Professional Residencies
In order to further the development of the next generation of American theater artists, Milwaukee Repertory Theater has supported one of regional theater’s most highly respected programs for emerging professionals for over 50 years. Each season, Milwaukee Rep welcomes between fifteen and twenty Emerging Professional Residents (EPRs) who join the company in order to gain valuable experience and to learn from experts in their fields. Milwaukee Rep’s residency program serves as an entry into professional theater, an invaluable step towards obtaining an Equity card, an opportunity to make connections with directors and actors from around the country, and a chance to spend a season working in one of America’s foremost regional theaters.
Milwaukee Rep’s program is designed for artists and technicians with a firm commitment to a professional theater career, a strong work ethic, and a desire to hone one’s craft through deep immersion in rehearsal/performance or production process. Milwaukee Rep is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion and actively seeks applications from a diverse pool of candidates. Residents and Fellows benefit by playing an integral role in a vigorous, supportive company through active participation in the rehearsal or production process and close observation of the work of successful theater professionals. Former Residents and Fellows can be found at many high profile theatres and production shops throughout the country.
EPRs receive a modest stipend and free, private housing and bus passes for transportation to and from the theater. Most EPRs are recent graduates of BFA or MFA programs.
All residents share a basic set of qualifications:
+ Possess a level of maturity and self-sufficiency to work in a professional theater environment
+ Consistently able to arrive on time and ready for work
+ Demonstrated skills needed for chosen department
+ Have good communication skills
+ Able to independently seek additional learning opportunities
Production Residents and Fellows can expect to work with top theatre practitioners from across the country including: May Adrales, Ayad Akhtar, Joe Cerqua, Charles Coes, Scott Davis, Jason Fassl, Theresa Ham, Nicholas Hussong, Izumi Inaba, Todd Edward Ivins, Lindsay Jones, Pornchanok Kanchanabanca, Takeshi Kata, Rachel Laritz, Timothy Mackabee, Jared Mezzocchi, Jeff Nellis, Noele Stollmack, Courtney O’Neill, Dael Orlandersmith, Andre Pluess, Collette Pollard, Alison Siple, Kimberly Senior, Thom Weaver, Melissa Ng
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is committed to creating a culturally diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity company. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for residency without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
At this time we are unable to accept foreign applicants without a current US Work Permit.
Acting Residency
Acting Residents work closely with Milwaukee Rep’s Associate Artists and acclaimed guest actors on a variety of productions during their full-season residency. While the role in which a given Acting Resident functions can change with each production, the focus never strays from acting: there are no technical or administrative responsibilities attached to Acting Residencies.
The primary objective of the Acting Residency is to understudy roles in Milwaukee Rep’s Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio, and Stackner Cabaret seasons, as well as in A Christmas Carol in the historic Pabst Theater. Through these understudy assignments, Acting Residents not only have an opportunity to observe processes and share the experience and knowledge of working professionals—and to apply such knowledge to their own work—but to develop mentoring relationships with those same professionals. Understudy runs performed shortly after openings allow EPRs to showcase their work for fellow Milwaukee Rep company members. Having a dynamic Emerging Professional Residency Ensemble also allows Milwaukee Rep to mount large cast productions; to that end, Acting Residents play ensemble and principal roles in mainstage shows throughout the season, as available.
Milwaukee Rep makes every effort to help Acting Residents find professional work following their seasons. Acting Residents also earn Equity Membership Candidacy points during their internships. In the culmination of their season, the Acting Residents are showcased in Rep Lab, Milwaukee Rep’s critically-acclaimed annual festival that highlights the work of our Emerging Professional Residents. It also creates an opportunity for the Artistic EPRs to collaborate with Production and Administrative EPRs.
Directing Residency
Directing Residents serve as Assistant Directors for Rep productions in the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio, and Stackner Cabaret, 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.
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. The work of the AD and understudy cast is showcased and reviewed at an understudy run shortly following the opening of each production.
