Professional Residencies

Acting Residents work closely with Milwaukee Rep’s in-house artists, principal actors, and acclaimed guest directors on a variety of productions during their Residency. Resident appointments mimic Actors Equity outlines for a set of shows throughout the season.

The role in which a given Acting Resident functions can change with each production though the focus never strays from acting: there are no technical or administrative responsibilities attached. The primary objective being to create a bridge to the professional world by getting Residents in the rehearsal rooms and preparing them through participation and observation. This includes three components: understudy/onstage work, workshops and auditions, and professional mentoring.

Understudy and Onstage Work: Actors understudy roles in Milwaukee Rep’s productions and play ensemble roles as available. Through these assignments, Acting Residents have an opportunity to share the experience and knowledge of working professionals, to build relationships with those professionals, and to develop their own practice with the support and guidance of Milwaukee Rep artists.

Workshops and Auditions: Throughout the season, Acting EPRs participate in a variety of workshops with professionals. Past workshops have included Q&As with industry members and nationally known casting directors, intimacy training, meetings with agents, graduate school preparation, branding and personal creative style, centering wellness in one’s practice, and a variety of acting workshops focusing on styles and approaches. They are also provided with the opportunity to audition for several Wisconsin theater organizations throughout the year.

Professional Mentoring: Milwaukee Rep makes every effort to help Acting Residents find professional work following their seasons. The center of their mentorship experience is based around one-on-one and group check-ins with Artistic staff members at Milwaukee Rep. These meetings focus on goal setting, helping an artist articulate their process, and discussing whatever challenges actors are meeting in the room.  

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Information about our 2027/28 Season Acting Residents will be available later this fall. As reference, in the past we have asked applicants to provide the following. 

Application Materials Required
PLEASE SUBMIT WRITTEN MATERIALS IN .DOC or .PDF FORMATS and IMAGES AS .PDF, .JPG, OR .PNG FORMATS. Failure to do so may result in a delay of reviewing your materials. Please include the following:

1. Resume

2. Current headshot

3. One (1) Letter of Recommendation: Please note, the person writing your Letter of Recommendation should differ from your Professional References.

4. Cover Letter (500 words or less): that answers the following questions:

• What are your personal artistic goals and your connection to your art? How do you see this connecting to the world?
• Why are you seeking an Acting Residency at Milwaukee Rep at this point in your career?
• How will you use your time in the EPR program to develop your professional skills?

Essays are evaluated on the way you express your ideas, the written flow of your thoughts, and your use of language (including grammar and mechanics). Using outside help to write your essay undermines the ability of our selection committee to evaluate your potential for success at Milwaukee Rep. While having someone proofread your writing or provide feedback is permitted, submission of your essay confirms that the writing was produced by you, with no assistance from another person or electronic resource such as ChatGPT.

5. Your self-taped audition video totaling no more than 6 minutes. Audition pieces should encapsulate your strengths as an artist and meet the following criteria: 

• Two (2) Contrasting Contemporary Monologue
• One (1) Song Selection of no more than one minute
• One (1) Dance Reel of no more than one minute (partners accepted)

Tips for a Successful Video Submission

• Please slate yourself and your pieces
• Each piece should be a separate link and video. Do NOT splice them all into one.
• Please use YouTube or Vimeo to share your videos
• If your videos are password protected, please remember to include the password
• Please confine your playing space to 5’x5’
• Use natural lighting
• Position your camera for good audio pickup
• Set your phone to DND
• Dress for a professional audition and avoid props/drastic costume choices
• Video auditions are required for all Acting Resident applicants, even if you have already auditioned or will audition in person

6. Contact information for two (2) professional references that can speak about your work. Please include their Name, Title/Position, Phone Number, & Email. Please verify with your references that they can be easily reachable at the contact information given. Failure to get a hold of references may prevent full consideration of your application.

The primary objective of the Directing Residency is to create a bridge to the professional world by getting Residents in the rehearsal rooms and in conversation with our professional directors. This opportunity includes three components: assisting work, directing work, and professional mentoring.

Assisting Work: Directing Residents serve as Assistant Directors for Rep productions on multiple stages as well as for the annual production of A Christmas Carol. As ADs, Directing Residents participate as important components of the creative process with some of the most respected American and international directors working in theater today, learning valuable skills from and making important connections with their principal directors.

Directing Work: As part of their AD responsibilities, Directing Residents supervise the understudy process for the production to which they are assigned, scheduling and leading daily understudy rehearsals throughout the rehearsal period ensuring they are prepared to go onstage as early as first preview.

Professional Mentorship: In addition to their close work with visiting directors, Directing EPRs have a dedicated staff member that will check in with them several times throughout the year. These meetings often focus on helping the director articulate their vision and strengths, preparing for pitches, tackling pre-production work, and navigating challenges in the rehearsal room.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Information about our 2027/28 Season Directing Residents will be available later this fall. As reference, in the past we have asked applicants to provide the following. 

