FAQ

What is the weather in New Orleans like during late March?

In March, New Orleans has an average high temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and an average low around 55.

How can I sign up to be a presenter/panelist/performer?

We are always looking for new and provocative voices to add to our line-up, and we welcome hearing from new artists that want to join us. We consider proposals from May 1 to October 1. Please tell us how you see yourself fitting into the Festival program (what possible events you could participate in), and provide a brief synopsis of your work and a sample of your writing (if applicable). Please also include your budgetary needs.The Festival schedule is generally set about six to nine months in advance. If you are interested in being a part of the program, submit a proposal to the Tennessee Williams Festival office by writing to us at: Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, Attention: Programming Committee, 938 Lafayette Street, Suite 514 New Orleans, LA 70113. Alternatively, you may email J.R. Ramakrishnan at jr@tennesseewilliams.net. If the programming committee is interested, we’ll contact you. Also please consider signing up for our e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We sometimes ask subscribers to share their interests with us. We are open for new suggestions for programming and this is a great way to “remind” you when we are looking for programming ideas! 

Who’s coming to the Festival this year?

Here’s a list of scheduled speakers.

How can I get more information on your writing contests?

Our Contests section has guidelines, FAQ, and a list of winners from past years. The Poetry Contest accepts entries from April 15 to August 15 yearly. The One-Act Play Contest accepts entries from June 1-November 1. The Fiction Contest accepts entries from June 1- November 15. The finalists and winner of the Poetry Contest are posted by January 15 yearly. The finalists and winner of the One-Act Play and Fiction Contests are posted by March.

How do I buy my tickets for the upcoming Festival?

See our Buy Tickets page for complete instructions

Where is the Tennessee Williams Festival held?

The Tennessee Williams Festival is held at various locations in the inimitable French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Most locations are within easy walking distance of one another. Neworleansonline.com and nola.com are excellent resources for information about the city.

What is the history of the Festival?

In 1986, Louisiana was in the middle of an extended economic slump. Concerned by the low morale and failing sense of community pride wrought by years of financial hardship, a group of New Orleanians pooled their varied skills to produce an event that would celebrate and share the enormous wealth of cultural traditions that enrich this unique region. The Festival was named to honor the special bond between New Orleans and Tennessee Williams, whose creative genius came to full flower in the city. Williams thereby exemplifies the long history of fertile relationships between artists and Louisiana. From a modest beginning (about 500 audience members enjoyed two days of entertainment), attendance has increased to 10,000 audience seats filled and programming has expanded to five days and nights of activities, as well as a host of special events.

How can I get more involved?

Become a Friend of Tennessee. Our Friends, in addition to making a crucial contribution to the Festival, enjoy special benefits such as discounts, advance ticket-buying abilities, exclusive party invitations, and VIP passes. Also, we have lots of volunteer opportunities around Festival time in March.

Does the Festival recommend any hotels?

The Hotel Monteleone is the official host hotel. They can be contacted at hotelmonteleone.com or by calling 866.338.4684 or 504.523.3341.

Does the Festival arrange meetings with agents or for manuscript submissions?

The Festival does occasionally have manuscript meetings (every few years). Please check the schedule for details about specific events.

When is the Festival?

Thomas Lanier Williams III—or as he’s better known, Tennessee Williams—was born on March 26th, 1911. The Festival is usually set for the last weekend of March in celebration of Tennessee’s actual birthday.Future Festival Dates
Please be advised that these dates are tentative and subject to change.

• 2013 – March 20-24, 2013

Why does my ticket receipt say I purchased tickets for Sunday?

Due to standards within their system, our ticketing service, Vendini, generates a single day and time to show on the receipt. Even though the tickets you chose may be for events that do not take place on Sunday, your receipt will read Sunday at 8 PM.To make sure you ordered the tickets you wanted, please look below that. The days and times will be written in with your selections. For example, GalaThurs630PM means you purchased a ticket to the gala held the Thursday of the Festival at 6:30 PM.We apologize for any inconvenience this systematic glitch may cause, and are working to eliminate this in the future.