"drama ink" - Fall 2025

drama ink

Take your places. The wait is over. Donor Newsletter

directly speaking

The Remarkable Resilience of the Milwaukee Rep Community

Dear Friends,

Recently I've been thinking about Milwaukee Rep's opening of the Associated Bank Theater Center, and how the celebration we originally planned has evolved into something far greater than we could have anticipated. That is because, in addition to the amazing journey this project has taken from an idea into a world-class theater facility, we are also celebrating the remarkable resilience of the Milwaukee Rep community.

To put this resilience into context, let's think of all we have experienced since 2019, when we first finalized the plans for the Associated Bank Theater Center. Since that time, we've experienced a multi-year global pandemic, supply chain disruptions, a labor shortage, 40-year high inflation, and tariffs, all capped off by an unexpected natural weather disaster. Considering all that's happened during the past six years, I think we can all agree it's a minor miracle that we're opening our new complex on time, on budget, and fully funded. In fact, I think it's the largest theater complex to open in the United States in the last decade.

By early August, it was smooth sailing as we approached the grand opening. We had the foresight to give ourselves more space by moving our production center to an off-site location (which, by the way, had never flooded previously). Then our community was struck by what was called a "1000-year flood" that decimated our entire production capability just weeks before our first performances were due to begin. This presented us with a very significant challenge as we moved towards the opening of the theater center. [For more details on the Production Center Flood, see page 4.]

Yet one of the things that I was most proud of was that there was no discussion at any point about delaying the opening of the building or cancelling any of the 700 performances of our 2025/26 Season. While some, when faced with similar circumstances, might have felt that it was more than appropriate to cancel, slow down or postpone, it was never something we considered. Every step of the way, our community was confident that Milwaukee Rep would persevere, and that we would honor the commitment we have to our audiences who have eagerly awaited our opening season. Most of us have heard the theater slogan "the show must go on," and our team pulled together to figure out a creative way to do just that.

Thank you sincerely for all your ongoing support and belief in our team and in our mission as we’ve navigated these challenging waters (sometimes literally). We look forward to welcoming you to our truly remarkable Associated Bank Theater Center.

on the mark

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol at Milwaukee Rep

Amid our celebrations surrounding the opening of the Associated Bank Theater Center, I have also been thinking about another milestone in Milwaukee Rep history that will take place during the 2025/26 Season - the 50th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol.

When I first joined Milwaukee Rep 15 years ago, A Christmas Carol was already a well-established Milwaukee holiday favorite. In my first couple of seasons, we continued to produce the adaptation created by my immediate predecessor Joe Hanreddy and Edward Morgan, former Associate Artistic Director. While this version was beloved, my goal was to create something that was more family-oriented – something that would hold the attention of both the adults and the children who came with them. I wanted to lean into the full title of Charles Dickens’ original story: A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

Five Adaptations Since Its Inception

1975-1983 – Adapted by Nagle Jackson

1984-1994 – Adapted by Amlin Gray

1995-1997 – Adapted by Romulus Linney

1998-2015 – Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy & Edward Morgan 2016-Present – Adapted by Mark Clements

I was inspired by the films that I watched with my daughter Amelie, who was very young at the time. In these films, what keeps your attention is that the visual changes every minute. In the current adaptation of A Christmas Carol, you’ll see this idea manifest in the turning and reconfiguring of the set from scene to scene. I even brought Amelie to rehearsals as a test subject. With a young child there, I could see how other children might respond to different parts of the show.

I was also inspired in part by the popularity of pantomimes back home. These shows are incredibly common around the holidays in England and involve quite a bit of audience participation in the form of call-and-response and singing or chanting along with the performers onstage. Those of you who were here for the first year of this adaptation in 2016 might remember a version of the script that involved much more audience participation. While much of this has changed, there

are still moments of pantomime in the performance, such as Charles Dickens beginning the story and then changing into Scrooge, or the moments when the Ghosts ask the audience whether they should keep showing Scrooge scenes in his past and present.

