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626 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 802 / Milwaukee, WI 53202 (Administrative Office) / 414.347.1685 / fax 414.347.1690
©2012 Milwaukee Public Theatre. All Rights Reserved.
Programs
Teens and adults 13 & older,
groups welcome.
Sundays, 4:30 to 6 pm at MPT's Artivity Place
Shops of Grand Avenue,
161 W. Wisconsin.
Call 414-347-1685
Original Theatreworks: Available for Touring
Original Theatreworks: FLOW (2011)
Healing Arts: From the Start, Consider the Finish and other wellness programs
Healing Arts: Tap the Potential Disability Awareness Month
Educational Workshops & Arts Residencies
Special Events & Custom Programs
Cultivating Community through Public Art: Parades, Festivals, more
Milwaukee Public Theatre is one of the area's few professional nonprofit touring companies that increases awareness of current social issues, promotes cultural diversity, and provides healing arts and wellness resources.
Artists & Performers include:
musicians - classical, jazz, hip hop, pop, world cultures, drummers, Broadway, opera, operetta
dancers - all styles
actors - classical characters, historical impersonators, improv performers
scriptwriters
craft & workshop artists
jewelry makers
face and body painters
dollmakers
caricaturists
chalk artists
muralists
martial artists
flag & fire spinners
puppeteers
fortunetellers
magicians
storytellers
clowns
balloon clowns
mimes
ventriloquists
jugglers
stiltwalkers
designers
costumers
Educational Workshops & Arts Residencies:
Milwaukee Public Theatre designs workshops and longer arts residencies featuring artists from many cultures and arts disciplines. Most can be tailored for all ages and abilities.
As an Artist In Residence at Lincoln Center Middle School of the Arts since 1979, Milwaukee Public Theatre works extensively with MPS and other educational institutions. See the Milwaukee Arts Education Directory for the ways that MPT relates programming to various curricula.
STORYBRIDGE: professional artists and senior volunteers work with first through third grade children, using stories and theatre arts to increase communication, writing and literacy skills. 2012 StoryBridge is now being held at Cass St. School and Emmaus Lutheran School.
MPT professional theatre artist/ storyteller Kim Ballou directs the program, which is primarily funded through the Helen Bader Foundation.
Teacher comments from Keefe Ave. School and Thoreau School:
"It was a good experience. My students had a great time and enjoyed each meeting."
"I feel these workshops have opened up the children’s mind to be more creative and visual in their writing lessons. It also gives them the opportunity to write freely without worrying about getting a grade for their work."
"Ms. Ballou helped my students add creativity to their writing. She also helped them work on the mechanics and grammar. I think my students really benefited from Ms. Ballou”s lessons on public speaking. She worked with them on reading with expression and entertaining the audience."
"I was able to get a lot of great ideas that I will use in my classroom in the future."
"Having people of different ages work with my students teaches them respect for all. I really enjoyed it and would do it again."
2011 fall sessions were held at Clark St. School and Cass St. School to encourage a love of reading, increase literacy skills and create confidence in speaking before a group.
Last summer we worked at Next Door Foundation. In the 2010-11 school year, we worked at Keefe Avenue School. The program was oirignally developed by Azeeza Islam in 2007.
(Slide show at right is from 2010 fall semester.)
HEALTHY CHOICES: A recent grant helps support four programs promoting wellness and fitness. Educational and interactive programming encouraging children to make healthy lifestyle choices is taught by professional theatre arts instructors. Programs offered both as one-hour after-school sessions and as full-day or week-long residencies in the summer. For more information contact Milwaukee Public Theatre at 414-347-1685, or by email.
- APPLIED THEATRE: Empowering vignettes deal with social issues, and invite audience participation in a “rehearsal for life” providing kids with tools to explore solutions to problems they face every day. Developed in collaboration with the Center for Applied Theatre, directed by Mark Weinberg and Jenny Wanasek, shows include AMY'S ADDICTION, JOEY'S LUNCH MONEY BLUES and PARTY GIRL which address drug/alcohol/tobacco issues, bullying and violence. 90-120 minute, 5-6 person show; Middle School - Adult.
