Milwaukee Rep's Artistic Director Mark Clements Extends Contract Through 2017

The Board of Trustees of Milwaukee Repertory Theater is thrilled to announce that Artistic Director Mark Clements has renewed his contract for another four years beginning July 1, 2013 and continuing through June 31, 2017.

During Clements' three-year, box office-breaking tenure at The Rep, accomplishments have included: producing critically-acclaimed, powerful and thought-provoking full-scale musicals for the first time in The Rep's history in the Quadracci Powerhouse main stage theater; expanding The Rep's Artistic Family to a wider group of Associate Artists which now includes directors, writers, designers and musicians in addition to actors; and broadening the audience experience by infusing all three Rep venues with exciting and energizing theater featuring enhanced lobby exhibits and Rep Late Night special events. Additional successful accomplishments since Clements' arrival have been: deepening The Rep's commitment to community engagement initiatives which have expanded the conversation around its creative work; increased educational programs four fold for students of all ages with more student matinees and the creation of Immersion Days; and creating the new, extremely popular short-play festival Rep Lab that showcases the talents of The Rep's Artistic Intern Ensemble.

"I began this relationship with Milwaukee Repertory Theater over three years ago," commented Artistic Director Mark Clements. "I am extremely happy with what we've accomplished so far, but I am also eagerly looking forward to deepening our engagement with our audiences, the Milwaukee community, and raising more awareness amongst the wider theater ecology in America, on what a real gem Milwaukee Rep is, and particularly so through the output of our exciting new play development program. I am proud to call Milwaukee Rep my artistic home and of our vision to create theater for all. I am equally proud to call Milwaukee, Wisconsin my home and to be raising a young family here. Milwaukee audiences are enthusiastic, generous and have a natural curiosity. I am honored to continue on this artistic journey with them for another four years."

"The Board of Trustee's is delighted that Mark has accepted our offer to extend his contract with Milwaukee Rep for another four years," said Board President Judy Hansen. "Mark is a brilliant artist and we have been thrilled with the direction he has taken The Rep in his first three years. From musicals on the Quadracci Powerhouse stage to a significant increase in commissioning new works from internationally renowned writers and programming vital education and community outreach programs.

Mark has a very specific vision for The Rep and we are excited to see what the next four years will bring."

Managing Director Chad Bauman added, "Mark is an extremely talented and ambitious Artistic Director. Working side by side with Mark to expand the programming and reach of Milwaukee Rep is one of the primary reasons I was excited about accepting the position of Managing Director. The work seen on Rep stages is comparable to any of the best work I've seen across the country. Under Mark's artistic leadership, the national profile of The Rep has been dramatically elevated."

Artistic Director Mark Clements began his tenure as The Rep's Artistic Director with the 2010/11 Season. An award-winning international theater director whose work has appeared in over 100 major theaters throughout Europe and the U.S., his recent directing projects at The Rep include: Clybourne Park, Assassins, Othello, Next to Normal, Death of a Salesman,Bombshells and Cabaret. Other credits include: Oliver!, Born Yesterday, Great Expectations, Les Miserables and Of Mice and Men for Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia; The Milliner(Off-Broadway, World Premiere), CSC, New York; My Fair Lady, Copenhagen; The Browning Version at Derby Playhouse and Blunt Speaking (World Premiere), Chichester Festival Theatre U.K/ Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York both starring Corin Redgrave; Speaking in Tongues (U.S. Premiere), Roundabout Theatre Company; Speaking in Tongues (European Premiere), Hampstead Theatre, London; Creator/Director - Soul Train, West End; and three U.K. national tours and the U.K. national tours of The Glass Menagerie, The Gingerbread Lady and Love & Marriage all for Bath Theatre Royal productions. Mark was an Associate Artistic Director for Moving Theatre Company and Associate Director for New End Theatre and New Players Theatre, both in London, Royal Theatre in Northampton and Torch Theatre in Wales. Additionally, Mark served as Artistic Director of the award-winning Derby Playhouse in the U.K. from 1992 to 2002, where he produced over 100 productions, directed 47, including nine transfers to London's West End. He serves on the National Advisory Board for the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship Program at Ten Chimneys. For The Rep's 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season, Clements will direct Ragtime, End of the Rainbow and The History of Invulnerability.