Programs

Original Theatreworks: Available for Touring

Past Original Theatreworks:
PIECES: In My Own Voice (2012, 2013)
FLOW: The Traveling Water Circus (2011) From the Start, Consider the Finish (2011)

Healing Arts: Other wellness programs

Healing Arts: Tap the Potential Disability Awareness Month

Educational Workshops & Arts Residencies

Arts Residencies

Special Events & Custom Programs

SMARTCORPS

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.

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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

Here’s what people say about Milwaukee Public Theatre:

Please send us YOUR comments by email.

"Great organization that has made MANY people smile, laugh, wonder, think, parade throughout the years"
~ Margaret Brill

Amy Hart reminisces about "It's Our Neighborhood" with Friends Mime Theatre.

F.A.Q.S. (Facing Adolescent Questions About Sex): Results from Survey from Jill Florence Lackey and Associates (2012)
• … for young as well as older people the information was presented in a way that was very engaging.
• …, reaches students at their level. Students felt free to ask questions.
• I thought it was well done especially by the teens. Great Job!—Riverside H.S. teacher
• Educational, funny, entertaining, creative, (we) were captivated! –-Riverside H.S. teacher
• Yes, very informative. Hearing and seeing from young people… the facts may very well stay in their minds. –-LCA Teacher
• It's a better way to teach us stuff than just talking. –-Audubon M.S.
• It was good, makes me want to get tested. --Audubon M.S.
• (I liked) that it was funny but it teached you about being safe and making the right choice. --Audubon M.S.
• I like it because it gave us facts about the truth. I like the songs explaining facts about HIV. --Lincoln M.S.

Joeys Lunch Money Blues: Results of UWM Professional Survey: (2012)
• After watching Joey’s Lunch Money Blues, 96% of students reported that they would
ask for help if they were being bullied at least some of the time, with 69% of students
reporting they would ask for help most or all of the time.
• After watching Party Girl, the number of students who said they could resist peer
pressure increased by 20%, and the number of students who said they would always ask for help in a difficult situation increased by 15%.
• It was pretty cool being in this play. I liked it a lot. -- Thurston Woods School
• I thought the play was great. It was an educational experience for the children. It
taught them that it’s okay to say no, especially when you feel like you're in a bad
situation. The play had real-life scenarios that some of the children have already or will
deal with.--53rd Street School
• I really think that this experience is excellent for students. It allows them the opportunity to participate and express themselves positively. The discussion and problem-solving aspect of the experience is wonderful. I love this experience for all students. --53rd Street School
• I thought this was a good opportunity for our students to participate in an interactive
theatre experience that relates to content material my students may encounter.
--Fairview Elementary
• It was an experience I will never forget.--Fairview Elementary
• I loved the format and how things went. Students were so engaged and able to share. It’s pretty great how the students’ ideas were supported.” --Maryland Avenue Montessori

All-City People’s Parade: (2012)
• I’m very excited about (the parade) and I’m hoping we continue to work on it because I think it’s very very good for the city. --Milwaukee Mayor Thomas Barrett
• The All-City Parade was a perfect opportunity for … young people to get involved and to share in the aspirations for better neighborhoods and a more just world for them and their families. Youth had fun while making a contribution….The All-City People’s Parade, I believe, is already an asset to the community that would be hard to replace. --Norma Ballentine, Safe and Sound
• We are currently working on the All Cities Peoples Parade and I love it! We’re making costumes for the dancers, big walking puppets, insects, and many more cool projects to bring this parade alive. I think this is great for local teenage artist or anyone who is interested in the arts. -–MPT Summer Intern, Jecilia Negron, Age 14
• The thing I really appreciate about the All-City People’s parade and Pageant is that so many Milwaukee residents have been a part of this…Not only did people learn to make puppets and how to work puppets, but there are dance numbers, singing and even just dreaming together and putting together their vision of what is going on in Milwaukee and what really needs to change for the better. --Tanya Lynn Cromartie, Co-founder, Summer of Peace; Hostess, Channel One, “Everyday People”

StoryBridge: (2012)
• The workshops improved their writing and reading. I saw students working on story ideas, story structure, spelling and punctuation. I have seen the biggest gain in communication skills. Students are reading with confidence, using eye contact, reading with expression. --Sherman Multi-cultural Arts School
• I was able to get a lot of great ideas that I will use in my classroom in the future. --Keefe Av. School
• I think having people of different ages work with my students teaches them respect for all age groups. –-Thoreau School

