Don’t Get Freaked Out!

It’s Combat Theatre, baby!

60 of your favorite theatre artists will be coming together once again to create a fantastic weekend of shows.  16 plays each written, directed and acted within 24 hours.  And all for less than you’d expect to pay for your average freak show.

Bunny Gumbo presents Combat Theatre.  June 1st and 2nd at 8:00 pm.  The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC), 325 W. Walnut Street (on the corner of Walnut and MLK Drive).  Tickets are $18 and available at the door only.  Or buy the weekend pass for $30.

We do it because we’re really good at it!

It’s Not Theatre, it’s Combat Theatre!

The Bunny Gumbo Theatre Company invites you to shake off those spring blahs and help us celebrate The Year of the Bunny with Combat Theatre.  The summer installment of Combat arrives June 3^rd and 4^th at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.

30 actors, 8 writers and 8 directors bring you 16 new works of theatre all created in 24 hours.  The subjects and locations for these new plays are all, literally, pulled from a hat.  The scripts are written overnight and the casts have less than 12 hours to memorize their lines and get the shows up on their feet.  After Friday’s show, we do it all over again…with less time!  There is no advanced preparation, no warning, no mercy – just instinct, ability and raw talent on display. The outcome of the process is a wide variety of 15-minute works that boggle the imagination.

Combat Theatre takes place Friday and Saturday, June 3^rd and 4th, at 8 pm at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut (on the corner of Walnut and MLK.)  Tickets are $18 each and are available at the door only.  The weekend package gets you both nights for only $30.

Combat Theatre involves the best writers, directors, and actors Milwaukee has to offer.  Those wishing to attend are advised to arrive early as previous installments of Combat have sold out quickly.

The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center is a collaboration of First Stage Children’s Theatre and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about Bunny Gumbo, write to bunnygumbo@wi.rr.com or visit our website: www.bunnygumbo.com

First Stage is Hiring

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Early Stages Program Director

First Stage Children’s Theater

Milwaukee, WI

 

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1987, First Stage Children’s Theater has grown from a small theater for young audiences to a nationally acclaimed company drawing annual audiences of more than 135,000 people. With a season including six mainstage plays and two First Steps shows (more than 300 performances annually), First Stage has become one of the largest programs in the nation. First Stage Theater Academy teaches life skills through stage skills—offering classes for students of all ages, cultures and abilities. Our professional staff strives to provide the best theater training we can while being conscious of the development of each individual student—helping each student to take their next step as an actor and as a person.



RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Early Stages Program Director will oversee the evaluation, maintenance and development of Theater Academy programming for students age 3 through 4^th grade. This dynamic role will include significant involvement with adjunct staff, parents and students. The Early Stages Program Director will report to the Academy Director. Duties include (but will not be limited to):

                                   

Recruiting, hiring, and evaluation of all Lower elementary faculty, teaching assistants, and student intern positions.

Develop new programming and maintain existing programming.

Assist in creating and overseeing a progressive year round curriculum.

Train teachers in Creative Drama methods and pedagogy

Be available to teach as needed.

Assist in supervising all academy classes for ages 3 through 4^th grade.

Maintain communication with Academy adjunct staff regarding scheduling and classroom needs.

Aid in facilitating systems and communications in the Academy Office.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:  This position requires advanced knowledge of theatre both as an art form and as a tool for developing life skills. Expertise in developing and overseeing Creative Drama curriculum and the ability to confidently and publicly articulate the Academy program and philosophy are necessities. Excellent communication skills are critical, along with the ability to adjust communications styles to varied youth, parent and professional populations. The position will occasionally require local travel to schools and other community destinations. Advanced degree in Children’s theatre or Child Drama, teaching experience, curriculum/lesson plan development and youth work experience are required. Some weekends and evenings required. The position will occasionally require local travel to schools and other community destinations. Spanish-speaking capabilities are advantageous but not required.