When I first began my tenure at Milwaukee Rep, I never envisioned having the honor to direct such momentous productions in Milwaukee Rep history. I am honored that the 50th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol will be my own adaptation, and to have the privilege to serve as director for the inaugural productions in both our new Checota Powerhouse Theater and Herro-Franke Studio Theater. I am so grateful to you and to our entire community here at Milwaukee Rep for your support, and I look forward to seeing you for a very special holiday season.

The Show Must Go On: Rising Strong After the Flood

On August 11, 2025, a severe flash flood struck Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Production Center in Wauwatosa, causing extensive damage to the facility and the critical materials housed within. The floodwaters inundated key areas where scenery, props, and costumes for the upcoming 2025/26 Season were being built and stored, including the set of our annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol. In the early hours of the morning, members of our leadership team arrived to find over three feet of water rushing through the facility. Pressure from the rushing water blew through steel doors and sent many of our props, tools and other materials floating down the Menomonee River.

In the face of this unexpected challenge, Milwaukee Rep’s staff responded with remarkable resilience, determination, and creativity. Within 48 hours, a recovery and continuity plan was in motion. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our production and leadership teams, and with the support of our extended theater community, we secured a temporary production center less than two weeks after the flood. The new space was operational and outfitted to meet immediate production needs, ensuring we could move forward without delay.

To meet the demands of our opening productions, we partnered with commercial scenic shops across North America. The set for Come From Away, our season opener and first show in the new Associated Bank Theater Center, has been built at a professional scenic studio in California. Meanwhile, the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol has been rebuilt from the ground up by a commercial production company in Calgary, Canada. Our production team has spent tireless hours ordering tools and equipment to replace what was lost, as well as cataloging each lost item to submit to our insurance company for eventual reimbursement. We are incredibly fortunate to have purchased $5 million in flood coverage, which will offset a large portion of the estimated $7.5 million in damages we have sustained.

While this year has brought unexpected trials, it has also revealed the best of who we are: a company defined by perseverance, collaboration, and an unshakable belief in the power of live theater.

Introducing the new

Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center

The new E&E Center is now open! Featuring two fully equipped classroom spaces and a versatile event and performance area, read below to learn more and join us for upcoming events in this beautiful new space.

Upcoming Events

Teen Night: Come From Away

When: November 21, 6pm

What is Teen Night? Join Teen Council for a pre-show dinner and see Come From Away for just $15

Dinner Dialogue: Come From Away

When: December 7, 4pm

Topic: Exploring How and Why We Share Cultural Traditions

Saturday Fun Day

When: December 13, 10am-12pm

What is a Saturday Fun Day? Fun for the whole family! Join us for a holiday-themed day filled with games, crafts, class previews, and more!

Upcoming Events

Workshops:

When: December 6, 10am (Youth) and 12pm (Adults)

What are we learning? Come From Away Choreography

Learn and perform the choreography for the show’s powerful opening number, “Welcome to the Rock”

Adult Training*:

Basic Acting 1, 2 & 3

Acting for the Camera 1 & 2

Acting Shakespeare

Contemporary Scene Study

*See

Welcome Home!

Milwaukee Rep is so excited to finally open its doors and welcome you to the brand-new Associated Bank Theater Center. With easier wayfinding and upgraded amenities, you are sure to have many memorable experiences in our new home. If you haven’t already seen it for yourself, take a peek at what to expect on your first visit:

Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater

The Checota Powerhouse Theater will feature upgraded seats that are wider and more comfortable. The overall accessibility of the theater is also much improved – guests will be able to access seats from the ground level of the theater and wheelchair accessible seats will be some of the best in the house, unlike the previous Powerhouse.

