Milwaukee Rep Launches Professional Training Institute for Young Artists

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announces the launch of the Professional Training Institute (PTI), an advanced actor training program for students in 8th-12th grade who may have an interest in pursuing a career as a professional theater artist. Participants will receive free training from some of the top theater professionals in the world culminating in a capstone summer performance where they will be employed as paid, professional actors. Support for this program is provided by funders of The Rep's new community engagement initiative Mpact, which is designed to further the theater's mission of creating positive change in the cultural, social and economic vitality of Milwaukee.

Up to 20 of Southeastern Wisconsin's most talented young artists will be admitted into the inaugural class of the Professional Training Institute where they will spend the school year training with leading theater artists including Tony-Award winnerAnthony Crivello, 10-time Joseph Jefferson Award-winner Hollis Resnik, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Casting DirectorJC Clementz, Broadway star Nathaniel Stampley, Milwaukee Rep Artistic Director Mark Clements, Guthrie Theater's Director of Company Development/Movement Director Marcela Lorca, Olivier Award nominee Frank Ferrante and renowned Director and Playwright KJ Sanchez. At the conclusion of eight months of training, institute members in good standing will be automatically cast as paid, professional actors in the inaugural Milwaukee Rep Professional Training Institute Production, a fully produced performance opportunity which will be held in the Stiemke Studio in June 2017.

"As Wisconsin's largest professional theater and a cornerstone of Milwaukee's vibrant theater community, we are deeply committed to the development of local talent and that starts with our community's incredibly talented young artists," saysChad Bauman, Milwaukee Rep's Managing Director. "We look forward to welcoming the best and brightest young performers to The Rep to train with the world's leading theater artists at no cost and then experiencing their talents in a fully produced show where they will be engaged as paid professional actors."

Auditions will be held Monday August 15th from 3pm - 8pm at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. All participants must sign up for an audition slot here. Participants should prepare one memorized monologue (no longer than 1 minute, 30 seconds) and bring their best talent (slam poetry, singing, playing an instrument, breakdancing, yodeling, tap dancing - you name it!) that can be showcased in under a minute. Additionally, they will also be asked to speak to why they want to be a part of this program in the audition. Please bring one copy of a recent photograph (professional headshots are not required) and arrive 10 minutes early to fill out an audition form.

Training Sessions will be held on the third Monday of each month from 5pm - 8pm at Milwaukee Repertory Theater:September 19, October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 20, March 20, April 17, and May 15. Members of the Professional Training Institute may not miss more than one training session per year.