 

HOURS/SALARY:    This is full time position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

 

TO APPLY:    Mail cover letter, resume/cv, and the contact information for three references to First Stage Children’s Theater, attn: Program director search, 325 W. Walnut, Milwaukee, WI or e-mail materials to Academy Director John Maclay at jmaclay@firststage.org. NO CALLS.

 

 

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Main Stage Program Director

First Stage Children’s Theater

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Main Stage Program Director will oversee the evaluation, maintenance and development of Theater Academy programming for students in 5^th-12^th grade. This dynamic role will include significant involvement with adjunct staff, parents and students. The Main Stage Program Director will report to the Academy Director. Duties include (but will not be limited to):

                                   

Recruiting, hiring, and evaluation of all Main Stage faculty, teaching assistants, and student intern positions.

Development of new programming and maintain existing programming.

Oversight of a progressive year round curriculum.

Oversee the year round, advanced high school programs and performances including the Young Company, Organized Chaos Improv group and the Glee Club

Teach as needed.

Supervise all academy classes for grades 5-12.

Maintain communication with Academy adjunct staff regarding scheduling and classroom needs.

Aid in facilitating systems and communications in the Academy Office.

Be available and ready to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Academy Director whenever needed. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:  This position requires advanced knowledge of theatre both as an art form and as a tool for developing life skills. Ability to confidently and publicly articulate the Academy program and philosophy is a necessity.  Excellent communication skills are critical, along with the ability to adjust communications styles to varied youth, parent and professional populations. A degree in theatre, education background, teaching experience, curriculum/lesson plan development and youth work experience are required. Some weekends and evenings required. The position will occasionally require local travel to schools and other community destinations.  Spanish-speaking capability is advantageous but not required.

 

HOURS/SALARY:    This is full time position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. Anticipated April or May start date.

 

TO APPLY:    Mail cover letter, resume/cv, and the contact information for three references to First Stage Children’s Theater, attn: Program director search, 325 W. Walnut, Milwaukee, WI or e-mail materials to Academy Director John Maclay at jmaclay@firststage.org. NO CALLS.

 

 

First Stage is an equal employment opportunity employer functioning under an Affirmative Action Plan

 

 

Vendors Needed for Shakespeare in the Park

Optimist Theatre is Seeking…

Guess what happens when you present a wonderful event like free Shakespeare in the Park? People go. Happy people. People who are anticipating a lovely time.

That lovely time includes a variety of points of contact which take some work to do well. It’s fun work, but needs to be done. To that end, Optimist Theatre is seeking a Merchandise Director and a Food and Beverage Director.

This is a start-up opportunity, so if you’re a bootstrapper like all the other highly motivated people who are involved with free Shakespeare in the Park, you should consider contacting us.   These are independent contractor positions.

SSFry@OptimistTheatre.org

Optimistically,
Susan Scot Fry

2nd Annual All City People’s Parade

Milwaukee Public Theatre and the Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theatre invite you to  celebrate arts champions, browse a great silent auction, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, music, magic, get a sneak peak at this year’s giant puppets and help raise money for public art–the Second Annual All City People’s Parade! The event is at Turner Hall Thursday, August 12th, 5-8 PM.  Artists/community activists/fans of Bunny Gumbo get 2-for-1 tix: $25 for two.  For more info. on  who’s being honored, and to sign up, call MPT at 414-347-1685 or go to: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2z40t9p9b2b2bd5&oseq

Dear Artist:

Come celebrate Public Art in Milwaukee!  Meet fellow arts champions, browse our silent auction, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, music, magic, and help raise money for public art–the All-City People’s Parade!

You can SAVE 40% if you sign up by Monday 8/9. OR if $$ is an issue, we can offer a 2-for-1. Call Barbara at 414-347-1685 for details.

Tickets for the August 12 Champions of the Arts awards are available online for $25 through midnight tonight, August 6.  Please click here now for details and to purchase tickets online.

The discounted rate is also in effect through Monday, August 9, only by calling the MPT Office, 414-347-1685.

