Music Theatre of Wichita

Who we are and what we do...

Music Theatre of Wichita, the largest subscribed non-profit arts organization in the state of Kansas, has attained an international reputation for excellence. We have been described as one of the nation’s top ten summer theatres, and are one of the few such organizations to mount all of its own productions each season, rather than bringing in touring packages. In this way, we annually provide employment, training, and invaluable business contacts for over 200 talented young Midwesterners who work hand in hand with first-rate Broadway and Hollywood professionals. While producing five Broadway-scaled musicals, Music Theatre simultaneously conducts a specialized training program, geared to helping these young people prepare for professional careers. Largely because of this unique program, Music Theatre can boast young alumni onstage or backstage at every Broadway musical currently running, and most of the national tours.

We cover 70% of our costs from ticket sales, and meet our other funding needs with corporate, private and foundation contributions, and fundraising projects like Performers Card and Standing Ovation Gala. Our audiences are filled with loyal season ticket holders from the Wichita area, as well as patrons who travel in (every two weeks during the summer) from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Colorado. We also have a number of theatre professionals who regularly travel in from New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, with a result that Music Theatre enjoys an enviable reputation in New York, London, and other theatrical centers. We consistently get wonderful write-ups in national publications and websites.

A few important things to remember (in addition to artistic, "quality of life" issues):

• MTW is one of three arts tenants who reside in Century II (along with Wichita Symphony and Wichita Grand Opera). This facility was built through passage of a bond initiative, when citizens of the region chose to create a city-owned, centrally located civic center for arts, culture, education, conventions, trade shows, and festivals. MTW is the largest rent-paying tenant, as well as being the largest employer of the local stagehands union, and the largest summer employer of the local musicians’ union. MTW also rents local hotel rooms (more than 800 in 2006) and apartments for the summer workers, further boosting the downtown economy.
• MTW annually provides employment for around 250 people, while also offering a safe and protected educational environment for 200 - 300 children and teens, who are involved in productions and in the Teen Choir.
• MTW independently raises its two million dollar annual budget, spending 60-70% of it back into the Wichita economy. Local hotel owners and restaurateurs can vouch for the impact on their business during the performance season. MTW annually contributes in excess of $100,000 in sales tax to the County and State.
• MTW utilizes the skills of hundreds of loyal volunteers, who aid in all areas of operation, from office assistance to ushering. The MTW Guild provides hundreds of suppers each summer for the cast and crew, and also assist in staffing the gift shop during performances, tallying questionnaires, and helping with a myriad of other projects.