The donor newsletter of Milwaukee Repertory Theater Volume 1 • Fall 2015 WHAT IS DRAMA INK?
BUILDING A BETTER REP Coming off a triumphant 60th Anniversary season, The Rep’s board members and staff entered into a strategic planning process to determine how we can continue our proud tradition of producing exceptional theater created in Milwaukee for Milwaukee – theater that entertains, inspires and enlightens. We are pleased to share that our planning work is now complete and has resulted in a new mission statement:
As donors to The Rep, you are the most dedicated to our work and the most passionate about what we do. Many of you tell us you would like more backstage, behind-the-scenes information about The Rep, and here it is — in the form of Drama Ink! WHY A NEW PUBLICATION? We want to continue our dialogue with you, our donors, to share our exciting news from The Rep and plan to publish two to three times per season. So knowing there is an ongoing thirst for more information, our plan is for Drama Ink to help fill the void.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating worldclass theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity. This new mission statement encapsulates our belief that theater unites us – literally and figuratively – by creating shared live experiences that examine diverse viewpoints, celebrate our commonalities, and help us envision a better tomorrow. We recognize that our statement is aspirational, but this work is not new to us. Through the decades, we’ve fearlessly pursued the belief
on local issues with a national resonance. Guided in part by Ayad Akhtar, Milwaukee’s own Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, we will strive to become a world-class incubator for new plays. World premieres from the last season have gone on to play around the country and reinforce Milwaukee’s stature as an incubator for creativity and innovation. A Commitment to Community Engagement and Citizenship At its most basic, we will call upon the transformative power of theater to better our community. As a collective of more than 200 theater professionals who live and work locally, we’re deeply invested in Milwaukee and are committed to giving back to a community that gives so much to us. We will continue to provide innovative arts education programs, support local non-profits and community development agencies, develop engagement programs that align with programming, and aid neighborhoods with creative placemaking initiatives. The Launch of a New Production of A Christmas Carol Celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, A Christmas Carol has performed to more than 3 million people, making it Milwaukee’s favorite
WHY CALL THIS PUBLICATION “DRAMA INK”? When Mary John formed our theater in 1954, it was incorporated as “Drama Inc.,” operating at the Fred Miller Theater. A few years later in 1964, it became known as Milwaukee Repertory Theater to better reflect our connection to the community, and we have operated under that name ever since. As we contemplated the name for this new publication, we wanted to pay homage to our roots while embracing the future road ahead. We hope to provide you with news and information that will enhance your experiences at the theater and give you an insider’s perspective throughout the season. You tell us that you support The Rep because of the extraordinary productions you see on our stages. We hope that through this publication, you will see that your support makes an extraordinary difference to the work we produce each season. Every dollar makes a difference and, simply put, we could not do what we do without you. Enjoy this first issue and the 2015/16 Season!
Chad Bauman and Mark Clements.
that what we do can change lives. Our vision to create a theater district led us to convert an abandoned power plant into an extraordinary theater complex, revitalizing Milwaukee’s downtown. We boldly forged international collaborations in Japan and Russia, leading to unprecedented artistic exchanges that – regardless of cultural barriers – prove theater is a unifying force. Fifty years ago we launched a training program for emerging artists, inviting the best and brightest to Milwaukee to train with us and create a vibrant theater community. So, you might be wondering, what do we have in the works now? In addition to the top quality productions on which we’ve built our reputation, we are focusing on the following key initiatives: A Robust New Play Development Program We are committed to commissioning, developing, and producing new plays that highlight fresh voices, speak to a growing growing cultural diversity in our city, and focus
holiday tradition. Although Scrooge’s tale is timeless, we re-envision how it is told every 10-15 years to keep it magical and entertaining. The same creative team behind our hit production of Ragtime is already hard at work. To you, our closest friends and strongest supporters, we thank you. Your faith in our work inspires us. Your unwavering support sustains us. Together, we are making a profound impact in our region. All our best,
Mark Clements Artistic Director
Chad Bauman Managing Director
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