Your overall theatre experience is expanded with art exhibits in our lobby gallery. Be sure to check out the beautiful work of these visual artists on your next trip to Next Act.
Curator Jim Toth creates a unique collection of works to complement each Next Act production.
Please check back in August for information on our September 2026 gallery display!
Since the 2014-15 season, Jim has been curating and installing art exhibits for Next Act’s lobby gallery. Drawing on his connections as an artist and retired art educator, he has brought in a wide variety of local artists whose work complements our productions and enriches our patrons’ theatre experiences. He is especially pleased when the art and the play seem to have been meant for each other, as with Michael Andrysczyk’s detailed drawings of winter scenes paired with ALMOST, MAINE and Coree Coppinger’s powerful black and white photographs of MMA fighters paired with THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. Before retiring, Jim had a two-career history, first as an Art Teacher and K-12 Art Coordinator for the South Milwaukee School District and then as the Director of Exhibits for the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. In addition to his volunteer work for Next Act, he serves on the board for the Milwaukee Area Teachers of Art and as president of the south side community choir Cantare Chorale. He is also an artist who has show his sculpture at numerous art fairs including MAM’s Lakefront Festival of Arts and in many small group and gallery exhibitions. Jim and his wife Karen are long-time residents of Bay View.