First Stage Artistic Director Jeff Frank.
Content referencing Jeff Frank
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
May 7th, 2024 by First StageFirst Stage proudly presents ESCAPE FROM PELIGRO ISLAND: A Create Your Own Adventure Play
Join Callaway Brown in this interactive, unforgettable adventure of a lifetime
Apr 24th, 2024 by First StageFirst Stage’s award-winning Young Company presents AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
A searing examination of the intersection of politics and the public good
Apr 9th, 2024 by First StageFirst 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
Apr 3rd, 2024 by First StageFirst Stage celebrates spring with fun production of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE MUSICAL
Hilarious and heartfelt musical about friendship and surviving middle school
Mar 6th, 2024 by First StageA 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
Feb 9th, 2024 by First StageFirst Stage presents action-packed, mythical adventure THE LIGHTNING THIEF: The Percy Jackson Musical
Filled with powerful music, ingenious storytelling, high action and compelling characters
Jan 4th, 2024 by First StageThe 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
Nov 2nd, 2023 by First StageFirst 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
Oct 16th, 2023 by First StageFirst Stage proudly presents the world premiere production THE FORGOTTEN GIRL
Mysterious ghost story comes to Milwaukee Youth Arts Center just in time for Halloween
Oct 12th, 2023 by First StageUplifting 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
Sep 7th, 2023 by First StageFirst Stage announces Artistic and Creative Teams for 2023/24 season
Aug 24th, 2023 by First Stage
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
Jul 19th, 2023 by First StageAmplify 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
Jun 15th, 2023 by First StageFirst Stage Managing Director Betsy Corry to Retire Following 2022/23 Season
May 17th, 2023 by First Stage
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
Mar 23rd, 2023 by First StageFirst 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
Jan 18th, 2023 by First StageFirst Stage Breaks Fundraising Record at Annual Wine Tasting & Dinner Event
Dec 12th, 2022 by First Stage
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
Nov 9th, 2022 by First StageMilwaukee’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
Jan 27th, 2022 by First StageFirst Stage’s Annual ImpACT Event Highlights Community Impact and Commitment
Oct 19th, 2021 by First Stage
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
Jul 13th, 2021 by First StageFirst 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
Dec 10th, 2020 by First StageFirst Stage’s Virtual Season of Plays continues with comedic romp SHE KILLS MONSTERS: VIRTUAL REALMS
Featuring First Stage Theater Academy’s Advanced Acting students
Nov 18th, 2020 by First StageChildren’s Theater Digs for City History
New play by First Stage revolves around quest to find Solomon Juneau’s treasure.
Oct 28th, 2020 by Ana Martinez-OrtizWorld Premiere The Quest for Solomon’s Treasure
Opens First Stage’s 2020/21 Virtual Season of Plays
Sep 22nd, 2020 by First StageFirst Stage Announces New HOPE Fund Special Relief Initiative
Sep 21st, 2020 by First Stage
First Stage Announces Through Our Lens – A New Virtual Performance Series
-Featuring a New Membership program for the 2020/21 Season-
Aug 25th, 2020 by First StageFirst Stage cancels all remaining performances for 2019/20 season
Mar 19th, 2020 by First Stage
An urgent message regarding First Stage performance schedule due to COVID-19
Mar 12th, 2020 by First Stage
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.
Nov 18th, 2019 by First StageDelightful 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
Sep 3rd, 2019 by First StageSingle Tickets for First Stage’s 2019/20 SEASON Go on Sale Monday, August 5th!
Celebrate Girl Power at First Stage this season
Jul 31st, 2019 by First StageFirst 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.
Jun 5th, 2019 by First StageFirst Stage presents World Premiere production of GIRLS IN THE BOAT
Featuring the award-winning Young Company. By Alice Austen. Directed by Marcella Kearns
Nov 28th, 2018 by First StageFirst Stage announces complete casting for Roald Dahl’s MATILDA The Musical
Tickets start at $25
Oct 25th, 2018 by First Stage‘Dear White People’ Actor Returns Home
Milwaukee native Jeremy Tardy got his start at First Stage, was keynote speaker for event here.
Oct 4th, 2018 by Sarah LipoConnecting 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.
Apr 5th, 2018 by First StageU.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
Mar 29th, 2018 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinFirst 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
Mar 26th, 2018 by First StageTHE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE comes to First Stage this January
Directed by John Maclay
Dec 7th, 2017 by First StageA CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS returns to First Stage this holiday season
November 24, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Oct 20th, 2017 by First StageFirst 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.
Mar 6th, 2017 by First StageRudolph 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
Oct 24th, 2016 by First StageFirst 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
Feb 3rd, 2016 by First StageFirst 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
Aug 28th, 2015 by First StageFirst Stage presents “Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever!”
First Stage presents its 50th world premiere play
Apr 7th, 2014 by First StageFirst 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.
Mar 12th, 2014 by First StageThe Tragedy of Judy Garland
Rep’s End of the Rainbow offers the laughs and tears and songs of Garland’s hyper-dramatic life.
Jan 8th, 2014 by Matthew Reddin