sessions, will fit into one of the Conference’s three thematic Circles:
- Family: Works serving multi-generational audiences with intentional engagements that don't start or end at the matinee.
- Arts & Entertainment: Tribute shows, nostalgia, holiday, Broadway, and more find their home here.
- Beyond the Circle: Work that defies definition, crosses boundaries, and goes... beyond.
How: A panel of performing arts stakeholders will select 8-10 applicants to present their pitch to a live audience at the WAA Annual Conference. Those selected will each have five minutes to pitch and answer questions. A/V support will be provided.
When: Pitches will occur alongside Juried Showcases, held under the Conference’s three thematic Circles, at the Mariott Oakland City Center. Each Pitch will be a maximum of 5 minutes occurring during transitions between acts.
WAA provides a safe space for dialogue where creators and collaborators can share perspectives without inhibition and practice the WAA Code of Ethics. WAA supports the intellectual rights of creators and will not tolerate the appropriation of ideas by other creators or attendees.
Apply Now! Apply online by March 13, 2026 at 11:59pm PT
All applicants will be contacted by end of April with the results of their applications.
You may submit more than one application.
Inquiries/Questions
For membership or general application questions: please reach out to membership@westarts.org
Your Conference, Your Conversation
WAA offers exceptional opportunities for connection and we’re opening up space to our community in the mornings and the last day of the conference!
These sessions do not need to connect to a Circle.
WAA will support a limited number of Private Meetings and Affinity Sessions on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10. On Friday, September 11 we will have space for a limited number of Consortia meetings.
If you are interested in hosting a private meeting outside of the scheduled times, please submit this form and we will give you our capacity, if any, to support.
WAA is now taking proposals for the following opportunities:
- Affinity Sessions | Identity-based peer networking An affinity session is an identity based networking and/or learning. Open to all or closed to those of that identity by host discretion.
- Private & Consortia Meetings | Closed Session for Presenting Consortia, Member Associations, and Trade Delegations. Limited support for Board Meetings as well.
The deadline for all proposals is Friday, March 13.
Your proposal will be reviewed by the appropriate committees or space assigned by staff. If you have any questions, please contact Membership & Programs Coordinator, Makaveli Gresham.
We will notify proposers the results of the selection process by the end of April.
Introducing the Performing Arts Challenge
What's the problem keeping you up at night? What question does our industry need to answer together?
We are bringing something new to the table this year. The Performing Arts Challenge is an interactive arts salon designed to move our industry forward.
The art of asking great questions
Each type of question has a different purpose. Open-ended questions get beyond yes/no responses and instead ask participants to reflect on their personal experiences. Hypothetical questions are great for futurists who like to explore possibilities and specific scenarios. Here are some examples of juicy questions you could ask to get the conversation started:
- How do we keep supporting artists and artist communities, and what resources do we have to share beyond the financial?
- Is the performing arts sector in decline, how did we get here and how might me right the ship?
- What is the presenter's role to foster in international connection, if any? How do we continue to bring the global arts community together in the wake of travel restrictions and visa expenses/tribulations?
How it works
The Performing Arts Challenge will take place on Wednesday, September 9 from 12pm to 1:30pm.
WAA will publish the list of hosts and topics before the conference so attendees can RSVP and hosts have time to prepare. Each host will have a table that seats up to 10 with lunch provided.
The deadline for all proposals is Friday, March 13.
We will notify proposers the results of the selection process by the end of April.