Meet Our New Team Members

Over the summer, Next Act Theatre welcomed two new members to our administrative staff. Join us in giving a warm welcome to two new faces around the building!

Elyse Edelman has joined Next Act as our Artistic Associate. Elyse is a Milwaukee-based freelance actor, director, and educator. She has previously been seen on the Next Act stage in CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION and a staged reading of MRS. CHRISTIE. Her Wisconsin credits also include multiple productions with Forward Theater Company, Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, Third Avenue PlayWorks, In Tandem Theatre, Children’s Theater of Madison, American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Rep and Door Shakespeare. Regionally, her favorite credits include years in the Twin Cities with The Guthrie, Park Square, Children’s Theatre Co., Mixed Blood, Bedlam, People’s Center and Minnesota Shakespeare, as well as work with Utah Shakespeare Festival and Riverside Theatre. Elyse is also a member of Forward Theater’s Advisory Company. She was a company member at Door Shakespeare for eight seasons and served as director of Camp Will, their summer Shakespeare program. At First Stage, she has worn many hats – both as a longtime faculty member and in administrative roles – for more than 15 years. Her teaching and program design have also shaped theater curriculum in schools and youth correctional facilities. At Next Act, Elyse will oversee all educational programming as well as supporting the company’s artistic output.

“Elyse brings a wealth of experience in both educational and professional theatre, and Wyatt will help expand accessibility, strengthen our connection to the community, and support the development of improved safety and emergency procedures. We look forward to the energy, creativity, and expertise Wyatt and Elyse will bring to our organization.” -Artistic Director Cody Estle and Managing Director Libby Amato

Wyatt Meyer has joined Next Act and Renaissance Theaterworks as our new Patron Services Manager. Wyatt is a Minnesota native who relocated to Milwaukee in 2017. Since then, he has become an active part of the local arts community, working as a Production Manager with Bard & Bourbon and The Constructivists. Wyatt also briefly served as the Operations Manager for Present Music, where he applied his expertise in team leadership and operations to enhance performance logistics. In addition to his work in the arts, Wyatt is the Executive Director of the Milwaukee Trans and Queer Depot, an organization dedicated to distributing hormone supplies and providing sober, queer spaces for the community. Wyatt’s commitment to fostering inclusive, supportive environments extends to his personal and professional life, where he integrates radical care, systems thinking and direct leadership. He is passionate about creating experiences that are welcoming for all patrons, with a particular focus on accessibility and equity. He will oversee the ticket office and all front of house operations while also spearheading accessibility initiatives for both Next Act Theatre and Renaissance Theaterworks.