Professional Residencies
We are currently accepting applications for an Assistant Lighting Design Resident for our 2021/22 season. For residencies in Acting, Directing, Literary, Casting, and Administrative, please check back in April of 2021.
What is the Emerging Professional Residency Program?
Milwaukee Rep’s residency program serves as an entry into professional theater, an opportunity to make connections with professionals from around the country, and a chance to spend a season working in one of America’s foremost regional theaters. Each season, we accept 15-20 Emerging Professional Residents to join our company in order to gain valuable experience and to learn from experts in the field. Residents benefit by playing an integral role in a vigorous, supportive company through active participation in the theater making process on and off stage and through close collaboration with successful theater professionals.
What is the mission of the Emerging Professional Residency Program?
We further the development of the next generation of American Theater artists and leaders through our Emerging Professional Residency Program, designed to be a bridge into the professional world.
Who should apply?
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.
The EPR program is designed for early-career professionals with a firm commitment to a theater career and a desire to hone one’s craft through deep immersion in the inner workings of a large regional theater.
All residents share a basic set of qualifications:
+ Demonstrated skills needed for chosen department
+ Good communication skills
+ Strong work ethic
+ A level of maturity and self-sufficiency to work in a professional theater environment
+ Consistently able to arrive on time and ready for work
+ Initiative to embrace relevant learning opportunities
Some residents are individuals with relevant experience and great potential in the American Theater and others have recently completed undergraduate or graduate programs.
At this time, we are unable to accept applicants without a current US Work Permit.
How are EPRs compensated?
EPRs receive:
+ $100 weekly untaxed stipend
+ Private bedroom in shared apartment paid for by the Milwaukee Rep
+ Unlimited city bus pass for transportation to and from the theater
+ Professional development and mentorship opportunities
+ Tickets to opening nights and other employee discounts
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.
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).