Combat Pics-Part 5

These shots are all from the same play, a twisted piece entitled “Little Sally Simpson and All the Hard to Reach Places” written by Jonathan West.  His variables were the Girl Scouts and Shang-Hai.  Here’s Mic Mattarese as the Narrator doing a fair impression of the Pepperidge Farm Guy.

Amy Geyser as Sally and myself as her mother.

And the final tableau.  This was at least the second time Amy was crippled during a Combat show.  The first time she was trampled and gored by a bull.  She has also been eaten by a shark.

Red Light Winter

RED LIGHT WINTER by Adam Rapp, running January 21-February 6, 2010 at the Alchemist Theatre (2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI). Tickets are $12.
www.YoungbloodTheatre.com

ABOUT YOUNGBLOOD THEATRE COMPANY
Youngblood Theatre Company’s mission is to support Milwaukee’s emerging theatre artists by creating unique professional experiences for early-career actors and technicians.

At the core of the company is an ensemble of 5 graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting program. Forming less than six month ago, Youngblood has achieved local and national attention. The enterprising ensemble aggressively debuted in July with a three-play festival at three different venues throughout Milwaukee. In October, Youngblood participated in the national reading of THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER along with 150 other theatre companies worldwide. Youngblood was one of two wisconsin entities to participate and the only Milwaukee company to host the reading.

Youngblood opens “Season 2″ with RED LIGHT WINTER in January, followed by MONSTER & MANTAGORA ISLAND (world premiere) in March, and SPIRITS TO ENFORCE in April. Visit www.youngbloodtheatre.com for more details.

Dwellephant

 

For those of you don’t know him, Dwellepant is one of the most supportive artists in the city.  He routinely helps out artists from every discipline and I think we, in turn, should support him.  You can find him at http://www.dwellephant .com

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commissions • random commercial work • my comic • drawing from memory wmse • dwella vs. ella • hand-lettering • portraits of famous folks • valentines? - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - SHOP! • blogaphant • dwellary • links • about me

Backstage Podcast

I did a spot called Backstage with Mark Metcalf.  It will likely be up on MSE’s site, ww.thirdcoastdigest.com, this Wednesday or Thursday.  We chatted about a lot of things; the old PTTP, Bunny Gumbo and the state of current theatre in Milwaukee.   I rambled on for quite a bit, so hopefully they were able to pull something interesting out.  Check it out if you’ve got the time.

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Bunny Gumbo – Serving Up Great Shows for 10 Years

Bunny Gumbo – Serving Up Great Shows for 10 Years

It’s our 10 year anniversary, baby, and Bunny Gumbo is pulling out all the stops!  The 20^th edition of Combat Theatre invades Milwaukee on January 15^th and 16^th, 2010.  10 years.  372 works of original theatre.  330 Milwaukee artists lending their talents.  That’s something to celebrate.  Auctions, raffles, give-aways and special appearances are all in the mix for this round of Combat.

Never been to Combat?  Where have you been hiding?  “Hop” on the bandwagon!  Combat Theatre challenges eight playwrights, eight directors and 30 actors to bring 16 original scripts from initial concept to performance before a live audience – in only 24 hours.  Topics, locations, directors and actors are all, literally, “pulled from a hat.”  There is no advanced preparation, no warning, no mercy – just instinct, ability and raw talent on display. Professional artists flying without a net!  The outcome of the process is a wide variety of 15-minute works that range from admirable to brilliant.

The 20^th installment of Combat Theatre takes place on Friday and Saturday, January 15th and 16th, at 8 pm, at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut (on the corner of Walnut and MLK.)  Tickets are $18 each and are available at the door only.  Or buy the weekend package and see both nights for only $30.

Combat Theatre involves the best writers, directors, and actors Milwaukee has to offer.  We’re blowing the roof off this one so come early to take part in the fun and guarantee a seat. 

The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center is a collaboration of First Stage Children’s Theatre and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Combat Theatre contains adult themes and language and is not recommended for children.

For more information about Bunny Gumbo, write to bunnygumbo@wi.rr.com or visit our website at www.bunnygumbo.com or our blog at http://bunnygumbo.wordpress.com