LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I have had the privilege of speaking to many people about our state-of-the-art Associated Bank Theater Center. The national media coverage, as well as record-breaking ticket sales, have brought well-deserved recognition not only to Milwaukee Rep, but also to the greater Milwaukee area. To some, this might seem like the sort of monumental victory that would allow an organization to rest on its laurels, but not Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Within four months of our 2025/26 Season’s grand opening, we hosted 63 artistic and executive leaders representing 44 theaters to convene for candid conversations, bold ideas and meaningful connection. At the same time, theater critics and journalists from across the country gathered for the American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association conference.
During my nearly 25-year career I can’t remember another time when a single theater brought in the leaders of the largest theater companies in North America for a summit about the future of American theater. I decided to reach out to this group because it seemed like an ideal time to host a gathering of industry leaders who could share their wisdom with us and that’s exactly what happened. We heard from panelists who talked about how we can develop a collaborative fund for the arts nationally, in response to cuts in arts funding. We talked about how companies can be entrepreneurial in their structure. For instance, many theaters are forming LLCs (limited liability corporations) to maximize intellectual property and thereby receive returns off those investments, resulting in additional operating revenue.
In many communities across the United States, theaters are becoming more active in education and civic life. In fact, Milwaukee Rep’s Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center provides other organizations with a remarkable model for integrating educational outreach with other opportunities for community engagement throughout the greater Milwaukee area.
I think every summit attendee was in awe of our theater complex. Our facility has been recognized as one of the finest in the world, and everyone seemed to find different things to be intriguing. The Herro-Franke Studio Theater elicited questions about the video wall and how the flexible space was able to accommodate such a high tech show. They were also impressed with the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, and its capacity to flex between a thrust configuration and a proscenium configuration, making it possible for us to partner with any theater in the world.
We showed theater leaders from across the country that we have complete flexibility in our venues, in addition to showcasing some of the highest caliber artistic work in the country. I believe that they’re now viewing us as not simply new partners, but as an organization capable of generating theatrical work which can be programmed across the country.
Chad Bauman “It’s one thing to read about a newly revitalized theater complex, it’s another thing to experience it first-hand. After our recent National Theater Summit, our role as an industry leader has expanded in ways that will benefit Milwaukee Rep, as well as our audiences and our community, for generations.”
Chad Bauman, Ellen and Joe Checota Executive Director
Left: Chad Bauman with some of the artistic and executive leaders–representing theaters across the United States–at the National Theater Summit hosted by Milwaukee Rep. The three-day gathering this past March provided many opportunities for enjoying theater (three Milwaukee Rep performances), sharing wisdom and making meaningful connections for all who attended.
About the Cover: Some may think that because our stages are dark during the summer months there are no artistic activities taking place at Milwaukee Rep. That couldn’t be further from the truth! This summer, the Milwaukee Rep Arts Camp is offering a variety of activities and classes for kids from 7 to 15 years of age, where students are invited to explore all aspects of their creativity. Creativity is also lighting up every rehearsal studio, meeting room and corridor of the Associated Bank Theater Center as well, where our passionate and dedicated Artistic team is preparing for Milwaukee Rep’s 2026/27 Season and beyond. Read all about it in this issue of Drama Ink.
LETTER FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
One of the myriad of things I love about my position at Milwaukee Rep is that I have a limitless source of creative products from which to choose each season. In addition to our exciting New Play Development Program, I can also draw from classic theatrical productions, such as the remarkable Twelve Angry Men, which is being presented during our 2026/27 Season.
Originating as a teleplay by Reginald Rose in 1954, Twelve Angry Men was adapted for the stage a year later, then written as a screenplay for the film adaptation in 1957. We will be presenting the original play version (very similar to the first film), that focuses on a murder trial and the 12 male jurors who must determine whether a teenage defendant, if found guilty, will face the death penalty.
“When describing the process of producing a play, I like to compare it to raising children. As all parents know, every child is different, with needs that are unique to that particular child. So it is with plays. Each play has specific characteristics that need to be examined and nurtured, requiring months, or even years, before it’s ready to be brought to a Milwaukee Rep stage.”
The Herro-Franke Studio Theater will provide the immersive environment for the jury room, so that Milwaukee Rep audiences feel as if they’re sequestered with the jury as they try to reach a unanimous decision. What seems like a guilty verdict at first is challenged by one juror who casts doubt on elements of the case. Conflicting personalities threaten to derail the process and audience members will be on the edge of their seats until their final vote.
