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 of the program is 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 professional 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
This application is intended for people applying to the Acting Residency at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the 2027/28 Season. Preference will be given to applicants who submit all supplementary material on or before March 8 at 8:00am CST. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until all positions are filled. In order to maintain an equitable process, everyone must apply online. Any candidate who requires different accommodations to submit an online application or has any other questions about the program should contact María Amenábar Farias, Associate Producer at mamenabar@milwaukeerep.com.

Acting EPRs may be in residence at Milwaukee Rep starting from August of 2027 and up until May of 2028 (timeframe is contingent on the assigned productions' schedules).

To apply, please submit your materials through the following form: https://airtable.com/appZDDg1zIfH5E14g/pagKttC039NGCzdkM/form

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. A 3–5-minute video introducing yourself and answering the following questions:

• What are your personal artistic goals and your connection to your art?
• 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?
• Anything else we should know about you? We are interested in getting to know who you are as a person!

5. Separate self-taped audition videos. Audition pieces should encapsulate your strengths as an artist and meet the following criteria: 

• Two (2) Contrasting Contemporary Monologues, no more than two minutes each
• One (1) Song Selection of no more than one minute
• One (1) Dance Reel of no more than one minute (partners accepted). This doesn’t need to be anything fancy, just a video (or compilation of videos) of you dancing!

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
This application is intended for people applying to the Directing Residency at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the 2027/28 Season. Preference will be given to applicants who submit all supplementary material on or before March 8 at 8:00am CST. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until all positions are filled. In order to maintain an equitable process, everyone must apply online. Any candidate who requires different accommodations to submit an online application or has any other questions about the program should contact María Amenábar Farias, Associate Producer at mamenabar@milwaukeerep.com.

Directing EPRs may be in residence at Milwaukee Rep starting from August of 2027 and up until May of 2028 (timeframe is contingent on the assigned productions' schedules).

To apply, please submit your materials through the following form: https://airtable.com/appZDDg1zIfH5E14g/pagNPuPudiyScWhBf/form

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 would you describe your work as a director? What pieces do you gravitate to, and what kind of art do you wish to create?
• 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)
Tell us about a directorial experience that shaped you as an artist. What was your vision for the project and how did you make it a reality? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? What did the experience teach you about your artistic approach and process?

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. 

We are accepting two Education & Engagement EPRs, which will be in residence at Milwaukee Rep from August 9, 2027 until May 26, 2028 (timeframe is contingent on the applicant’s schedule).

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
This application is intended for people applying to the Education & Engagement Residency at Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the 2027/28 Season. Preference will be given to applicants who submit all supplementary material on or before March 31th at 8:00am CST. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until all positions are filled. In order to maintain an equitable process, everyone must apply online. Any candidate who requires different accommodations to submit an online application or has any other questions about the program should contact María Amenábar Farias, Associate Producer at mamenabar@milwaukeerep.com. Position specific questions should be directed to Britney Walker-Merritte, Manager of Career Pathways at bwalkermeritte@milwaukeerep.com.

To apply, please submit your materials through the following form: https://airtable.com/appQiBjJlIBoZsy3G/pagKa956cu1LD8cji/form

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.