MISSION: The Wilma Theater creates living, adventurous art. We engage artists and audiences in imaginative reflection on the complexities of contemporary life. We present bold, original, well-crafted productions that represent a range of voices, viewpoints, and styles. HISTORY: The Wilma Theater (a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, TIN# 23-7425668) was founded in 1973 as the Wilma Project; in 1979, Blanka Zizka and Jiri Zizka of Czechoslovakia forged a creative relationship with the Wilma Project as artists-in-residence. They gained swift acclaim for their bold, innovative productions and assumed artistic leadership, changing the name to The Wilma Theater. After many seasons of producing theater at various locations, the Wilma opened a new, state-of-the-art 300-seat theater on The Avenue of the Arts in 1996. Under the artistic leadership of Blanka Zizka, The Wilma has since taken its place in the vanguard of Philadelphia theater, and is celebrating its 16th year on the Avenue of the Arts in 2012. Our programming includes premieres of new work and re-imaginings of modern classics. Our productions enjoy popular support, they receive serious and extended critical notice from national and international media, including NPR and the New York Times, and they are honored by the artistic community, with Wilma productions winning 77 Barrymore Awards since 1995.