Application Materials Required
PLEASE SUBMIT WRITTEN MATERIALS IN .DOC or .PDF FORMATS and IMAGES AS .PDF, .JPG, OR .PNG FORMATS. Failure to do so may result in a delay of reviewing your materials. Please include the following:

1. Resume

2. Current headshot

3. Cover Letter (500 words or less) that answers the following questions:

• How does your personal passion meet your directing artistry?
• Why are you seeking a Directing Residency at Milwaukee Rep at this point in your career?
• How will you use your time in the EPR program to develop your professional skills?

4. Writing Sample (500 words or less)
Pick one of the following plays from the 2025/26 Season and write as if you were the director addressing your creative team and actors on the first day of rehearsal about your connection to it and why it is important to today’s audiences.

Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini; adapted by Ben Power
And then There Were None by Agatha Christie

5. Contact Information for Two (2) Professional References that can speak about your work (Name, Title, Relationship to you, Phone, and Email please)

6. One (1) Letter of Recommendation: Please note, the person writing your Letter of Recommendation should differ from your Professional References.

Milwaukee Rep’s Education & Engagement Emerging Professional Residency (EPR) prepares motivated future theater educators and engagement advocates for a successful career in school and community-based work. This multifaceted program provides training and mentorship opportunities and hands-on experience in program administration and implementation. 

The Education & Engagement Residents will be an integral part of Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s learning experiences, which impact nearly 20,000 students and community members per year. Residency opportunities include teaching in schools and community centers, facilitation of audience and community engagement events, curriculum development for workshops and residencies, assisting with student matinees, and various administrative duties. The scope of work can evolve and change based on the Education & Engagement Resident’s interests and skills, and is designed to increase in responsibility throughout the season. As an active member of the Education & Engagement Department, the Emerging Professional Resident has the opportunity to attend department staff meetings and organization-wide gatherings. 

A successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to multitask, a keen eye for detail, an interest in generous and thoughtful collaboration, a strong sense of self-motivation, a curious and critical mind, and the capacity to demonstrate consistent empathy and professionalism in their work. The candidate should have an enthusiasm for education and community engagement, experience working with youth and a willingness to learn more about the expansion of arts appreciation, literacy, social emotional skills and community connection in the Milwaukee area. A great sense of humor is a plus. 

Please note that the Education & Engagement Resident will primarily work during school day hours but night and weekend availability will be required.  

While we welcome candidates with a background in any theater focus, this Residency is devoted to work in the Education & Engagement Department and is geared toward people who are primarily interested in careers in Theater Education, Arts Administration, and Community Engagement. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Information about our 2027/28 Season Education & Engagement Residents will be available later this fall. As reference, in the past we have asked applicants to provide the following.  

Application Material Required
1.  Resume
2.  Current Headshot
3.  One (1) Letter of Recommendation
4.  Cover Letter (500 words or less): that answers the following questions:

• What sparked your connection to arts integration in education and/or the community?
• Why are you seeking an Education & Engagement Residency at Milwaukee Rep at this point in your career?
• How will you use your time in the EPR program to develop your professional skills?

5.  Contact information for two (2) professional references who can speak about your work. Please include their Name, Title/Position, Phone Number, & Email. Please verify with your references that they can be easily reached at the contact information given. Failure to get a hold of a reference may prevent full consideration of your application.

Milwaukee Rep’s Arts Management Residency prepares motivated theater makers for a successful career in Arts Administration. This pilot program provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the different areas of Arts Management, while also experiencing the innerworkings of a large LORT theater.

Milwaukee Rep produces 12+ shows per season, and works with over 200 guest artists every year. The Arts Management Resident will be an integral part of inner work of Milwaukee Rep. This Residency is a customizable experience, geared towards the Resident’s learning needs and career goals. Residency opportunities include learning from different departments, including, but not limited to, Company Management, General Management, and Human Resources.

A successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to multitask, have flexibility in their learning, and demonstrate empathy, professionalism, and discretion.

Please note that the Arts Management Resident will primarily work during office hours from 9am-5:30pm, but night and weekend availability may be required. There is not an on-call requirement for this role.

While we welcome candidates with a background in the arts, this Residency focuses on work in a non-profit theater organization.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Information about our 2027/28 Season Arts Management Residency will be available later this fall. As reference, in the past we have asked applicants to provide the following.

Application Materials Required
1. Resume
2. One (1) Letter of Recommendation
3. Cover Letter (500 words or less) that answers the following questions:

• Why are you interested in the Arts Management Residency at this point in your career?
• What are your career goals and interests?
• What specific skills are you hoping to gain from this residency?

4. Contact information for two (2) professional or educational references who can speak about your work. Please include their Name, Title/Position, Phone Number, and Email. Please verify with your references that they can be easily reached at the contact information given. Failure to get a hold of a reference may prevent full consideration of your application.