1. What was the FIRST play you ever saw?: I have a recollection of seeing several musicals while in elementary school. As for plays, I have a vivid memory of seeing THE CRUCIBLE while I was in middle school. I remember that the production was performed on raked stage. I want to say that I saw it at the Attic Theatre in Appleton but I don’t think that their theatre group actually put on the performance. I was so impressed by the actors working on the raked stage as if they were on flat ground. The drama of the play was incredible and set, lighting, and sound really enhanced the mood of the action on stage.

2. What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater?: While pratfalls and physical comedy are funny, I laugh more at a show that contains sharp wit and subtle sarcasm. I remember seeing THE FOREIGNER a couple of years ago and laughing so much that my face hurt when the show was over. As for crying, I can cry at a comedy as well as a drama; especially when the actors draw you in and get you to really feel their emotions, be it pain or joy. There are a couple of scenes in LOST IN YONKERS and OVER THE TAVERN that have taken me there.

3. Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR?: I have not yet been lucky enough to take in a theatre production in a place like New York or Chicago. That being said, I believe that the quality of actors in the Milwaukee metropolitan area is phenomenal. Being involved in community theatre, I am truly amazed at the number of excellent actors around here that rarely get paid and when they do, it isn’t nearly enough for what they do. The actor that I have been most impressed with recently is James Pickering from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. His performance in A CHRISTMAS CAROL every year is outstanding.

4. Has theater ever CHANGED your perspective? Your life?: Many people may answer this question from the side of seeing theatre. I would like to answer it from the perspective of being involved in theatre. Theatre has totally changed my view on the arts as a whole. I have really learned to appreciate the effort and commitment that goes into all artistic endeavors, especially theatrical ones.

What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Where did you see it? Why is it your favorite?: There are so many great plays that it is really hard to choose just one. For sentimental reasons, I would have to choose LOST IN YONKERS by Neil Simon. A few years ago, my son played Arty for the production at Waukesha Civic Theatre and I helped out as a dresser backstage. During the final weekend, my wife took over my backstage responsibilities for one performance so I could see the show. Although I knew all the lines from hearing them every night, seeing it for first time was an awesome experience. The emotion of that show has you laughing one minute and crying the next.

6. Why THEATER?: Because you never know what is going to happen. Every performance of a show is different. There are so many variables that come into play during a live theatre performance. You may have seen a particular play many times but the timing of the actors, the set design, the use of costumes, and overall direction will make each particular performance unique and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This post was submitted by Kurt Magoon.

Susan Loveridge filled out the Your Live Theater Story Form.  You can too by clicking here.

1. What was the FIRST play you ever saw?: Gypsy with Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman. I was 11 years old and the show began my love affair with theatre, sparking my desire to be an actress.

2. What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater?: Human connections–made and lost.

3. Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR?: Beth Mulkerron, for many reasons.

4. Has theater ever CHANGED your perspective? Your life?: Life-changing…see number 1. Perspective…I think my mind is opened a bit more with every production I see.

What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Where did you see it? Why is it your favorite?: The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer. A world premiere at Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park, it simply took me by surprise with both its thought-provoking content and the fascinating production choices made to tell the story.

6. Why THEATER?: Within an hour of my first trip to New York City, in the middle of a warm afternoon, a stage hand pulled a few volunteers into the theatre where Into the Woods was playing. Bodies were needed to fill the seats for the taping of that week’s Tony Award excerpt. As I sat in that darkened theatre watching take after take, I realized that when the overture begins–for any musical theatre production–I feel more fully alive than when I’m doing anything else, as if the music itself has replaced the blood coursing through my veins. I fill my life with volunteer theatre activity in my community because I am passionate about its potential for soul-deep connections–to each other and to our own humanity. I want to ensure that future generations are offered the same artistic opportunities that have shaped and blessed my life.

This post was submitted by Susan Loveridge.

