Sept 8 - 11 | Oakland, CA
Independent Showcases
With limited slots for artists to present their work in WAA’s Juried Showcase, Independent Showcases enable agents, managers, and artists to bring work directly to the WAA audience. We offer two options for independent producers: Onsite Showcase Rooms at the hotel headquarters and Off WAA for work presented at offsite venues in our host city and beyond.
Photo: Good Co, WAA 2023; credit: Jo Cosmo
We have three rooms available for independent showcases at the Oakland Marriott City Center. Each room comes with its own green room and offers a range of potential performance formats – from an intimate black box for 50 to a cabaret theatre that could seat over 200. Located on the second floor, these rooms are easily accessible from the main conference center and hotel amenities, offering a seamless experience for attendees that’s an elevator ride away from where they are staying.
16 hours of showcase time
This year, independent showcases at the hotel can start as early as 7pm and go as late as 12pm midnight and will include afternoon slots from 2-4pm. More time means more performance!
Convenient and convivial vibes
Located next to the Fitness Center and Iron and Oak, the hotel restaurant and bar, these rooms let your audience define their own showcase experience. Imagine your audience catching a show between workout sets at the gym or with a cocktail in their hand.
Reap the benefits
You don’t just rent a room at WAA; you step into the circle as a sponsor. Enjoy all the benefits of your sponsorship level like complimentary conference registration, space upgrades in The Commons, promotional opportunities onsite and online, and more.
Proposals will be accepted through February 20
This year, the WAA board will select independent showcase producers based on the criteria of experience, diversity, and access. Proposals from all WAA members will be considered. We will accept proposals from non-members, but if selected, non-members will need to become members upon acceptance.
Onsite Showcase Rooms
Introducing Off WAA
Oakland and the Bay Area are rich with innovative arts groups and spaces that are perfect for the next great performance. Off WAA provides an official platform for local artists to get discovered at their home venue as well as additional options for touring artists to perform at exciting venues in our host city and beyond.
Your venue your way
With your own venue, you decide what to perform and for how long. If your artistry needs more than a 15-minutes or a hotel ballroom, Off WAA gives you the flexibility to do it your way.
Expand your reach
With an offsite venue you can attract a public audience and charge admission. To be considered an official Off WAA selection, you must offer a minimum of 25 complimentary reserved seats for WAA delegates who can redeem a ticket with an official conference badge.
Perform when you want to: 7 Days of Performances
WAA delegates will often arrive early or stay after the conference to explore our host city. We will accept show listings at any time from Saturday, September 6 through Sunday, September 13, except during the Grand Opening and official Juried Showcase hours.
Find a Venue
From piano stores to nigh clubs to performing arts centers, WAA Staff have prepared a list of venues that are conducive to all performance formats and convenient to the conference headquarters. Whether that venue is in Oakland or across the Bay, public transportation options are steps away from The Oakland Marriott City Center that can bring attendees to Oakland’s Uptown Theatre District within minutes as well as downtown San Francisco, downtown Berkeley, and beyond in less than 30 minutes.
