Remembering John Kishline

On Monday, August 24, Next Act Theatre hosted a memorial for prolific Milwaukee artist and frequent Next Act collaborator John Kishline. The event gathered numerous speakers who shared stories of Kish’s life and his significant impact on the Milwaukee arts community. It also featured a staged reading of Kish’s play FAUST: AN ENTERTAINMENT and even a recording of a poem read by Kish, giving him “last word.”

John Kishline died Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at age 78 from complications of lung cancer. He appeared nine times on the Next Act stage, each time bringing considerable artistry honed through years of work with Milwaukee’s internationally-acclaimed Theatre X. Kish was also a powerful and poignant writer: he lent his playwriting talents to Next Act twice. In addition to his work with Theatre X and Next Act Theatre, he was a frequent collaborator with Theatre Gigante; and he wrote, directed and appeared in numerous productions across not only Milwaukee, but the United States and other countries.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating this giant of the Milwaukee arts community.