Another exciting aspect of bringing back a classic theatrical production after 70 years is that we’re drawing from, as well as celebrating, a group of beloved actors who have graced Milwaukee Rep stages just once or in some cases, many times. As of now, I can confirm the following cast members: James Pickering, Matt Daniels, Jonathan Wainwright, Marcus Truschinski, Reese Madigan, Antonio Edwards Suarez, Justin Huen, Ty Fanning, Andrew Varella and Ritchie Ruiz Henry, with two more TBA.
Because of our revitalized John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program, much of my time between now and starting rehearsal for Twelve Angry Men will be spent developing two new plays for upcoming seasons. I’m collaborating with Pulitzer Prize-winner and Rep board member Ayad Akhtar on the adaptation of his book American Dervish, as well as directing prominent Australian playwright Andrew Bovell, who will develop his next new play here in Milwaukee.
Exciting and creative times ahead, my friends!
Mark Clements, Artistic Director
Left: Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Milwaukee Rep board member, gave the keynote speech at the National Theater Summit, in the Herro-Franke Studio Theater. During his speech, he eloquently expressed why those who work in theater are dedicated to their craft, “What happens in a room with live actors and a living audience is different from anything else–somehow deeper, more transformative at its best than other forms.”
“What’s most exciting is the alchemy that takes place when we create a theatrical experience for Milwaukee Rep audiences. Over time they’ve grown to trust that we will present productions that may open a door to another way of looking at an issue or perhaps even change your life.”
Mark Clements
“The summer is our chance to put all of the strategic dominoes in place; once we start rehearsals for that first show, there’s no looking back. It’s our opportunity to look at how we make theater, choose our creative collaborators, and dream of what the coming season could be. The pace is intense, but the work looks different–design meetings, casting, seeing shows, reading plays, talking about the stories we have coming up and the inventive ways we can bring them to life. There’s something magical about the energy at this time–the whole building vibrates with potential and excitement. What we do in the summer determines the company we can be once the audience returns in the fall.”
– Laura Braza, Associate Artistic Director
SPARKING A LOVE OF THEATER: MKE REP ARTS CAMP
By Jenny Toutant, Chief Education & Engagement Officer
What does it take to spark a lifelong love of theater? Sometimes, it starts with a paintbrush, a sewing needle, or a piece of cardboard transformed into a galactic frontier. That question is at the heart of everything we’ve built with Milwaukee Rep Arts Camp.
Meeting a Growing Need
As arts education continues to shrink in K-12 schools and universities alike, I’ve watched a troubling gap widen and young people growing up never knowing that a career in theater is possible. Rather than duplicate the excellent youth programs already thriving in Milwaukee, I kept asking: how can Milwaukee Rep use its unique resources to reach younger students and help fill those gaps? The answer was Milwaukee Rep Arts Camp.
Year One: The Explorers Camp
“This is the best camp I could ever wish for!” – 2025 student “They began each day with a smile and ended each one with an even bigger smile. Thank you for bringing such a valuable, inclusive, and affirming program to Milwaukee.”
– parent of 2025 student
In Summer 2025, we launched our inaugural camp at the beautiful campus of St. Augustine Preparatory Academy. Over two weeks, students charted their own course through the arts, choosing from classes in sewing, painting, makeup design, costume design, props, acting for stage and screen, and more. The philosophy was simple: let students discover what excites them.
Year Two: The Generators Camp
Now, as we open the doors of the new Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center, we’re introducing a camp where students don’t just learn the arts, they use them to create fully immersive experiences for their own families to enjoy. Campers will choose from three imaginative themes: Galactic Frontier, Fantasy Quest, and Hall of Horrors, and spend one or two weeks building their own immersive world from the ground up.
Theater for a New Generation
Between our two camp offerings, my hope is that we’re introducing theater to a new generation of students who may never have imagined theater was for them and showing that it doesn’t have to look like anything they’ve seen before.
I’m also thrilled to share that this year, we start the McCombe Family Scholarship Fund, allowing up to 50 students to participate in camp with 85 percent of their tuition covered. This generous gift is inspiring, because equitable access has been at the center of this work from the beginning. Financial barriers should never be the reason a young person doesn’t participate in theater, and thanks to the McCombe family, they won’t be. In addition, we’re grateful to our sponsor, We Energies Foundation, for its support.
