Jeff Frank

The Most Famous Reindeer of All Returns to First Stage in its 2024-25 Season

The longest-running holiday TV special of all time, brought to life 12 years ago at First Stage, makes a triumphant return as Rudolph and friends celebrate their 60th Anniversary.

Wisconsin Economic Summit kicks off Tuesday

Speakers will explore artificial intelligence and innovation during two-day event in La Crosse.

Heroes Assemble: First Stage Soars to New Heights with its 2024/25 Season

Disney favorites, evil queens, prehistoric adventures, holiday classics, and groovy, guitar-playing cats take center stage this season

First Stage proudly presents ESCAPE FROM PELIGRO ISLAND: A Create Your Own Adventure Play

Join Callaway Brown in this interactive, unforgettable adventure of a lifetime

First Stage’s award-winning Young Company presents AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

A searing examination of the intersection of politics and the public good

First Stage announces date for next year’s Make Believe Ball: Saturday, May 10, 2025

Milwaukee’s premier black-tie event for the entire family will be held at Baird Center

First Stage celebrates spring with fun production of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE MUSICAL

Hilarious and heartfelt musical about friendship and surviving middle school

A fun-filled, friendship-packed musical ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN PLAY!” comes to Milwaukee Youth Arts Center this month

Real-life friends James Carrington and Rachael Zientek reprise their charming roles as Gerald and Piggie

First Stage presents action-packed, mythical adventure THE LIGHTNING THIEF: The Percy Jackson Musical

Filled with powerful music, ingenious storytelling, high action and compelling characters

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical returns to First Stage this holiday season!

The horrible Herdmans will make you laugh and melt your heart at the same time

First Stage Announces New Managing Director Daniel Grambow

A Milwaukee native, Grambow brings his collaborative spirit and strategic administrative skills to lead the organization into its next chapter

First Stage proudly presents the world premiere production THE FORGOTTEN GIRL

Mysterious ghost story comes to Milwaukee Youth Arts Center just in time for Halloween

Uplifting world premiere production DREAM, QUICKIE! DREAM! opens at Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Todd Wehr Theater this October

Inspired by the life of Donald Driver and celebrating the idea to dream big

First Stage announces Artistic and Creative Teams for 2023/24 season

Michelle LoRicco joins First Stage as new Associate Artistic Director

Position will play critical role in new play development, casting and community engagement as First Stage moves forward

Amplify BIPOC Play Series returns to First Stage for fourth season

Featuring three play readings by BIPOC playwrights Ty Defoe, Alvaro Saar Rios and Marcus Yi

First Stage Managing Director Betsy Corry to Retire Following 2022/23 Season

First Stage raises over $150,000 at 29th Annual Make Believe Ball

Managing Director Betsy Corry was also honored for her years of service at the event

First Stage brings Tolkien’s epic tale The Hobbit to Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

An immersive theatrical experience featuring 5 actors, 1 musician and 32 characters

First Stage Breaks Fundraising Record at Annual Wine Tasting & Dinner Event

First Stage celebrates the holidays with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer™: The Musical

The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and returns to the Todd Wehr this holiday season

Milwaukee’s First Stage and Ko-Thi Dance Company in collaboration present THE DANCING GRANNY

A fun, interactive First Steps production that kids and adults will enjoy together

First Stage’s Annual ImpACT Event Highlights Community Impact and Commitment

Samantha D. Montgomery is named Artistic Inclusion and Community Engagement Director at First Stage

New role will help expand First Stage’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Justice efforts

First Stage Offers Holiday Gift to the Milwaukee Community CHRISTMASTOWN COMES TO FIRST STAGE

A free virtual holiday special featuring music, humor and a healthy dose of magic

First Stage’s Virtual Season of Plays continues with comedic romp SHE KILLS MONSTERS: VIRTUAL REALMS

Featuring First Stage Theater Academy’s Advanced Acting students

Children’s Theater Digs for City History

New play by First Stage revolves around quest to find Solomon Juneau’s treasure.

World Premiere The Quest for Solomon’s Treasure

Opens First Stage’s 2020/21 Virtual Season of Plays

First Stage Announces New HOPE Fund Special Relief Initiative

First Stage Announces Through Our Lens – A New Virtual Performance Series

-Featuring a New Membership program for the 2020/21 Season-

First Stage cancels all remaining performances for 2019/20 season

An urgent message regarding First Stage performance schedule due to COVID-19

First Stage Breaks Fundraising Record at Tenth Annual Wine Tasting & Dinner Event

Funds raised through this event support First Stage’s mission of transforming lives through theater.

Delightful ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” Opens at First Stage this September

Featuring James Carrington as Gerald the Elephant and Rachael Zientek as Piggie the Pig. Based on the Elephant & Piggiebooks by Mo Willems. Published by Hyperion Books for Children Book and lyrics by Mo Willems/Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma Directed by Matt Daniels

Single Tickets for First Stage’s 2019/20 SEASON Go on Sale Monday, August 5th!

Celebrate Girl Power at First Stage this season

First Stage Announces Expanded Playwrights-In-Residence and Commitment to New Play Development

Three of the Playwrights-in-Residence plays will be included in First Stage’s upcoming 2019/20 season.

First Stage presents World Premiere production of GIRLS IN THE BOAT

Featuring the award-winning Young Company. By Alice Austen. Directed by Marcella Kearns

First Stage announces complete casting for Roald Dahl’s MATILDA The Musical

Tickets start at $25

‘Dear White People’ Actor Returns Home

Milwaukee native Jeremy Tardy got his start at First Stage, was keynote speaker for event here.

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

The world premiere ANTARCTICA, WI came about from international, award-winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer having conversations with the young people of Milwaukee.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Highlights Efforts to Boost Wisconsin’s Maritime Industry in Green Bay and Marinette

Baldwin-authored bipartisan legislation is enacted into law to address the need for more trained workers in the domestic maritime industry

First Stage announces its most ambitious and inspiring season yet!

Featuring four musicals including the full-length, Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s MATILDA THE MUSICAL, direct from Broadway

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE comes to First Stage this January

Directed by John Maclay

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS returns to First Stage this holiday season

November 24, 2017 – December 31, 2017

First Stage Announces its 2017-2018 Season!

With two world premieres and celebrated family favorites, First Stage continues its commitment to spectacular theater experiences for young people and families.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical returns to First Stage this holiday season!

November 25 – December 31, 2016 at the The Marcus Center’s Todd Wehr Theater

First Stage commissions its first international playwright with THE SNOW world premiere.

February 26 – March 20, 2016 at the Todd Wehr Theater, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

First Stage’s 2015-16 First Steps series kicks off with world premiere play SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN

October 10 – November 1, 2015 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

First Stage presents “Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever!”

First Stage presents its 50th world premiere play

First Stage completes first successful run of holiday production in Chicago; over 27,000 tickets sold to new audiences.

First Stage successfully introduces its unique brand of theater for young audiences to families in Chicago and beyond.

The Tragedy of Judy Garland

Rep’s End of the Rainbow offers the laughs and tears and songs of Garland’s hyper-dramatic life.