Milwaukee Repertory Theater ("Milwaukee Rep") is a theater company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded as the Fred Miller Theatre Company, the group is housed in the Associated Bank Theater Center, which includes the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, the Herro-Franke Studio Theater, and the Stackner Cabaret. Milwaukee Rep produces eleven productions each year, along with an annual production of A Christmas Carol at the Pabst Theater. It serves an annual audience of over 200,000 patrons, including over 15,000 subscribers, the largest in the state of Wisconsin in terms of audiences served.[1]
After being established as the Fred Miller Theatre Company, the name was changed to Milwaukee Repertory Theater in the late 1950s, to reflect its growing catalogue of classic and contemporary plays, and a commitment to develop the resident acting community. In 1968, it moved from its original space—the Fred Miller Theatre, on Oakland Ave.—to the Todd Wehr Theater at the Performing Art Center in downtown Milwaukee.[2] In 1974, a small warehouse was converted into the experimental Court Street Theater, which served as a laboratory for creative exploration and a testing ground for new playwrights. Milwaukee Repertory Theater moved to its current location in 1987 and closed its Court Street operations. The theater is now located on the east bank of the Milwaukee River in Associated Bank Theater Center at 108 E Wells St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[3]
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is dedicated to presenting new playwrights, reliving classics, and commissioning translations of classic and contemporary foreign playwrights. Each year, Milwaukee Rep welcomes up to 275,000 people at nearly 700 performances of 15 productions ranging from compelling dramas, powerful classics, new plays and full-scale musicals in its three unique performance venues. Since 1958, Milwaukee Repertory Theater has premiered nearly 150 plays and musicals.[4] Historically the theater has put on annual holiday productions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at the historic Pabst Theater since 1976. In 2012, Milwaukee Rep recorded a deficit of nearly $400,000, despite an increase in total ticket revenue of 60% from the previous season.[5] Coming out of the recession, Milwaukee Rep refined its budget, increased ticket sales, and received a single donation of half a million dollars helping to pay down the accumulated deficit from past seasons.[6]
After raising $80+ million through its Powering Milwaukee campaign, in fall 2025, the theater is set to complete a major renovation and open the 152,500+ square-foot Associated Bank Theater Center, which includes the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, the Herro-Franke Studio Theater and the Stackner Cabaret. The Powerhouse Theater is designed for flexibility, capable of transforming between a proscenium and thrust stage to suit production needs. The renovation also improved accessibility through expanded programs and adaptive technologies, including new listening devices and upgraded walkways. Additionally, the project introduced the Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center, a new facility with event and education spaces, expected to serve more than 20,000 students annually. [7]
Theater spaces
568 to 671-seat Ellen and Joe Checota Powerhouse Thrust/Proscenium Stage
205-seat Herro-Franke Studio
186-seat Stackner Cabaret Theater, bar, and restaurant
Milwaukee Rep's community programs include student matinées, facility tours, residencies, and in-school workshops. It contributes complimentary tickets to Milwaukee area non-profit fund-raisers. Milwaukee Rep also sponsors adult acting classes, public lectures and discussions, pre-show "The Rep-In-Depth" presentations in the Quadracci Powerhouse and Stiemke Studio, and audience talk-backs. Additional patron features include "pay-what-you-can" performances, audio described performances, American Sign Language-interpreted performances, captioned performances and numerous special events including Opening Night and Closing Night parties. The Friends of Milwaukee Repertory Theater is its official volunteer organization.
Milwaukee Rep is also home to one of the oldest internship programs in regional theater.[citation needed] Each season acting, directing, and production interns join the company full-time to gain experience in professional theater.[21] Mark Clements is the current artistic director and Chad Bauman is the current Ellen & Joe Checota executive director.
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