The Willmar Project:
A Verbatim Play + Community Conversation
May 15-17, 2026
In 2017, The Neighborhood Theatre Project conducted over 150 hours of interviews with more than 100 people in Willmar, asking the central question:"What is it like for you living in Willmar?" WILLMAR is an original verbatim play created from these conversations and told entirely through the words of the people who live here.
Join us May 15-17 for the finale of this 9-year project — to listen to your own stories told onstage, hear the stories of your neighbors, have conversations across difference, and imagine the future of Willmar together.
Friday May 15, 7PM at The Little Theatre Auditorium (24 Central Ave E, New London) (doors open 6:30PM)
Saturday May 16, 2PM at Community Connectors Services (436 Litchfield Ave, Willmar) (doors open 1:30PM) (Spanish & Somali Interpretation available for community conversation at this show. Performance in English)
Saturday May 16, 7:30PM at Willmar High School, Brau Performing Arts Center (2701 30th St NE, Willmar) (doors open 7PM) (Spanish & Somali Interpretation available for community conversation at this show. Performance in English)
Sunday May 17, 4PM at Spurs Bar & Grill (313 4th St SW, Willmar) (doors open 3:30PM)
What to expect:
Before the show: join us for food from local restaurants + a Community Jam session led by Purpose Artisans
The Show: a staged reading of WILLMAR
Community Conversation: facilitated group conversations following the play.
Content Transparency:
WILLMAR is composed of real stories from people in Willmar and discusses personal experiences with immigration and ICE, racism, poverty, war, and drug overdose. This event is recommended for teens and up, with parental discretion advised.
How do I RSVP?
NTP believes that everyone should have access to theatre and that theatre has great value. Reserve your seat with a sliding scale donation of $0 — $20. Give what feels good to you, and join us no matter what. 50% of all proceeds go directly to local partners in Willmar to support community initiatives. We recommend registering online in advance. Walk-ins are welcome until we reach capacity.
The Willmar Project exists because of the generosity of Willmar community members who entrusted us with their stories.
To all who participated – thank you.
A special thanks to our local partners at Little Theatre Auditorium, Purpose Artisans, Community Connectors Services, Spurs Bar & Grill, Paz y Esperanza Church, Willmar Public Schools and Willmar Community Education, Pablo Obregon, Willmar Community Center, The Barn Theatre, Department of Public Transformation, Mixed Blood Theatre, Wonderlust Productions, and Pillsbury House and Theatre.
Willmar-based Advisory Committee: Andrea Limoges, Chris Radel, Claudia Medina, Jessica Rohloff, John Kellen, John Salgado Maldonado, Luul Gaal, Madison Wilson, Matt Hegdahl, Nicole Konz, and anonymous
Produced by: The Neighborhood Theatre Project Directed by: Alejandro Tey Stage Manager: Rebecca Wilts
Pre-show collaborators & musicians: Purpose Artisans, Nicole Konz, John Salgado Maldonado, and additional local musicians
Script Development Team: Annabelle Cousins, Andrew Garrett, Ellie Jackson, Gaven Trinidad, Jacey Erwin, Julia Schonberg, and Sahar Ullah
Artistic collaborators: Adam Schonberg, Emma Hasselbach, Glenn Girón, hawkhouse (Emily Hawkins & Allison Houser), Marie-Michèle Jasmin-Bélisle, Zeynep Akca, and many incredible actors
More about The Willmar Project:
In 2017, The Neighborhood Theatre Project invited people across Willmar’s Somali, East African, Latin American, and white communities to answer the question: "What is it like for you living in Willmar?” This question led to many other questions and conversations. A team of NTP theatre artists shaped these interviews into an original verbatim play.
Stories in the play include those of home and belonging, race and racism, immigration, the changing downtown, friendship across faith and cultural identity, addiction, and of feeling welcome – and unwelcome. WILLMAR developed through multiple readings and workshops in New York and Minnesota, gathering feedback from audiences and participants along the way. In 2025, a Willmar-based advisory committee guided the final edits, ensuring the play stays rooted in local perspectives, needs, and goals.
Questions, RSVP help, or just want to chat? Reach out to us at: julia@theneighborhoodtheatreproject.org