Wilma Theater Launches Watch Wilma Streaming Platform with $200,000 Bloomberg Grant
On Thursday, the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia introduced Watch Wilma, a new streaming platform for performances. This initiative is backed by a $200,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies and features productions recorded at the Wilma and its partner venues, such as Azuka Theatre and City Theatre. The inaugural trio of shows includes DJ Hills' Horsegirl & Cowdaddy (Oct. 8-Nov. 1), In Clay from City Theatre (Oct. 20-Nov. 8), and Azuka Theatre's #CHARLOTTESVILLE (Nov. 5-19). Tickets are priced at $35 each or $95 for a bundle. Over the past five years, the Wilma has streamed 19 performances, with a $925,000 grant from the Knight Foundation, reaching audiences across all 50 states and more than 20 countries, contributing 5–15% of ticket sales.
Key facts
- The Wilma Theater launched Watch Wilma, a streaming platform, on Thursday.
- A $200,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies' Digital Accelerator Program funded the platform.
- The first three productions are Horsegirl & Cowdaddy (Oct. 8–Nov. 1), In Clay (Oct. 20–Nov. 8), and #CHARLOTTESVILLE (Nov. 5–19).
- Tickets cost $35 per show or $95 for a three-show package.
- The Wilma's digital production of Fat Ham won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a first for a digital production.
- The theater received the 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award.
- Digital productions provide 5–15% of ticket revenue and reach viewers in all 50 states and over 20 countries.
- The Knight Foundation granted $925,000 over three years in 2023 to support digital infrastructure.
Entities
Artists
- Lindsay Smiling
- DJ Hills
- Marie-Berthe Cazin
- Yury Urnov
- James Ijames
- Leslie Juan Rivera Ramos
- Leigh Goldenberg
- Blanka Zizka
- Johanna Austin
Institutions
- Wilma Theater
- Watch Wilma
- Azuka Theatre
- City Theatre
- Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Knight Foundation
- Pulitzer Prize
- Tony Awards
- Broadway
Locations
- Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania
- United States
- Pittsburgh
- Virginia
- France