Impact Report • 2017/18 Season

2017/18 SEASON

I M PA C T R E P O R T

PROPELLING MILWAUKEE FORWARD

186,044

840 MEMBERS in the Friends of The Rep

VOLUNTEERED

19,144 HOURS

attendees including

15,657 subscribers

of community service

4,297 Individual

Donors

575

ARTISTS & STAFF

EMPLOYED DURING

2018

$17 Million of Economic Activity

resulting in $1.6 Million in Tax Revenue 22,391 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED in COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING

622 PERFORMANCES 15 UPA F M e mb e r Gro u p s

66,705 STUDENT CONTACT HOURS DURING

in-school and after-school programming

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater

It is said that a rising tide raises all boats, and we would argue that Milwaukee Rep does just that. Through the art on our stages to our impact in the community, our goal has always been to raise up those around us and use the inherent power of theater to engage, provoke, and inspire. We remain committed to our work that celebrates the diversity of our region and provides a welcoming, inclusive space for all.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, our 2017/18 Season has exceeded all of our expectations. These are just some of the tremendous accomplishments you’ll read about in the coming pages:  Pulitzer Prize-winner and Milwaukee-native Ayad Akhtar joined our Board of Trustees.  As part of our new John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program, we instituted a series of public new play development readings to provide feedback on the script and build relationships with emerging playwrights, engaging the community with the process of creation.  The Neighbor Series, an initiative that celebrated neighborhoods and communities across three of our productions – One House Over, Until The Flood, and Our Town.  Our flagship in-school Reading Residency program expanded 16% this season, increasing from 31 to 40 classrooms at the middle school level and from 11 to 18 classrooms at the high school level.  We completed two major Capital Campaigns over goal and ahead of schedule.

We also want to take the opportunity to acknowledge Leslie Fillingham, our Chief Financial Officer, who retired at the end of the 2017/18 Season after 30 remarkable years at The Rep – only one of two CFO’s in the last 55 years. We are grateful for her dedication, her tenacity, and her immeasurable contributions to The Rep’s success.

Thank you to all of our generous supporters that enable us to continue this work. Your enduring faith in our work and eagerness to see it grow keeps us motivated. For as much as we are an inspiration to many, you are our inspiration.

2017/18 Season Impact Report

Mark Clements Artistic Director

Chad Bauman

Managing Director

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2017/18 SEASON Productions in our 2017/18 Season were powerful, captivating, and fully resonated with our mission to entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue.

Because of their ability to connect with diverse audiences, subscriptions increased by 8% over last season and hit a record subscription revenue of nearly $3.2 million.

Souvenir Guys and Dolls The Who & The What Murder for Two Holmes and Watson A Christmas Carol Animal Farm Black Pearl Sings!

Rep Lab One House Over Until The Flood Always… Patsy Cline Our Town

Laura Gordon in Our Town (2017-18 Season).

Photo by Michael Brosilow.

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“I’ve actually been going to The Rep, on and off, more off than on of late, since the 1990s. It always has been the only real game in that town and a very solid regional company. …That was the main reason Clements and Bauman were in Chicago: they wanted to argue that they had a new season to rival anything in Chicago. They have a case.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune Milwaukee Repertory Theater

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS  Pulitzer Prize-winner and Milwaukeenative Ayad Akhtar joined our Board of Trustees, becoming the first artist in our organization’s history to do so. Mark Clements will co-adapt his novel, American Dervish, into a new play that will premiere in a future season.  Associate Artistic Director May Adrales was awarded the Alan Schneider Award for Directing by Theatre Communications Group.  Milwaukee-native Joe Kinosian performed to sell-out audiences in Murder for Two, which is now the second-highest grossing production in Stackner Cabaret history.  We received $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to produce Our Town and funding from the Edgerton Foundation for New Plays to host an extra week of rehearsal during One House Over.  Our productions of Animal Farm, One House Over, and Until The Flood traveled to Baltimore, MD, Rochester, NY, and Chicago, IL (respectively) following their run at The Rep. Joe Kinosian in Murder for Two (2017/18 Season).

Photo by Michael Brosilow.

2017/18 Season Impact Report

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NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT As part of our new John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program, we instituted a series of free public new play readings to build relationships with emerging playwrights and engage the community with the process of creation. In total, more than 60 actors brought nine new productions to life:

One House Over Pinkolandia Wrong River The Call Of The Wild The Not-So-Accidental Conviction of Eleven Milwaukee Anarchists The Thanksgiving Play Things I Know To Be True The Wind And The Breeze Lost Girl

ZoĂŤ Sophia Garcia in One House Over (2017/18 Season).

Photo by Michael Brosilow.

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING We are dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of professional theater artists, bridging a critical gap between high school, college, and beyond. Our rigorous programs give emerging artists the practical skills and experience necessary to achieve successful careers and add to the future pool of talented artists in Milwaukee.

“I went from being a ‘theatre kid’ to an artist.”

