Call for In-Hotel 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 (7p-midnight), Wed Sept 9 (2-4pm + 7p-midnight), and Thu Sept 10 (2-4pm + 7-9p). 

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 In-Hotel Independent Showcase Info Session   

Feb 20  Proposal deadline   

March 16 Final selection

Inquiries & Questions

*****FAQ LINK********

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