Education & Community
WHAT has always had close ties to the Outer Cape community. The theater was begun in 1985 by six enthusiastic local theater artists. Since then we have grown, but we have never lost our connection to our roots.
Community Support
WHAT would never have been able to survive without the support of the local community. Support that has taken the form of program sponsorships, advertisements in our playbill and charitable contributions. WHAT also has an amazing group of volunteers who usher, complete clerical work and man the phones during our appeals. We can’t thank the Outer Cape community enough for helping us thrive and prosper. Find out how you can participate become a Volunteer.
Educational Programs
WHAT has a number of educational programs for people of all ages. Programs designed for the youngest (Circus Camp & Acting Camp)
PlayMakers
Adults can participate in our PlayMaker program – a series of presentations, discussions and talkbacks that give audience members a chance to understand how each play was “made” and offers an opportunity to explore and discuss the play they have just witnessed.
WPA
This year we are launching a new program for dramatists – WHAT Playwrights Alliance (WPA) . The program will bring playwrights together to develop new work for the American stage. We will provide a forum for the playwright to prepare new scripts for production and further artistic growth. WHAT hopes to launch this program this autumn.
Filmmaker Takeover
Last February 14 filmmakers with connections to Cape Cod – full-time residents, summer people and students – descended on the July Harris Stage for the first annual Filmmaker Takeover. The films – shorts, documentaries and features – were screened over a three-day period. The audience reaction was passionately enthusiastic. We can’t wait to for the auteurs to take over the theater again this winter.
Cape History Project
Coming this fall WHAT hopes to launch a new venture in partnership with a consortium of Cape Cod historical societies. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.