In June of 1990, Next Act Theatre was created with the merger of Next Generation Theatre and Theatre Tesseract. Next Act began its journey with a subscriber base of 1,000. Leading the ambitious new theatre company were Producer Jane Barclay Mandel, Artistic Director Jonathan Smoots and Associate Artistic Director David Cecsarini.
1990 – 1992
The work of the new company was critically acclaimed, but the Public Library’s Centennial Hall space at 8th St and Wisconsin Ave proved a challenge for attracting new audiences. Near the end of its second year, Smoots and Cecsarini realized that, to survive, Next Act had to move downtown.
1992 – 1993
In 1992, Next Act performed in the Todd Wehr and Stiemke Theaters. Despite positive sales and the strong support of angel donor Jack Rosenberg, Next Act embarked on a reduced, three-production season. At this time, Smoots stepped down as Artistic Director and Cecsarini took over the role, while Smoots stayed on as Artistic Associate for another three seasons.
Cecsarini was in need of a business partner and in the summer of 1992, Charles Kakuk, who was working in marketing at the Milwaukee Ballet, reached out. His phone call began a long and successful relationship with Cecsarini and the company as Kakuk brought many administrative talents to Next Act.

1993 – 1998
By the 1995-96 season, the company added a fourth production to its season. Tight schedules at the Stiemke Theater made it necessary to secure an alternate space for one of the productions each year. The Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre, the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center and Marquette’s Helfaer Theatre supplied those additional venues. The Next Act staff grew as C. Michael Wright joined the team as Associate Artistic Director in 1996 and Jonathan West took on Marketing and Development in 1997.
1998 – 2000
Seeing a need to accommodate Next Act’s growing number of patrons, the company set a goal of building a theatre which would seat 150-175 patrons. Next Act could not immediately find a large enough, affordable space, so an interim, 99-seat theatre space was created at 342 N. Water Street on the second floor. Housed in the same building as Next Act’s offices and rehearsal space, the Off-Broadway Theatre (named by Jack Rosenberg) opened in early 2000. The first production was A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER, a one-man show starring James Ridge, directed by Wright.
The summer of 2000 also marked the third season of Next Actors: Summer Theatre for Teens. To this day, Next Actors continues to offer a program that gives students the opportunity to experience playwriting and performance. There is no cost to participate in the Next Actors program.

2005 – 2011
These six years saw more changes for Next Act, as Wright left to assume Artistic Directorship at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. In addition, the Off-Broadway building was sold and Next Act once again faced the challenge of creating a new theatre space. In 2010, Next Act staged its final production at the Off-Broadway, the 2010 Next Actors Benefit performance. The Journey Home Capital Campaign to build Next Act’s new Walker’s Point facility began with critical initial support from subscribers and generous benefactors David and Julia Uihlein.
Next Act’s 2010-11 season was housed at the Tenth Street Theatre while offices and rehearsal space were temporarily located at 219 N. Milwaukee Street. Construction for Next Act’s new home began in May 2011 with a tight completion deadline of October 6, 2011, in time for the first performance of the 22nd season.

2011 – 2022
Next Act opened its new home at 255 S. Water Street with the powerful play THE EXONERATED. Next Act now had a dynamic new home with 152 seats that embraced an intimate, three-sided thrust stage. Within four seasons in its new space, Next Act had retired all construction debt.
The new facility brought with it an expansion of Next Act’s mission: to provide affordable performance space for other companies, emerging groups and independent artists.
Shortly before the 2014-15 season began, Kakuk lost his long battle with cancer. “He has truly given us his all and Next Act survives as a testament to his determination and commitment,” Cecsarini said. From that point, Cecsarini served as the company’s sole leader, navigating Next Act successfully through the next eight years.
The company faced challenges during its 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including show cancellations and the need to adapt plays to video format for online viewing. Dedicated artists, patrons, donors and staff helped the company weather the storm, however, and Next Act returned for in-person performances in fall 2021.
In the 2021-22 season, Renaissance Theaterworks, an established local theatre company dedicated to promoting the work of female authors and artists, made 255 S. Water Street its artistic home in partnership with Next Act.
2022 – Present
In early 2022, David Cecsarini announced his intent to retire after 30 years in the role of Producing Artistic Director. After a four-month, nationwide search, the Next Act Board of Directors selected Cody Estle from a pool of more than 50 candidates and named him Artistic Director. Estle had previously served as the Artistic Director of Chicago’s Raven Theatre.

In August 2023, long-time Next Act employee Libby Amato joined Estle in the company’s leadership team as Managing Director. This new leadership team was complemented by the hiring or promotion of a number of staff members, including Production Manager, Development Manager, Administrative and Artistic Manager and Technical and Facility Manager.

Next Act Theatre continues to offer a four-production season of compelling and thought-provoking plays, enjoying a loyal and growing patron base.
For a printable version of our history, please download our History Document.