“Because the days are customized, campers are completely engaged, making the energy at camp truly electric.”
– Education & Engagement staff member
Milwaukee’s next generation of artists, designers, storytellers, and theater lovers is out there. I feel lucky to be one of the people helping them find their way in.
LIFE COMES FULL CIRCLE FOR DIRECTOR KELLEY FAULKNER
How could a 12-year old girl living in New Jersey possibly realize where a gift of music might take her? “My aunt went to an off-Broadway production featuring the music of Kander and Ebb, and she brought me back a souvenir CD,” said Kelley Faulkner, director of The World Goes ‘Round, the opening production of Milwaukee Rep’s 2026/27 Season. “I played it non-stop and what I loved about it was that it included the hidden chestnuts that don’t get produced very often. That CD definitely helped to kindle my interest, and even passion, for musical theater.” As for the full circle moment, Kelley gets to direct a show featuring the very music she’s loved since childhood.
The Stackner Cabaret is the ideal setting for a high-energy musical revue that brings to life the legendary songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the iconic duo behind Chicago, Cabaret and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Featuring 36 unforgettable songs, five dynamic performers will deliver beloved favorites with heart- and show-stopping style. Kelley began acting as a child, and pursued acting and directing through college. Once, while acting in a Stackner production, Kelley and the show’s
director discussed in depth a particular aspect of the show. Sometime later, the director turned to her and said, “You know, you approach problem-solving like a director. You should consider directing here at Milwaukee Rep.” Since then Kelley has directed and choreographed My Way, Nuncrackers and The Last Five Years in the Stackner, as well as acted there, so she’s developed a familiarity with the venue and its creative potential.
Since mid-March, Kelley and her team of designers–which includes scenic, lighting and sound designers –have been meeting to bring her vision to life. In May, offers to the five actors will be made and in August rehearsals will begin. When Kelley begins the process of casting a show, she looks for actors who embody certain skills, “When I’m reading a script I picture certain multi-talented people, and in this show the actors must be dancers, singers and musicians. But even more importantly,” she added, “they must have the ability to tell a story and have undeniable charisma.”
The World Goes ‘Round opens with a preview on September 11, and runs through November 1.
WHAT MAKES A PLAY “NEW?”
“As we evaluate what plays grace Milwaukee Rep stages, we’re always mindful of our mission to: Entertain, Provoke, Inspire,” remarked Artistic Director Mark Clements, “while weaving in Education whenever possible.” This is the best way to describe what the artistic team of Mark Clements, Laura Braza, Associate Artistic Director, and Annika Perez-Krikorian, Literary Director, are looking for when they determine what becomes a part of the Milwaukee Rep’s New Play Development program.
It may be difficult for some to understand exactly what is meant by a “new” play. Annika said, “A new play is a version of a play that you’ve never seen before.” A new play can be an entirely new idea, often called a “page to stage commission,” or it can be a “second production,” which entails the re-working of a play that has been performed on a stage somewhere else with the playwright who created it. The easiest way to understand what signifies a “new play” is that American Premieres (plays that have premiered outside the U.S.), World Premieres (the very first production), a second production, and a commission all fall under the “new play” category and are thus considered a part of the program.
“What inspires me? The surprise and delight I experience when I read a really good script, and I immediately start to think ‘How would we do that?’ and ‘What would that look like on one of our stages?’”
– Annika Perez-Krikorian
So where do new plays come from? Scripts may be sent to the Milwaukee Rep artistic team by trusted artists and agents, or often by team members attending performances at new play festivals or theaters across the country. As for ideas that could be developed into a play, those may come from a book, a current or historical event or an inspiring thought that deserves further exploration.
The New Play Development program is hands-on for the artistic team, nurturing each playwright through the various stages of the development process. In one respect, all plays have one thing in common. “Every play was a new play at some point in time,” Annika continued, “so we believe it deserves to be robustly supported on its way to becoming a full play and performed on a Milwaukee Rep stage.”