Rex Winsome filled out the Your Live Theater Story Form.  You can too by clicking here.

1. What was the FIRST play you ever saw?: Christmas pagaent.

2. What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater?: I sometimes laugh at stupid shit, but i don’t like that. I like when i laugh at something that only means something in the context of the peice, when something contained within one of the characters becomes funnny. I cry when characters are caught within situations that turn their attempts at ethical or even rational action into devastating unintended consequences and they become aware of it and don’t know what else they can do.

3. Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR?: My favorite performance was a guy doing notes from underground by candlelight. I don’t know that guys name. Ice Volt also kicks ass.

4. Has theater ever CHANGED your perspective? Your life?: Changes my perspective often. Though, very little i’ve seen on stage in Milwaukee ever has. Every aspect of my life is currently shaped to best serve producing theatre.

What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Where did you see it? Why is it your favorite?: I can’t narrow down to one. Notes From Underground at the Brick in NYC, Conversation Storm at Darling Hall, 7 Jewish Children at Rooms in Chicago, Depth of a Moment and Deviants at MN Fringe are all up there.

6. Why THEATER?: The traditions and institutions of theatre are currently in crisis mode like no other medium, there’s tons of dead stuff that needs to be learned from and then shoved aside, as a result there is so much that can be done with theatre that’s barely been tried. It provides unique ephemeral experiences, while other mediums provide unique objects or mass producable simulations of experiences.

This post was submitted by Rex Winsome.

Taken from a recording with Michael Wright at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre offices on March 19, 2009.

1.     What was the FIRST play you ever saw? I’m not sure it was actually the first play I ever saw, but my first really vibrant theater memory was when I was in elementary school and I was looking for a high school to go to and I applied to some private schools. I went to a play, more of a variety show, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, an all male Catholic school, and I fell in love with the school because of this production.  I ended up getting a scholarship to this school, but it was because of this show, I just fell in love with theater.  I can remember distinctly just the joy of seeing this show.  It was really well produced, and they had a great theater program.  It was just something they threw together.  Something like, “St. Joe’s Follies.”

2.    What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater? I always laugh and cry in a theater.  My strongest memory is seeing Tom Aldrich in ON GOLDEN POND in New York.  I remember sitting there and literally laughing and crying simultaneously, the guy was so brilliant.  So that’s always been something that’s stuck with me.  That’s my favorite theater, when you’re laughing and you’re crying at the same time because it’s so true, so honest, you recognize human foibles and human misery at the same time.

3.    Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR? Well, I’ve got many.  I love Tom Aldrich because of that experience with ON GOLDEN POND.  But I think we’ve got great local talent.  I love Jim DeVita.  I love Gerry Neugent.  I love Colleen Madden. Tracy Arnold.  Jim Ridge.  Brian Mani.  I think we have incredible people here, so that’s immediately where my heart goes.

4.    Has theatre ever CHANGED your perspective? I feel like often when I see theater, it opens my eyes, it opens my heart.  I do think it has the power to change people’s perspectives always.  So, yes, absolutely.  It’s a powerful communal experience viewing theater, seeing yourself up there.  Seeing your neighbors, your colleagues.  Who you want to be. Seeing your heroes up there, being inspired by that.  Theater changes lives.

5.    What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Usually one I’m working on.  My current favorite play is BROOKLYN BOY (which Michael was working on when we spoke).  I love this play.  Part of it is just loving the digging into it.  The experience of, the searching, and I don’t mean just looking through encyclopedias, just visualizing, thinking about a play.  Casting a play.  Design discussions. To me that is so rich.  My favorite play is always the one I’m working on right then and there.

6.    Why THEATER? Because there’s nothing like it.  That idea of sitting with a bunch of strangers in a safe environment and experiencing something collectively, recognizing that we’re all alike, although we’re all different, that we’re all part of the same family.  There’s nothing like it.

Michael Wright is the Artistic Director of Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.