Connecting with the Milwaukee community through ANTARCTICA, WI, Opening this weekend at First Stage

Milwaukee, WI – April 5, 2018 – Many Milwaukeeans may be aware that First Stage is considered one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families. Their approach to theater touches hearts, minds and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences. Its Theater Academy, the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people, fosters life skills through stage skills and serves thousands of students each year.

First Stage is also committed to broadening its reach and deepening its impact throughout the greater Milwaukee community. The world premiere ANTARCTICA, WI came about from international, award-winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer having conversations with the young people of Milwaukee. This presented unique opportunities to extend the theater experience beyond the stage and inspired conversations around the themes from the play. Thanks to a generous grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund, First Stage embarked upon three initiatives to connect with young people and Milwaukee theater audiences in a new and dynamic way.

First Stage and renowned local photographer Paul Calhoun created the Portraits & Stories Project, for which 33 students from Maryland Montessori School, Parkside Middle School, Milwaukee High School for the Arts, Ronald Reagan High School and University School of Milwaukee were photographed. These portraits are accompanied by the students’ personal stories, developed through theater workshops led by Artistic Associate Sheri Williams Pannell.

“Sheri was instrumental in inspiring students to share the experiences that have shaped who they are,” said Lucia Lozano, First Stage Community Engagement Manager. “Using theater techniques, Mrs. Pannell built trust with the students to help craft their stories,” Lozano continued. The Portraits & Stories Project is on display in the upper lobby of the Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater throughout ANTARCTICA, WI performances.

Local artist and muralist James Tomasello and First Stage collaborated to work with eight students from Milwaukee’s TRUE Skool on the Coming Together mural, inspired by ANTARCTICA, WI. After reading the most compelling parts of the script, the group discussed different concepts and each created a draft of the mural. The final product brings together all of the students’ concepts and visual creations. The Coming Together mural will be displayed at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center April 5 – 9, at the City Hall Rotunda April 9 – 13 and back at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center until April 23.

The Diving Down Below booklet, funded in part by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund grant, will encourage youth to engage in the fascinating journey of getting to know who they are and what matters to them, and to recognize how they can bring healing to their communities. The booklet will be distributed to all young people attending both public and school performances of ANTARCTICA, WI.

“As young people learn to see themselves more clearly, they may also learn to understand others and the world around them better,” said Lozano, who created this booklet in collaboration with Pannell and Artistic Director Jeff Frank. “This booklet will also help young people think deeper, use their creative powers and take risks.”

New plays like ANTARCTICA, WI are part of The Foundry, First Stage’s new play development initiative, forging the next generation of plays, programming, artists and audiences, while fostering community and empathy. To learn more about First Stage’s new play development initiative, visit www.firststage.org/foundry.

FACT SHEET

About: ANTARCTICA, WI

Location: The Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee

Dates: April 6 – April 22, 2018

Description: In Milwaukee there lives a very special young man. One who sees more deeply than others. He sees so much that he loves in his city, but he also sees the fractures. And when this special boy begins to see icebergs floating into Milwaukee, he alone must find a way to help his community navigate through the dangerous waters. From internationally recognized playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer comes a contemporary folk tale inspired by conversations with our community. Suggested for families with young people ages 10 – 17+.

Performances:

• Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. – OPENING NIGHT
• Saturday, April 7 at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, April 8 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. – PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE PERFORMANCE
• Saturday, April 14 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 15 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 21 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 22 at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.

Tickets and information: Tickets start at $15. Call (414) 273-7206 or online at www.firststage.org

About First Stage
First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families. First Stage touches hearts, engages minds, and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten and entertain. Its Theater Academy, the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people, fosters life skills through stage skills and serves over 2,100 students each year. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education programs promote literacy, character building, and experiential learning throughout the curriculum, serving over 20,000 students each year. First Stage was selected to participate in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2012), and was the recipient of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Eureka Award, recognizing creativity and innovation in business, education, and the arts for its Next Steps program for students with autism (2013, 2015). First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Theatre Wisconsin, Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.