When an idea for a play is proposed, the artist is asked to write a treatment, which is an outline of the proposed plot, characters, and story themes. Once the treatment is approved, the artist writes a first draft of the full script, keeping in conversation with the Milwaukee Rep team to get notes and ideas. After the script is drafted and approved, a workshop is scheduled, where the playwright works with a director and actors in the room to hear the words aloud that bring the play to life. There are often several rounds of subsequent drafts and workshops, as the team continues to hone and strengthen the play. After all the drafts and workshops, the play is ready to be added to a future Milwaukee Rep season, and preparation begins for production: budgeting, casting, and continued development of the script through rehearsals. This full process, from treatment to production, can be anywhere from two to five years, or more.
Perhaps this is the time to share a favorite metaphor that Mark Clements uses when describing the development process, “It’s a little bit like BASE jumping. You don’t know how it’s going to work until your parachute deploys and your feet hit the ground. For me, it’s simultaneously thrilling and fulfilling, and why every opening night is such a rewarding experience.”
Annika Perez-Krikorian Laura Braza
A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO
IDENTITY-CONSCIOUS CASTING
“To me, a person’s identity contains a multitude of traits, going beyond race and gender. That’s why everyone who performs on Milwaukee Rep stages embodies an energy and talent that transcends what our audiences might expect,” said María Amenábar Farias, Artistic Producing Associate. One of María’s responsibilities is to look through an identity-conscious lens when viewing all aspects of a production, from its script, to its casting and ultimately, to what is delivered on the stage.
“By collaborating with the director of each production,” she continued, “our team is able to create unique versions of each show through the artists we bring into our processes, as they each bring their perspective which in turn informs the art we create.”
María and Jonathan Hetler, Artistic Producer - Casting and Special Events, are responsible for managing all casting across productions, workshops and artistic programs throughout the season. Annika Perez-Krikorian also helps out with casting, particularly with those that fall under New Play Development. In preparation for the 2026/27 Season Jonathan and María have already begun to evaluate 7,000+ head shots and resumes for Footloose, Milwaukee Rep’s opening production in the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater.
“In the ten days since our audition post in March,” María said, “we’ve received resumes from really incredible actors, the caliber of which continues to trend in an increasingly positive direction. We will carefully review all of the current resumes, and the many more we still expect to receive, for 25 roles.” Jonathan and María completed the casting process by the end of April, with rehearsals scheduled to begin in August.
This summer, as Associate Director of A Christmas Carol, María will also be conducting approximately 50 in-person auditions of young performers for Milwaukee Rep’s beloved annual holiday production. “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase young talent from our local community, and we’re always looking for new young people to be a part of our production,” she said.
“To me, a person’s identity contains a multitude of traits, going beyond race and gender. That’s why everyone who performs on Milwaukee Rep stages embodies an energy and talent that transcends what our audiences might expect.”
– María Amenábar Farias
In addition to her various responsibilities during the summer and throughout the upcoming season, María will also be directing Somewhere, the closing production in the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater. Described as,”A joyous and moving portrait of a Puerto Rican family chasing Broadway dreams as love, music and resilience carry them through change and uncertainty,” the show’s emphasis on dance has inspired María to begin conversations with her choreographer in the next few months.
As the Associated Bank Theater Center and the high caliber artistic work presented by Milwaukee Rep continues to be recognized on a national level, actors from across the country are taking notice. For instance, the Milwaukee Rep casting team is already receiving a multitude of casting inquiries for John Proctor is the Villain (January 12 - February 7), even without an audition post. Loyal Milwaukee Rep audiences already know what more and more people across the country are finding out: Milwaukee is the home of a world-class theatrical experience and all are welcome to share it.
María Amenábar Farias
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
FIND A HOME AT MILWAUKEE REP
It’s impossible to experience a Milwaukee Rep production without being in awe of the talented cast members. What many audience members may not know is that many casts are a combination of seasoned professionals and a small but mighty group of what is called, “Emerging Professionals.”
Established in the 1970s, the Emerging Professional Residencies (EPR) program recruits, mentors and supports Acting and Directing EPRs from across the country. In order to find the best and the brightest for this highly sought after program, Milwaukee Rep builds partnerships with undergraduate and graduate theater programs, and other young talent in the areas of acting and directing.
