Take a seat Campaign

A New Era of Theatre

Your support ensures community theatre continues to thrive in Marinette.

Your philanthropic investment will ensure Theatre on the Bay and Children's Theatre continue to delight, educate, and entertain future generations. A strong, dedicated endowment will provide long-term financial stability for performing arts at the UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus.

Make a Pledge

Revitalizing the Theatre

Technology Upgrades

Technology upgrades will enhance the theatrical experience and provide students pursuing careers in lighting and audio production the ability to learn and train on state-of-the-art equipment. The scope of the Theatre on the Bay’s technology upgrades includes:

Lights

Upgrading the lighting system from floppy-disks to state-of-the-art digital stage and theatre lighting

Sound

Updating the sound system to ensure all patrons are able to hear every word of performances and presentations

Action

Adding streaming technology to be able to share theatre programming with wider audiences

Theatre Facelift

An overall theatre facelift, including new flooring, fresh paint, replaced lights and more will ensure the Herbert L. Williams Theatre remains a community mainstay for decades to come.

New Seating & Seat Naming Opportunities

New seating will enhance the comfort of the audience and increase accessibility for patrons with mobility challenges. Naming rights for seats are available from $600 to $1,500 (294 total seats available). Show tickets must be purchased in addition to seat naming pledge.

Make a Pledge

High Exposure Naming Opportunities

In appreciation of supporting the Herbert L. Williams Theatre on the Bay and nurturing the aspiring talent of our students and community members, the following high exposure naming rights are available.

Theatre Lobby: $150,000
Box Office: $75,000
Fine Arts Gallery: $75,000
Theatre Control Room: $30,000
Concessions: $30,000
Women's Dressing Room: $15,000
Men's Dressing Room: $15,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the fundraiser.

Who are the partners that bring Theatre on the Bay to life?

Marinette County owns and maintains the fine arts building and all the buildings on the UW-Green Bay, Marinette Campus for the educational benefit of the community. UW-Green Bay provides operational support through the Division of Continuing Education and Community Engagement for the theatre programs, including staffing. The UW-Green Bay Foundation invests capital resources to support the University’s programming on the campus, which in this case, will enable the county to update the sound and lights in the Herbert L. Williams Theatre to enhance the theatre experience for all patrons.

Why is this capital project necessary?

The theatre was constructed in 1969 and is in dire need of an upgrade. The seats are original, and many have been repaired, but several remain unusable. New seating will improve comfort and aid accessibility.

How will the Seat Campaign work?

This seat campaign is a way for you and other theatre patrons to show support for live theatre and other performing arts programming. Patrons make gifts and are recognized with a brass plate on one (or more) of the new theatre seats being installed. These plates remain on the seats for thirty, forty or sometimes fifty years before being replaced with new seats. Gifts to the seat campaign can be pledged over a three-year period.

At what level gift do donors receive recognition?

Gifts for seat recognition start at $600 and range up to $1,500. Gift amounts can be made in installments over three years. There are also naming opportunities for the theatre lobby, box office, fine arts gallery, concession stand and dressing rooms.

What is the anticipated timeline?

Renovation at Herbert L. Williams Theatre is slated to begin March 2023.

Will I be able to sit in my seat during performances?

Naming a seat does not include tickets or reserve seat assignments. Of course you can certainly make ticket reservations for upcoming performances and select to sit in the seat that includes your name.

How will the funds be used?

Funds generated through the “Take A Seat” Campaign will form a permanent endowed fund, the earnings from which will support Theatre on the Bay and Children’s Theatre productions. Annual operational expenses covered include production royalties, set design and construction, wardrobe and other stage accessories, artist fees, and event marketing. Endowment income will complement earned income from ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, and University support to ensure the programs operate with financial soundness from year-to-year.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about the Take a Seat Campaign or larger naming rights opportunities, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dave Wineburner, Marinette Campus CAO, at wineburd@uwgb.edu or 715-735-4312.

Email Dave