Teen Council

Leadership For Teens, By Teens

Teen Council is a great leadership program opportunity for high school students to learn about theater, and be directly involved with Milwaukee Rep. Through a leadership board, members plan programs for other teens, participate in events, advocate for arts education, gain professional development, volunteer, and develop the necessary skills for college and future careers.

Milwaukee Rep’s Teen Council Leadership Program is an organization for teens, by teens. Supported by the resources of Milwaukee Rep, our Teen Council’s student-driven opportunities have included: organizing fundraisers, engaging fellow councils from across the country, representing youth voice at national theater conferences, and advocating for the arts before members of the state legislature – all of which happens while learning how to collaborate and engage with one another. This program is meant to develop:
+ College Readiness
+ Community Engagement & Volunteerism
+ Theater Advocacy & Career Preparation

In addition to planning a variety of student-driven events, Council members also have VIP access to Milwaukee Rep, including access to $10 tickets to Rep productions and meet-and-greets with artists!

As the next generation of citizens, the Council welcomes youth with varying interests, backgrounds, and levels of theatrical experience.

Membership

To become a member of the council, you must fill out and submit our application.

Benefits of Teen Council include:
+ Invitations to all Teen Council-hosted activities (Dramathon, Teen Nights, Special Events)
+ Special access to Milwaukee Rep through tours, meet-and-greets, and full company events
+ Opportunities for further leadership positions within the council
+ Access to Milwaukee Rep staff for guidance, job shadows, and potential letters of recommendation

Fill Out An Application To Participate

Schedule

Teen Council meets in Milwaukee Rep’s Board Room every other Monday from 7:00-8:30pm. Meetings are open to all members and are used as a forum for planning events, reflecting upon recent experiences, and working through administrative tasks. Teen Council also has a variety of regular activities and events planned around the Milwaukee Rep’s season. Some of this year’s events include:

Teen Nights
Students will have the opportunity to attend a Milwaukee Rep performance and correlating event at Milwaukee Rep all for just $10! Past events have included dinner with cast members, workshops, games, cookie decorating, and more!

Dramathon
A 24-hour event including non-stop hours of play reading, visits from Rep artists, and plenty of fun as they fundraise for council programming and special events.

Special Events

In addition to regular meetings, the Council plans a variety of special events throughout the Season, further connecting members to the staff, artists, and mission at Milwaukee Rep. Examples of past events include:

Trip to Chicago
Students connected with their peer company, the Steppenwolf Young Adult Council, to share art, culture, and ideas about how they can further empower youth voice at the theater.

Wisconsin Arts Day
An annual activity where students advocate to State Representatives at the Capitol Building in Madison for funding of state arts programming.

A Christmas Carol Family Partner Shopping
Teen Council shopped alongside members of the Milwaukee Rep staff for Christmas gifts that were gifted to underprivileged families in the Milwaukee-area.

Curtain Call Ball
Council members who exhibited professionalism and responsibility attended the Milwaukee Rep’s annual Curtain Call Ball as volunteers, leading guests around the building and serving as ambassadors between the adult patrons of Milwaukee Rep and the council.

Testimonials

“The Teen Council exec board was an amazing outlet for me to hone my leadership and theater management skills in high school. Coming into the Council, I had a strong background in theater and wanted a place to hang out with other passionate performers, but had never thought about the administrative side of theater. Anyone particularly interested in theater management won't find a better-suited pre-college opportunity in Milwaukee.”

Teen

“Teen Council has given me the opportunity to meet other teens who share my love of theatre, and to experience plays through unique Council events. It is really something special.”

Teen

“I am here to experience as much theatre as possible and because I want to do it professionally, I want to see every area possible that is available to someone in the business, and learn about it.”

Teen

“[Teen Council] was all a very positive experience the time that I've spent with it. It was great meeting new people and setting up fun events. I really found it cool how we'd get to see shows for a good price and even talk to some of the cast members! I'd definitely recommend it!”

Teen

“What Milwaukee Rep Teen Council did for me: it became like a springboard. I still have it on my resume and it really does help. I would have never been able to work at The Rep for a whole summer without it or be able to help out with the summer program. It has been such an amazing connection to have in Milwaukee and such an important part of my teen acting career I can't express how much it means for me to be there. I also really think it showed me that there was more out there. My high school did not really teach me the skills or show me what else was out there college wise and Teen Council really helped with that.”

Teen

“Participating in Teen Council has broadened my view of future jobs I can partake in that surround theater, turned me into more of what is going on in the theater community around me and helped me with leadership skills.”

Teen Participant

Contact
For questions or to submit an application:
Jeffrey Mosser
Teen Council Advisor
jmosser@milwaukeerep.com

Fill Out An Application To Participate