For Milwaukee Rep’s 2026/27 Season, approximately 200 people applied for 10 EPR positions, which include eight actors and two directors. While the eight EPRs are given hands-on experiences as understudies as well as onstage actors, they’re also incredibly valuable to the company. For instance, this season’s productions require that all actors be singers and dancers, as eight of them will be onstage in Footloose and A Christmas Carol, and five are understudies for John Proctor is the Villain, while one will be onstage and two will understudy for Twelve Angry Men. The directors will each assist 3-4 shows, rehearse understudy companies, and keep an eye on the piece once the director leaves town and we’re running performances.
Finding this rare talent is labor intensive, as this year’s 200 applications included detailed questionnaires regarding education and theatrical experience, personal
and professional references and an audition tape, followed by in-depth interviews later in the screening process. By May, offer letters are mailed and EPRs arrive in Milwaukee in August, when they’re shown around Milwaukee and familiarized with what it means to be a part of a regional theater company and with the Associated Bank Theater Center, their home base for the 2026/27 Season.
“The real value of this program is the investment we are making in future theatermakers. In the last decade, many programs that created a bridge
from the academic to the professional world have shut down, so opportunities to learn among working practitioners are vanishing,” said Laura Braza, Associate Artistic Director. “More than 85 percent of EPR alumni from the last 25 years have stayed in the business; many have come back to work on staff, onstage, and backstage. These emerging talents become our coworkers and collaborators, inventing the next version of the American regional theater with us.”
2025/26 season’s EPR class
Why We Give
Dawn Lindsey
Who I Am: I am an attorney, a mother, a Rep trustee, and an avid traveler. I am privileged to have traveled to more than 30 countries. My ideal trip is spent hiking the natural wonders of my destination, followed by a few days in a city eating, drinking and taking in a local cultural performance.
Favorite Milwaukee Rep Shows: The Heart Sellers (2022/2023); Dreamgirls (2015/2016)
Why I Give: Theater, like travel, expands our view of the world and our understanding of other cultures. I give to help ensure and expand access to this extraordinary power of the theater.
Deb & Peter Johnson
Who We Are: We are both MKE natives, as well as former career public educators in Waukesha. In retirement, we’re volunteers at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice and are huge Brewers fans. Of course, theater is high on the list of what we do. We’re also involved in MAM’s Scholastic Art Awards, which supports young artists.
Favorite Milwaukee Rep Shows: The Doyle and Debbie Show (2014/2015); Come from Away (2025/2026); Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2020/2021)
Why We Give: Ticket prices do not cover the cost of plays, therefore donating helps keep the quality of productions high. Our Rep theater experiences make us feel like we’re part of the Milwaukee Rep family. The strongest part of our legacy plan, our contributions to Milwaukee Rep, will continue long after we have taken our final bows!
Sue D’Alessio
Who I am: For 30 years, I have pastored churches, as well as served as a district superintendent and in leadership development in California and Wisconsin. Since retirement, I’ve returned to my roots, conducting a church choir. Family, reading, hiking, camping, concerts, and especially theater have been my sustaining joys.
Favorite Milwaukee Rep Shows: Silence (1995/96); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1972/73)
Why I Give: The spectrum of Rep shows have inspired, expanded, and challenged my perspective and awareness for many years. Milwaukee Rep gives so much to our community through education, artistry, cultural understanding, and shared experience of story and drama. This is my opportunity to pay forward to future generations.
MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Interested in making a gift to Milwaukee Repertory Theater? Contact Our Development Department!
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Chuck Rozewicz crozewicz@milwaukeerep.com
DIRECTOR OF MAJOR AND PLANNED GIFTS
Jenny Heyden jheyden@milwaukeerep.com
DIRECTOR OF ANNUAL GIVING
Amy McGuire amcguire@milwaukeerep.com
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Maddy Wysocky mwysocky@milwaukeerep.com
SENIOR GIFT OFFICER
Bill Walton bwalton@milwaukeerep.com
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP
Tyler Glor tglor@milwaukeerep.com
DEVELOPMENT DATABASE MANAGER
Nathan Schaefer nschaefer@milwaukeerep.com
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING MANAGER
Kelly Carr kcarr@milwaukeerep.com
DONOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Cassidy Long clong@milwaukeerep.com
MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER
Associated Bank Theater Center
108 E. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
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SEPTEMBER 22 – NOVEMBER 1
FOOTLOOSE
Get ready to feel the beat! When city teen Ren moves to a small town where dancing is banned, he challenges the rules, sparks romance, and inspires a community to rediscover joy, freedom, and the power of music.