Some of the most exciting changes in the Powerhouse will be the ones on stage. We will have the ability to fly scenery in and out, as well as change the stage configuration between a thrust and proscenium style, which greatly expands our artistic capabilities. Among improved technical elements and industry-standard equipment (which Milwaukee Rep did not previously own), the work that you will see in our new spaces will be unlike anything else you’ve witnessed at Milwaukee Rep.

Lubar Lounge

Among the many upgraded amenities that the new building will possess is the greatly expanded Lubar Lounge. This new donor lounge provides a comfortable setting to connect with fellow donors prior to shows and during intermission. With its modern décor, cozy seating areas, and warm ambiance, the lounge offers the perfect environment for donors to enjoy a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

Guests will enjoy a full-service bar, including complimentary wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, as well as a selection of specialty cocktails and liquor available for purchase. A private coat room and private restrooms are also available to Lubar Lounge guests.

Lubar Lounge access is available to donors who give at the following levels:

$5,000 –

$10,000 –

Season-long admission for two

Season-long admission for two, plus four (4) one-time guest passes

$15,000 –

$25,000 –

$50,000 –

Season-long admission for four

Season-long admission for six

Season-long admission for up to ten

Giving levels are based on the total of all gifts made to Milwaukee Rep over a 14-month period. This includes gifts to the annual fund, gala, and capital campaign. Please contact Cassidy Skorija, Director of Major and Planned Giving, at cskorija@milwaukeerep.com or (414) 290-0718 with any questions.

Other new features of the Associated Bank Theater Center

There are several new spaces to explore while you visit the theater. Stop by the gift shop to get Milwaukee Rep swag or hang out in the We Energies Powerhouse Theater Foyer to enjoy a drink and visit with fellow patrons during intermission or before a show.

Find your way around the new building in the three-floor Sandra & William Haack Galleria. Whether you’re saying hi to friends during intermission or are grabbing a drink before the show, we hope you feel at home in our beautiful new space.

Art UPDATE

Milwaukee Rep is thrilled to welcome you to the Associated Bank Theater Center, a state-of-the-art theater complex offering expanded capacity, cutting-edge technology, and enhanced accessibility for our audiences.

After exceeding our $78 million goal for the Powering Milwaukee campaign, we turned our attention to the Elevate the Art Initiative to secure a predictable and steady funding stream that gives the theater the resources it needs over longer planning arcs to develop and produce highly ambitious works beyond the opening season of the Associated Bank Theater Center.

Thanks to incredible generosity of 171 donors, we have been able to secure $1,502,084 in new and increased gifts that will support extraordinary art on our stages in the first three seasons in the Associated Bank Theater Center. Their support pledged over the next three years will provide Milwaukee Rep with stability, creativity and flexibility needed to remain a vibrant force in the cultural landscape, ensuring that we can continue to serve as a beacon of artistic innovation for Milwaukee and beyond.

Thank you for your ongoing investment in the vitality of arts and culture in Milwaukee!

It Pays To Give Upcoming Donor Benefit Events

For

events, contact Maddy Wysocky, Director of Events, at mwysocky@milwaukeerep.com

Milwaukee Repertory Theater Development Department

Chuck Rozewicz Chief Development Officer crozewicz@milwaukeerep.com

Amy McGuire Director of Annual Giving amcguire@milwaukeerep.com

Bill Walton Senior Gift Officer bwalton@milwaukeerep.com

Megan Newbanks Senior Associate Director of Institutional Giving mnewbanks@milwaukeerep.com

Nathan Schaefer Development Database Manager nschaefer@milwaukeerep.com

Cassidy Skorija Director of Major and Planned Giving cskorija@milwaukeerep.com

Maddy Wysocky Director of Events mwysocky@milwaukeerep.com

Tyler Glor Associate Director of Stewardship tglor@milwaukeerep.com

Cassidy Long Donor Relations Specialist clong@milwaukeerep.com

To make a gift in support of Milwaukee Repertory Theater, please contact the Development Department.