Milwaukee Love

A New Education Program Takes Shape

By A.J. Magoon, Marketing Director

This summer, Next Act’s education program, Next Actors, got a new look! Recently-promoted Associate Artistic Director Elyse Edelman reworked 28-year-old program, focusing on helping student artists create documentary-style theatre based on interviews with a wide swath of Milwaukeeans. The theme of their program? First Loves MKE.

After four weeks of interviewing, writing, shaping and acting, the students presented small, easy, simple good: The Interview Project to a nearly sold-out house at Next Act Theatre. However, that was just the start. Over the course of the next week, the Next Actors toured their original performance piece to eight additional locations across the city, including libraries, retirement homes and even to their peers at First Stage Theater Academy. Many times on tour, Next Actors students would spend time before a performance getting to personally know residents or visitors at the venues where they performed. Overall, nearly 400 people joined us to hear the stories of real Milwaukeeans told by this talented young ensemble.

“I’ve had the opportunity to build and develop theater education programs throughout my career, including programs at First Stage Theater Academy and Door Shakespeare’s Camp Will, as well as foundational curriculum that is still being used at regional theatres and in youth correctional facilities,” said Associate Artistic Director Elyse Edelman. “I share that context because in more than 25 years of working professionally in theater, I’m not sure I’ve ever been part of a project where I could see the impact on individual people’s hearts so immediately.” Audience members shared praise for the project that included “What a beautiful piece, so well performed! Thanks, Next Actors!” as well as “These young people are so darn good!”

The Next Actors program had an impact not only on patrons who attended a performance, but also on the students involved! “This was such an amazing experience for our daughter,” said the parent of a student. “Thanks to everyone involved in making this project a reality. These talented actors have been a true joy to watch!”

Thanks to the hard work, dedication and openness shown by Elyse, our students, co-directors Ken Miller and Jake Penner, interview trainers Elizabeth Elving and Lillie Mobley, our donors and our many interviewees, the first year of our new Next Actors program was a rousing success. We can’t wait to see the perspectives, stories and lived experience that future classes bring to the stage in summers to come.