A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Milwaukee Repertory Theater

A SEASON OF FIRSTS
As we began thinking about the 2010/11 season, we set out to challenge ourselves.
PROLOGUE • Winter 2010 • 17
SET UP: Audiences already come to The Rep with high expectations: the highest quality productions of classics,
new works and world premieres showcasing the talents of the Resident Acting Company along with a wide array
of educational programming.
CHALLENGE: Maintaining The Rep’s strong foundation, but embracing this opportunity to shake things up a bit.
Make an impact on the audience from the very beginning, signifying our entrance into a new era with a new
Artistic Director, Mark Clements, at the helm.
RESULT: A SEASON OF FIRSTS . . . We opened the season to rave reviews with CABARET, our first full-scale
musical in the Quadracci Powerhouse. Musical fans and skeptics alike have sent in notes of appreciation for the
production and there were standing ovations at every performance.
• Building on popular programs like Rep In Depth and Director’s Dialogue, we have launched an array of
events called Rep Platforms with musicians, visual artists, cast members and spoken word artists. These
performances can be tied to what is appears on our stages, but throw new voices and perspectives into the
mix. Over 250 people attended the first three, which included an evening of Kander and Ebb favorites and a
performance by Lil’ Rev.
• We have invited hundreds of MPS students not to simply attend a traditional student matinee, but to explore
the world behind the production at Rep Immersion Days. Students spent the entire day at The Rep, beginning
with workshops, production demonstrations and a tour of our building, followed by an intimate lunch with
artists from the production and ending with a performance. Over 400 students attended the debut of this
program in October!
Attendee Katie Koza of Verona Area High School wrote, “From the experience, I learned more about all the
intricate details that go into a theater production. I was amazed by all the different backstage factors that
have to move in synchrony in order to engender a seamless production, from the set changes to the lighting
to the props. I learned more about the tensions that built before World War II from the perspective of the
everyday people and the show people of Berlin. Also, I gained a new appreciation for theater and all of the
people who make theater larger than life.”
And we’ve only just begun! We want to do more of this exciting work for you in the months and years to come.
Your support is vital. Please consider a donation in support of these exciting new programs.
Anne Cauley, Individual Giving Manager
MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN THE REP!
> Mail: Milwaukee Repertory Theater
108 East Wells Street Milwaukee, WI 53202
> Phone: 414-290-5376
> Web: milwaukeerep.com/tickets/support
Stiemke Studio, fresh with new, purple seats! MY NAME IS ASHER LEV set design by Kevin Depinet. Photo by Michael Brosilow.