Professional Training Institute

From more than 80 students who auditioned, 16 high school students from Milwaukee’s diverse neighborhoods joined us for monthly workshops with The Rep’s top guest artists. The program culminated with the teens being employed as paid, professional actors in the world premiere of Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower, directed by Ryan Quinn.

The Professional Training Institute ensemble in

Lost Girl (2017/18 ). Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Emerging Professional Resident Program

During the 2017/18 Season, two directing and nine acting emerging residents spent the season honing their craft with the nation’s most talented artists. An additional eight joined The Rep as emerging residents in education, stage management, costumes, company management, and lighting.

The Emerging Professional Residents ensemble in Rep Lab (2017/18 ). Photo by Michael Brosilow.

2017/18 Season Impact Report

‘The Rep’s EPR Program has supplied me with the knowledge and work ethic for a passionate actor to succeed.”

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MPACT COUNCIL

PILLAR PARTNERS

A council comprised of civic leaders who guide our community engagement efforts: John Kordsmeier, Chair of Mpact Council Former Board President of Milwaukee Rep Former President of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation Dr. Dan Bergen Executive Director, Office of Community Engagement, Marquette University La’Ketta Caldwell Senior Program Manager, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee Bridget Clementi VP, Community Health, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Ricardo Diaz Executive Director, United Community Center Karen Gotzler Executive Director, Milwaukee LGBT Community Center Dionne Grayson Co-Founder & Executive Director, Lead2Change Will Harvill English Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools Katie Heil Community Volunteer

Our eleven Pillar Partners are community organizations in long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with The Rep.

(Greater Together, Milwaukee Film Festival, Cultural Commons)

Suzanne Hupy Community Volunteer Deb Jolitz Arts Manager, Milwaukee Public Schools Cacy Kemp Associate Director, Safe & Sound Glenn Kleiman Executive Director, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee Connie Kordsmeier Former Teacher, Community Volunteer, Friends of the Milwaukee Rep Susan Lloyd Former Executive Director, Zilber Family Foundation Rob Manegold Board Member Ruth Maegli Chief Academic Officer, Milwaukee Public Schools Tonen O'Connor Former Managing Director of Milwaukee Rep Resident Priest Emerita, Milwaukee Zen Center Paula Penebaker President & CEO, YWCA Tom Schneider Executive Director, COA Youth & Family Centers Marcus White VP, Community Engagement, Greater Milwaukee Foundation Dr. Katherine Wilson Executive Director, Zeidler Center for Public Discussion 8

Milwaukee Repertory Theater 9 Milwaukee Repertory Theater

THE NEIGHBOR SERIES The highlight of our community engagement programming was The Neighbor Series, an initiative that celebrated neighborhoods and communities across three of our productions – One House Over, Until The Flood, and Our Town.

Intersections Summit Nearly 200 theater practitioners from 37 states and 55 presenters from across the country participated in this first-of-its-kind weekend of workshops focused on community engagement best practices.

Act II Leaders from all different sectors of the community (including Boys and Girls Club CEO Vincent Lyles, Attorney John Chisholm, and MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver) gave responses following all 48 performances of Until The Flood. More than 1,700 people participated in Act II, small-group discussions facilitated by the Zeidler Center for Public Discussion.

Community Dinners Community Dinners were provided at Café El Sol, Troop Café, and On the Bayou, to facilitate discussion about Our Town and its correlations to Milwaukee.

Audience members voiced action steps on how citizens can continue to build a communal sensibility.

Vets Light Up the Arts For the second year, The Rep collaborated with veteran’s groups throughout Milwaukee to host this event focused on the intersection of veterans and the arts. More than 150 attendees experienced performances, artwork, and poetry created by Milwaukee’s veteran community.

2017/18 Season Impact Report

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EDUCATION Rep Education takes students beyond the experience of watching a live performance and uses an arts-integrated approach to foster an emotional connection and purposeful, enduring understanding of the text. During the 2017/18 Season, more than 21,000 students representing 150 schools were involved in in-school residencies, after school programming, Rep Immersion Days, and student matinees.

Reading Residency

Our flagship in-school Reading Residency program expanded 16% this season, increasing from 31 to 40 classrooms at the middle school level and from 11 to 18 classrooms at the high school level. Students used the scripts from Guys and Dolls, Animal Farm, and Our Town as tools to learn reading comprehension and social emotional skills such as communication and empathy.

Zoë Sophia Garcia in One House Over.

Photo by Michael Brosilow.

“

[I learned] we can come together and help everybody respect each other and treat others the way you want to be treated.

– student participant during Animal Farm

After School Program

”

More than 100 high school students across eight sites participated in after-school programming to develop leadership skills and use art to explore their community, passions, and identities. We focused on empowering youth and hired Youth Leaders from each site to assist in program implementation. For the first time, we partnered with UW-Milwaukee and had students perform at UW-Milwaukee’s StoryFest.

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Amani Neighborhood Revitalization Now in its third year, Rep Education plays a key role in the revitalization of the Amani neighborhood through intergenerational arts experiences. In addition to providing Reading Residencies and After School Programs in the neighborhood, we partnered with Safe & Sound to host a storytelling program for youth and adults, taking advantage of the power of storytelling to heal and empower. Youth developed stories about their neighborhood and performed the final version for Amani residents. Plans are underway to expand the initiative into Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way.