Directing Residents also showcase their directing skills in Rep Lab, Milwaukee Rep’s critically-acclaimed annual festival festival that highlights the work of our Emerging Professional Residents. Rep Lab allows Directing Residents to showcase their own directorial skills and. It also creates an opportunity for the Artistic EPRs to collaborate with Production and Administrative EPRs.
Important Dates: Applications for the Residency are due on March 15, 2020.
Each year the Residency dates change based on the dates of the theatrical season, and the need for EPRs in and around specific productions. Typically, the Emerging Professional Residency starts in mid-August and ends in the Spring (March, April, or May), but there are exceptions.
Stipend: $100/week
Housing/Transportation: All EPRs are housed in two or three bedroom apartments at the UW-M Kenilworth Apartments. Each Resident has their own room and shares a common area, kitchen, and bathroom with one to two other EPRs. Internet, cable, and all utilities are included. Monthly bus passes are provided to all Residents.
Perks: In addition to professional development and networking opportunities, EPRs receive free tickets to Rep productions, invitations to Angel events, audition opportunities, workshops, and points towards AEA membership (Acting Residents only).
How to Apply:
Applications for the Residency are due on March 15, 2020.
The application portal is now open and will remain open through the application deadline. To apply, please go to the Artistic Residency Application and follow the instructions provided. Please contact Frank Honts with any questions.
Applications consist of the following parts:
+ Background Information
+ Education Background
+ Theater Experience
Your current resume and headshot/photo must be attached to this portion of the application.
+ Written Questions
ALL ARTISTIC RESIDENCY APPLICANTS
You will be asked to submit a .pdf or Word document that answers the following questions:
1. At this point in your career, why do you seek an Emerging Professional Residency?
2. Why do you specifically seek an Emerging Professional Residency with Milwaukee Rep?
3. What do you feel you could contribute to Milwaukee Rep?
4. In your opinion, what is the role of theater in our society?
5. What are your future goals?
DIRECTING APPLICANTS ONLY: In 500 words or less, please describe your best or worst directing experience, including what you gained as a director and as a person.
ACTING APPLICANTS ONLY: Video Audition Submission
1. Two contrasting contemporary monologues
2. One Shakespeare monologue
3. 32 bars of a song
Note: We are looking for performers to join the EPR program who bring a variety of strengths to the creative process. As such, we know that not all applicants will excel in every area of performance. Since each slot in the residency will different things of a given actor, the purpose of these auditions is to identify each performer's strengths. Actors may submit each part of their audition as one edited video or in separate, individual links. We accept links from YouTube, Vimeo, or GoogleDrive.
+ Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation as part of their application. In your application, please provide information about the two individuals from whom you have requested letters. If they have provided their letters to you for submission, please upload them as .pdf or Word documents as part of the application. Letters of recommendation may also be submitted by the person writing on your behalf.
To submit via email, please send letters to fhonts@milwaukeerep.com.
By regular mail, send letters to:
Milwaukee Rep
Attn: Frank Honts (EPR Recommendation)
108 E. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
All letters must be received (not postmarked) by the application deadline of March 15.
Applications must be completed via the application portal and must be submitted by March 15, 2020.
Please contact Frank Honts with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is an in-person audition required for the Acting Residency?
A: We do not require Residency candidates to audition in person. If an actor is available, an in-person audition is beneficial. All candidates, even if they have auditioned in-person, are required to submit a video audition as part of the application materials.
Q: What is the general timeline of acceptance following submission / deadline date?
A: Initial offers will be made within one month of the application deadline. All applicants will be informed of selection decisions once our review process is complete.
Q: Can I apply for both the Directing and Acting Residencies?
A: Candidates are encouraged to apply for either the Directing Residency or the Acting Residency. However, if one feels confident in both abilities, they can still apply for both. Please provide a copy of all requested materials and send each application separately. Letters of recommendation may be the same for both applications, but feel free to include different letters if that is preferable.