Pieces: In My Own Voice: (2012)
• Student actors seemed to be a great way for high school students to feel comfortable and relate to the topics discussed. --South Division H.S. Teacher
• I really enjoyed working on Pieces. The experience and knowledge about mental health through the text will surely stick with me….So now with this acquired knowledge I can educate others—all thanks to Pieces.-Trayvon W., MHSA Student
• Working on Pieces was a very cathartic experience. The material of mental health really changed my aspect on the area as a whole. I have a new understanding of the hardships these victims go through. Artistically, I’ve grown as an actor by working on this piece. –-John Riley, MHSA
• I was just blown away by the performance Pieces. What a wonderful idea! I have been a Licensed Clinical Psychologist for 25years, and have yet to be able to describe mental health in such an illustrative fashion.--Dr. Ingrid D. Hicks
• I was thinking about the play and how every person can identify with one of the characters. You have brought us closer to erasing stigma, this production should be brought into every school. --Barbara Rodriguez Sorensen

Tap the Potential: Barbara Leigh’s Humor and Healing Keynote: (2012)
• This session was great-It put a smile on my face and motivated me-; Superb!!!— EAPA Conference, 2012
• I thought today was very helpful. Not only was the speaker fun an engaging but her points were extremely valid.
• Dr. Leigh was such an inspirational women. Her personal account was both touching and humorous-I was amazed by her creative spirit.
• I also enjoyed her perspective on the healing process and is a lesson I will carry with me in my future career. -- Marquette University Nursing Students

Tap the Potential Art Exhibit Comments, Mitchell International Airport
• I loved having the privilege of looking at all of your work!!!
• Thank you for making my morning great! --Jesse Maier J Cottage Grove Wisconsin to Norfolk
• Thank you for showing us new ways to see our work. People with possibilities teach us so much!
• THANK YOU for sharing your talent with us! It’s all great & raises good awareness --J Janesville
• Awesome job! Back to Florence, Italy now. Ciao!
• Nice touch to airport! Every airport should do this –Katie Count
As the mother of a 4-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, you INSPIRE me & give me HOPE! --J

FROM THE START, CONSIDER THE FINISH: 2011

“In a word: Brilliant. One more word: Invaluable. Many, many people should experience this production!!”
~David Peterson, Professor Emeritus, Theatre and Music,UW-Extension and UW-Madison

Audience comments:
“I was totally immersed in the subject and gained an understanding of the wondrous concept and practice of Hospice that I had no prior experience or knowledge of.”

READ MORE comments on From the Start, Consider the Finish

PIECES-IN MY OWN VOICE: 2011

"I had to write you a note of appreciation. I was just blown away by the performance Pieces. What a wonderful idea! I have been a Licensed Clinical Psychologist for 25years, and have yet to be able to describe mental health in such an illustrative fashion. I especially made it a point to bring my 2 nieces, who understood what ‘auntie does now.’ I also teach classes.....Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"
~Dr. Ingrid D. Hicks

“I was thinking about the play and how every person can identify with one of the characters. You have brought us closer to erasing stigma, this production should be brought into every school. Knowledge is power and I thank you for educating others through the Arts.”
~Barbara Rodriguez Sorensen

MINO AYAA: 2011
“We are aware that instruction in the arts is much more than just a “fun” experience for our youth.. While preparing for their performances, the youth developed their critical thinking skills, verbal skills, confidence, concentration, teamwork, and much morel In addition, the activities were aerobic in nature and challenged the children physically. Continued participation in the arts will help develop our youth into confident and well-rounded citizens of our Native community. It is for this reason that we whole-heartedly support the Milwaukee Public Theatre.”
~Mark W. Powless, Director, Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services

ALL CITY PEOPLE’S PARADE: 2011
“I enjoyed the parade pageant immensely. The dancers and the costumes were so colorful and vibrant that they were almost mesmerizing. Congratulations on a fantastic job. “
~Norma Ballentine, Safe and Sound

MPT SUMMER INTERNS: 2011
“The summer of 2011 I joined the team of Milwaukee Public Theater, thanks to the wonderful Barbara Leigh. I am now here learning many amazing things. We are currently working on the All Cities Peoples Parade and I love it! We’re making costumes for the dancers, big walking puppets, insects, and many more cool projects to bring this parade alive. I think this is great for local teenage artist or anyone who is interested in the arts.”
~Jecilia Negron, Age 14

READ MORE comments about All-City People's Parade

CAMP WE-KAN-TAK-IT: 2010

“My Grandfather served in the CCC during the Great Depression. Kudos to the Milwaukee Public Theatre and Voices Theatre for producing this commemorative cultural event. Also, it is another great example of the work that the MPT does in service to all residents of our community.”
~ Dan Laske

FAQS (Facing Adolescent Questions about Sex): 2010

From Riverside High School Students:
I liked the fact that they used ways which I could relate to.
I like the way the cast made it comfortable that you can understand. I also liked the way they made it comfortable for teens.
From Teachers:
I thought it was well done especially by the teens. Great Job!
Educational, funny, entertaining, creative, (we) were captivated!