Forward Theater Company
A home base for Wisconsin theater professionals that will expand the economic and cultural life of the greater Madison area.
What is Forward Theater Company?
Forward Theater Company is a not-for-profit professional theater company founded to fill a void in Madison — to provide exceptional theater experiences for area audiences and give professional actors, designers and directors an artistic home.
Our 2009-2010 Season is representative of the diverse and exciting work we will offer regional audiences.
Why Forward?
This company is founded on a commitment to the civic life of our community. The Madison area, home to the University of Wisconsin and the state government, deserves a professional theater that can enrich our cultural fabric with the highest-caliber productions. This educated, diverse and engaged population likes, wants and expects top-quality entertainment options.
There is currently a vibrant community of professional theater artists living in and around Madison, but the lack of places to work in the city is forcing many to leave town or the profession. Forward Theater Company will create jobs for many of these artists and could provide education, hands-on experience and employment for graduates of the theater arts programs at the U.W.-Madison, MATC and Edgewood College as well as the UW’s Bolz Center for Arts Administration. Wisconsin Wrights, a playwriting festival now in its 3rd year, has achieved national recognition and needs a professional theater in Madison where its award-winning plays can be produced. One of our goals is to enable theater professionals to begin and sustain their careers here.
Why now?
In times of transition, the arts become even more essential in our communities.
“The arts help you see the transience of crisis, remove you to more pleasant spots, help you believe that everything will be all right. And they get you all fired up and ready to take a risk…. And the arts that matter most in the Midwest are the arts that live in the Midwest. They are our sources of education, enlightenment and (perhaps most important of all) pride in our hometowns. For the arts that live in your town don't just invite passive consumption…they demand an intoxicating blend of listening, participating, conversing.”
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
The city of Madison and its surrounding communities have always been supportive of the arts in many forms — theater, music, dance and visual arts presented by amateur, semi-professional and professional organizations. Now, more than ever, our governments at the national, state and local levels are recognizing that the arts are a vital factor in job creation and retention and should be a priority in long-term planning. Madison has invested in a noteworthy arts infrastructure but now needs to focus on professional arts job creation and sustainability.
Why YOU?
By now we all know that ‘buying local’ is good for our communities, our economy, our health, our environment. Buying local is also a good way to spend your entertainment dollars! Not only are you supporting area non-profit organizations and sustaining jobs held by your friends and neighbors, when you buy local you are also investing in entertainment that speaks directly to your concerns, your stories, your history.
As we embark on this exciting undertaking, we intend to forge a meaningful collaboration with our community.
We are looking forward to:
- Your enthusiasm for a new era of professional theater in Madison
- Your critical evaluations of our artistic choices
- Your applause for entertaining performances
- Your support through contributions and ticket sales
Theater is, above all, a partnership between the audience and the actors — a celebration of the community and the creative spirit. We are eager to begin a long, inspiring relationship with you.
How You Can Help!
Sign up to volunteer your time and skills, make a donation to help fund our inaugural productions and learn more about our company and participating artists. Please consider joining us as we launch this theater of, by and for our community!
