Continued Success Amid Grand Ave Redevelopment
The Underground Collaborative reaches 7 years in the heart of downtown
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Underground Collaborative (161 W. Wisconsin Ave, L1100), Milwaukee’s unique creative venue, art gallery and rental space continues to grow after seven years on the Lower Level of the Plankinton building in the Shops of Grand Avenue. Stores in the area have closed to make room for The Avenue, a reimagined use of the buildings that were once The Grand Avenue Mall. The UC continues to thrive in its present 8,000 sq ft location since 2012, offering weekly events including plays, live comedy and gallery night events, along with rental space for theatre and arts groups in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.
“It’s exciting to be surrounded by all the new development in these historic buildings,” said Matt Kemple, Founder and Manager of The Underground Collaborative. “We have a lot to offer residents in the area looking for unique events. The UC is right in the middle of it; condo dwellers won’t even have to go outside to enjoy a world premier play or hilarious comedy show.”
In 2018, The Underground Collaborative hosted 50 different events totaling more than 140 shows; from theatre and art gallery events, to live comedy and music. Milwaukee Comedy, the region’s premier independent comedy production company utilizes The UC for a monthly stand up comedy show along with numerous special events, including the annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival. The UC walls are home to an art gallery curated by Sue Berce and features 8 resident artists along with rotating guest artists and a range of mediums including oil and acrylic paintings, pen and ink, watercolors, photography, raku and more. Voices Found Repertory produces passionate, empathetic stagings of Shakespeare’s plays along with new works and The Constructivists – recently named ‘BEST NEW THEATRE 2018’ by Milwaukee Magazine, both utilize the UC theatre for their full seasons. The Underground Collaborative also features the SoundLab Recording Studio run by Gary Lawrence.
2019 shows no signs of slowing down for The UC with event commitments including Milwaukee Comedy – doubling the number of comedy events at The UC monthly; theatre groups Voices Found Repertory, The Constructivists, Outskirts Theatre, and Company of Strangers Theater Co. are committed to bringing live theatre to the stage with several productions each; and weekend rentals are already booked through April of 2019.
The venue features weekly live events and has become a staple to the local arts scene by renting unique and affordable space for shows, events, rehearsals meetings and classes.
More information on upcoming events, rentals and more is available via ucmke.com
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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