2017/18 Season Impact Report

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CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS Created in Milwaukee Our “Created in Milwaukee” campaign began in 2015 with the goal of raising $10 million in support of five initiatives:  Repair our sinking building  Build a new production of A Christmas Carol





 Launch a new play development program  Create a community engagement department  Increase our endowment Thanks to the support of 147 generous corporations, foundations, and individuals, we raised $11.2 million by December 2017 – a full 18 months ahead of schedule.

Likewise, we were able to complete all five initiatives, each of which will contribute substantially to the future viability of The Rep.





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Milwaukee Repertory Theater

Stackner Cabaret At the beginning of the 2017/18 Season, we launched plans to renovate the Stackner Cabaret, the first transformational renovation of the space since it opened in 1987. Thanks to a lead gift of $750,000 by Vince and Jan Martin and support from 134 donors, we reached our goal of $1.75 million to fund the renovation in full. During the summer of 2018, 60 additional seats were added, along with a new external bar, new kitchen facilities, and more comfortable seating.

2017/18 Season Impact Report

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FINANCIALS ( un audi ted)

EXPENSES

TOTAL EXPENSES: $11,625,636

Artistic & Community Programs - 58% Marketing & Development - 23% Admin/General - 10% Food & Beverage - 5% Occupancy - 6%

REVENUES

TOTAL REVENUE: $12,540,478 Ticket Sales - 51% Contributions & Grants - 37% Food & Beverage - 5% Other Sources - 4% Endowment - 4%

SOURCES OF CONTRIBUTIONS UPAF – 38% Individuals – 32% Foundations – 14% Corporations – 6% Curtain Call Ball – 5% Government – 3% Other – 1%

Charity Navigator United Performing Arts Fund For the fourth year in a row, The Rep was awarded a four-star ranking by Charity The Rep received UPAF’s Navigator. We are currently the only Good Stewards Award in performing arts organization in the state to 2017 for managerial be ranked as a four-star charity. excellence.

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater

2017/18 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF F ICERS President

Secretary

Ed Seaberg

Catherine Robinson

Jane Chernof

Patrick Gallagher

Rockwell Automation Vice President, Development Community Volunteer Vice President, Trustees

Community Volunteer Treasurer CBRE Capital Markets

At Large

Judy Hansen

Broadway Producer At Large

Robert H. Manegold Community Volunteer President-Elect

Stacy P. Williams

Gregory C. Oberland

Robert W. Baird & Co.

Northwestern Mutual

Senior Investment Consultant

TRUS TEES Ayad Akhtar

Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright

Joaquin Altoro Town Bank

Senior Vice President

Patsy Aster

Community Volunteer

Matt Bartel

Digital Measures Founder and CEO

Ivor Benjamin, MD

Medical College of Wisconsin

Amy Croen Geneva Capital

Co-Founder, Co-President

Partner, Vice Chair-Trademark, Copyright & Advertising Practice

Abigail J. Nash

Foley & Lardner LLP

Robert H. Duffy

Katherine Gehl

Riverwater Partners

Gehl Foods

Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor

John Halechko Associated Bank

James E. Braza

Exec. VP., Director of Branch Banking

Attorney

John Hunzinger, P.E.

Warren Buliox MWH Law Group

Community Volunteer

Dr. Mark Niedfeldt M.D.

Andre Gordon

Davis & Kuelthau

Principal

Quarles & Brady

Partner, Labor & Employment Practice, Banking & Financial Institutions Practice

Wendy W. Blumenthal Community Volunteer

Linda Marcus

Linda Marcus Design

Former CEO Business Leader

Melanie Booth

Community Volunteer

Mark J. Diliberti

Cardio-Vascular Center Director, Professor

Blumenthal & Associates

Phoebe Lewis

Hunzinger Construction Company President

ModernMed

Adam J. Peck Principal and CIO

Gina Alberts Peter Wells Fargo

Exec. VP, Division Manager

Caran Quadracci MiraMedia3 Principal

Micky Sadoff Community Volunteer

Deborah Tomczyk

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren

Partner

Bradley Kalscheur

Partner and Chair of Real Estate Practice Group

Bladen Burns

Partner, Wealth Planning Services

Stephen VanderBloemen

SVP and Partner

J. Patrick Keyes

Marybeth Cottrill

Executive Vice President

Nicholas P. Wahl

Private Wealth Advisor

David Kundert

President and Managing Partner

Fiduciary Management

BMO Wealth Management

Michael Best & Friedrich

Wisconsin Energy

JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management

VanderBloemen Group CEO

Godfrey Kahn

Retired Chairman

2017/18 Season Impact Report

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FRONT COVER: Michael J. Farina, Adrian Aguilar, Gerry McIntyre in Guys and Dolls (2017/18 Season) BACK COVER: Di’Monte Henning and Cher Desiree Alvarez in Our Town. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater 108 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53202