Milwaukee Public Theatre

"Make-A-Parade"
Open Workshops
2210 W. Clybourn
11 am-9 pm daily

Monday, September 6
All-City People’s Parade w/Laborfest
10 am, Zeidler Park for line up
11 am, Parade on Wisconsin Ave.
to Summerfest
4 pm, "Waking Up!" revue at Miller Stage

2010 Workshop Photos

2010 Community Brainstorming Notes

2009 Photos

Support the Parade

The 2010 projects are partially funded by the Wisconsin Arts Board and National Endowment for the Arts, Milwaukee Arts Board, Milwaukee County CAMPAC, United Performing Arts Fund, Greater Milwaukee Foundation Abert Fund and Mary Nohl Fund, Helen Bader Foundation, Norma and Robert Ragir Foundation, Max Fund, Gardner Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Realtors Youth Foundation, Merrill Lynch, International Molded Fibre Association, Jewish Community Foundation/Jack and Lucy Rosenberg Foundation, MPS Partnership for the Arts, Action Recyclers, Heartland Funds, Morgan Stanley-Smith Barney, Ogden and Co./Clybourn Partners, and many individuals. Media sponsors are ShepherdExpress and 88.9 Radio Milwaukee.

The All-City People’s Parade is a collaboration of community artists and organizations, bringing people together to create public art and expression around a theme developed in a series of community brainstorming sessions throughout the city. This year’s theme of “Waking Up!” was prompted by concerns about the recession, the degraded environment, and the lack of real public discourse. Our brainstorming groups wanted a positive and affirming parade with music, dance, and powerful images which express their fears but also celebrate their hopes and dreams.

Second annual All-City People's Parade kicks off on Labor Day at 11:00 am, Monday, September 6
with the Labor Day Parade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin Avenue to Laborfest at Meier Festival Park. Free.

4:00 pm, Parade Revue near the Miller Stage

time changed to follow President Obama's speech

Read the illustrated pull-out program printed in the August 26 Shepherd Express. Segments include:
Wake Up!
Bursting Forth
The Recliner
Wake Up and Say Hi!
Word and Spirit
Breaking the Cycle
Fire Sale
The New Energy Cycle
Teeter-totter
Earth Studies
Splash in the Face
The Earth Goddess Awakens
Big Hearted

Read the ShepEx Arts & Entertainment feature story by Charles Grosz and MJS's Weekend Cue article.

In case of rain, information will be posted at this website.

What does it take to make a parade? We still need people to march, dance, wear a mask or pedal a float! Call MPT at 414-347-1685 or email us if you have not received details on Security requirements during the President's visit.

A NEW SLIDESHOW: workshop photos just taken on September 2 at the Parade Space, 2210 W. Clybourn precede older photos from August 24. Read our own feature story about the Parade construction.

The Dance Parade Brigade, led by Susanne Carter, is ready for "We Are The World". View the Yes We Can Can Dancers video from 2009 for a taste.

Check out the WTMJ TV interview with Azeeza Islam and Ron Scot Fry.

All-City People’s Parade Directors
Ron Scot Fry, Optimist Theatre
Barbara Leigh, Milwaukee Public Theatre
Max Samson, Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theatre
Stage Manager: Azeeza Islam, Milwaukee Public Theatre
Dance Parade Brigade: Susanne Carter, Carter Productions

Thank you to all those who attended the August 12 Champions of the Arts Celebration. Honorees were: Daisy Cubias, Staff Assistant to the Mayor, poet, arts activist; Christine Harris, Executive Director, Milwaukee Cultural Alliance, advocate for all Milwaukee art forms and Vic Thomas, Associate Entertainment Director, Summerfest; supporter of local talent. Kathleen Dunn Emcee'd the awards ceremony.

The video below highlights the 2009 Parade. Enjoy!

Inspired by the May Day Festival developed by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre in Minneapolis, the project is a collaboration between Milwaukee Public Theatre, the Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theatre and many community organizations, funding sources, individual artists, and most importantly, the participating public.

For more information, call Milwaukee Public Theatre at 414-347-1685, or contact us by email

This year our school has had the privilege of hosting Milwaukee Public Theatre for two presentations. On of the positive aspects of both programs was that they were both interactive. Our students were not being talked at; they were part of the determining alternative solutions to very difficult situations. This, of course, is a much more effective manner by which to educate young people.
- Regina Shaw, Principal, Mother of Good Counsel School, Milwaukee -

626 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 802 / Milwaukee, WI 53202 (Administrative Office) / 414.347.1685 / fax 414.347.1690

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