Milwaukee Film Brings Back Take a Seat Campaign at Oriental Theatre

MILWAUKEE – Tuesday, November 11th – Milwaukee Film is thrilled to announce the return of the Take a Seat Campaign, which offers patrons the unique opportunity to have their message immortalized in the form of a seat plaque inside the historic Oriental Theatre. First initiated in 2018 during fundraising for the Oriental Theatre’s restoration, Milwaukee Film is pleased to reignite this campaign and offer the local community a chance to leave their mark on Milwaukee’s favorite cinema palace. Being stewards of a historic building is an honor that our arts nonprofit does not take lightly, and we want to continue the upkeep and restoration of our majestic cinema palace that is recognized as a treasured landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

“By sponsoring a seat at the historic Oriental Theatre, your contribution ensures that Milwaukee Film can continue to keep the lights on, the projectors running, and the popcorn popping for years to come,” expressed Milwaukee Film’s Development Director Rachel Vander Weit. “It’s a fun way to be a part of the Oriental Theatre’s history by leaving a special inscription on a seat plaque. We really enjoy seeing what people come up with and many of these have made us laugh and even shed a few tears,” she concluded.

Folks are welcome to name the seat for themselves, their family, or to honor or memorialize a friend or loved one. Some people use their plaque to reference a favorite film, or commemorate a beloved movie-going memory. Milwaukee Film will confirm plaque inscriptions in advance of the seat installation, and reserves the right to reject any inscription text. Seat inscriptions can be up to three lines of 15 characters (including spaces) each.

Highlights from the first round of Take a Seat inscriptions:

• Put the candle back. – Gene Wilder
• Good luck exploring the infinite abyss
• Fasten your seatbelts…
• MKE Film brings us together, but no texting, no talking
• Popcorn4Supper
• aaand . . . action!
• Wednesday Dates w/my BFF XOXO
• In honor of my Mother who was a movie ticket taker in the 50’-60’s I got to see a wide variety of films.
• You’re sitting in my seat!
• Greta Gerwig Deserved an Oscar for LW

Seat Pricing:

• $5,000 – Main House floor, center premium
• $2,500 – Main House floor, side aisles
• $1,500 – Main House, balcony
• $2,000 – Side Houses

Please note that you are not able to choose the exact location of your seat, and naming a seat does not reserve that seat for your use. Your generous gift will contribute to the upkeep of this historic venue for generations to come. Seat plaques are scheduled to be installed in 2026 in preparation for 2027, the 100th anniversary year of the Oriental Theatre.

More information about the Take a Seat Campaign can be found at mkefilm.org/seat.

About Milwaukee Film

Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences, with a vision to make Milwaukee a center for film culture. Milwaukee Film is committed to high-quality and accessible film programming through their operation of the magnificent Oriental Theatre, a historic cinema palace, and the iconic Downer Theatre, Milwaukee’s oldest running cinema. The second Dialogues Documentary Festival presented by Potawatomi Casino Hotel took place September 18-21, 2025. The 18th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will take place April 16-30, 2026. For more information or to become a Member, visit mkefilm.org.

Milwaukee Film Board of Directors: mkefilm.org/board

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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.