- FAQS (Facing Adolescent Questions About Sex): An original show with music by and for young people about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. 30 minute performance, 20-30 minute talk-back; Middle and high school classrooms or small assemblies.
- FUN&FIT4EVER: Build fitness, communication, self-confidence and team skills in a variety of active workshops from martial arts to physical theater. Designed to be age and site-specific. K - Adult.
- RAINBOW CIRQUS: Participants learn a variety of circus skills and develop a performance that may include juggling, tumbling, clowning, stilt-walking and specialty acts. Residency can also address healthy lifestyle and nutrition choices. Grade 3 - Adult.
MORE WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES
Cost depends on length of the program, the number of artists involved and the cost of materials. Note: a performance or showcase requires a minimum of ten hours of hands-on workshops.
The following workshops and/or residencies can focus on promoting teamwork, communication skills, and self-esteem exploring themes that can relate to any curriculum, e.g., Literacy, Environment, Health, History, Math, Science, Social Studies, Conflict Resolution. They are also available for adult groups.
ACTION THEATRE: Create a character through improvisation, movement, gesture and facial expression, then develop and produce an original show for an invited audience. K - Adult.
STORYTELLING/CREATIVE DRAMATICS: Storytelling/acting, improvisation workshops can result in a performance for their classmates and parents. K - Adult.
Other workshops include:
CRAFTS WORKSHOPS: Basic Doll Making, Jewelry Making, Basic Hand Bookbinding, Working with Clay. Ages 6 and up.
DANCE/MOVEMENT: African, Latin, Stepping, Hip Hop, Zumba, Nia, Line Dancing, Tap, Hoop Spinning, Ballroom, Capoiera taught by professional dancers from diverse cultures and traditions. Grade 1 - Adult.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESIDENCY: Learn the basics of running a business by making and selling craft items such as hand-made paper cards, tie-dye t-shirts and pillows, candles, soap, etc. Grade 3 - Adult.
MULTI-CULTURAL CRAFTS: Native American, African, Asian and Latino craft artists guide a variety of projects, including jewelry/beading, leatherwork, prints, dolls, origami, etc. Grade 1 - Adult.
MUSIC: a) Percussion Workshops: drumming, typical rhythms, songs and chants from African, Latin and Native American cultures; b) Make and play simple instruments: drums, shakers, claves, etc.; c) Music Composition: compose original songs and record them on a CD. Grade 1 - Adult.
PARADES AND LARGE-SCALE COMMUNITY EVENTS: Create masks, banners, headdresses, costumes, giant puppets, floats, etc. and participate in Summer of Peace, Dia de los Muertos, All-City People’s Parade, National Night Out, and other community events. Grade 1 - Adult.
PUPPETRY: Make simple hand puppets and perform puppet plays from existing stories, or scripted plays created by children themselves. K - Adult.
In addition, MPT creates highly acclaimed original theatreworks about contemporary themes and social issues. Call 414-347-1685 or email for more details.
Recent organizations which have sponsored residencies or workshops include:
Boys and Girls Clubs, Children's Outing Association (Garfield and Goldin), Fletcher School, Fratney School, Fritsche Middle School, Green Bay Avenue School, Hi Mount School, Keefe Avenue School, Lincoln Center of the Arts, Longfellow Middle School, Loyola Academy, Marshall High School, Maryland Montessori, Metcalfe, Milwaukee Christian Center, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Mitchell Street School, Neighborhood House, Next Door Foundation, St. Joan Antida, Silver Spring Community Nursing Center, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, SDC Head Start, Spotted Eagle, Task Force on Family Violence, and Washington High School.
- Annie Sullivan, Guidance Counselor, Catholic East Elementary -